Notts-Joe Column: What's required from Jamie Fullarton

I have no doubt in my mind what is required by our new manager Jamie Fullarton, yet I wonder what his assessment of the squad will be - will he agree with us fans that the squad is simply too big?

There's no dismissal that the quality of our defending must improve, it's simply not adequate and if there are any signings to be made during this January transfer window - it must be a centre back.

And I hope that he is sincere when he says that each player will be given a chance, as I feel another priority will be to establish a consistent starting 11.

Whilst it would be also welcoming to see a manager actually work on mistakes which happen within matches, so that the continuity of each player is actually worth their squad number, worthy of a starting position and importantly we may actually see lessons learnt.

However, I don't actually feel we will see any defensive additions, nor do I think we will release any players.

So how will Jamie Fullarton change our misfortunes with his limited experience?

I think the answer will be found with his first opening five games and how frequently he makes changes - will it be a learning period for the club? Absolutely, yet it's important that he hits the ground running.

For myself, I hope we prepare to start games a little more carefully - we see the defence relapse when we push and this occurs even during periods whereby you wouldn't expect it.

Can attacking football be a part of the remedy to fix the issues? Partly, yet our build up play also has to improve.

Our problems aren't just the poor defending, the switching off, or the lack of confidence.

It's also how we pass the ball around, how we look to connect our striker(s) and the frustrating formations which prevented them from having chances under Ricardo Moniz.

I hope Fullarton reverts to playing Jon Stead as a striker, whilst seeing that it is important to make use of our wingers - just as it is to see our centre midfield packed with energy, tracking and creativity.

If he can get the basics right, it would see a vast improvement and I also genuinely believe that he's lucky to have inherited such diverse squad - regardless of how big it is.

We clearly have a talented set of players and it's for him to render it, moulding it into its true potential.

Can he do it without support? Nobody knows, yet I can't be the only one who feels he requires an experienced assistant and someone to help him move forward. So there's plenty to digest around the club, to enable a brighter end to this season.

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