Super Danny Allsopp: Contract extension signings are testament to good atmosphere at Notts County

Piethagoram stands back and takes a broader view of the contracts situation. It says more about our lacking in recruitment research than anything positive to the players that have re-signed. How many more times will we suffer needless penalties being given away by Duffy and Hollis? Lack of challenges by Hewitt, the tearing apart of him by Kyle Bennett at Portsmouth unfortunately lives long in the memory. Curtis was a bit part player yet Richards isn't offered a contract renewal and is told to earn it in pre season training?

I have confidence in Nolan but feel that we have been not tough enough in recognising the limitations of the existing squad

Curtis Thompson can do well when played in his natural position unhindered by injury, he's one of them I would like to see fight for his place - he's done it before though. I assume Richards won't be released regardless, but I don't think he will fit into our starting 11. He needs to gain experience and loaning him out seems the most ideal solution.

It's a positive sign when all the renewed contract players speak highly of the management at Notts.

Previous seasons we was told that x and y would sign, only for them to join other rivals or even taking a step above into League One - so I'm inclined to agree with SDA on this.

We most certainly need another forward. There is no way that Ameobi and Stead would be able to play in every game. 

I agree fully with Piethagoram and strongly disagree with this article.

@mr_notts_county Glad I am not a lone voice. These were the same players that were in the team 2nd from bottom heading downwards. My rule of thumb, is that say on last season, how many times were they individually better than their opposite number? I rest my case

How many of our current side would get into the Mansfield team (LAST SEASON) before their impressive signings?

I think people forget that football is largely a mental game.

This past retained list largely made sense to me, there is albeit one or two changes I would have made personally - yet on paper we have a decent spine to the pre-existing squad. Also, nobody forced the players to extend their stay and if they hadn't - I am convinced people would be responding differently.

The same players who saw Notts dip into the relegation zone are also the same players that started off quite brightly and turned things around under Kevin Nolan.

I hardly think we would go down the route of dispersing the whole interior squad.

Whilst I do think we certainly need more quality in terms of creativity and playmaking, as I have also mentioned we do require a young striker - these are things which can be addressed given the time.

I'm really not sure we can go about signing players based on if they would or not get into the Mansfield squad, I'm sure other clubs don't compare in this fashion but the facts are we need to give the players time under Kevin Nolan. We need to trust his judgement, we should support the players - including Curtis Thompson and Hadyn Hollis.

Lastly, I don't get why the poor form is always labelled the players fault. We was doing alright until the 'takeover' crept in and the circus reappeared. John Sheridan has to take his portion of the blame as do others.

i am lost for words, we have not even kicked a ball yet. i think sda makes some valid points and the players who have been offered deals may have gone elsewhere but decided to stay here.

wow...

@liampie Normally it comes out in the press, if players are being sought by other clubs. Shola and Stead aside, I didn't see any "talks" with other clubs for the rest. In order to challenge for promotion, we need quality and going with the defence that has let us badly down last season is not a good omen for things to come. A realistic Piethagoram

There's nothing wrong with keeping the existing framework in place, the end of last season shows it does have potential and we have the advantage that the team has already "gelled". But a lot will depend on the new players we now bring in - they all need to be at least candidates for the first 11. We can't rely on Ameobi and Stead all season, and I'd like to see at least one new centre-half who can add some leadership and organisation at the back. The defence has needed surgery for years and I'd feel happer if there was at least talk of us strengthening in that area.

We need strengthening and extra additions, though I do feel we can take this as they go - if we haven't signed anyone soon I would expect trials to be offered for the pre-season friendlies.