Kevin Nolan: 'Notts County strike force best at club in a long time'

Kevin Nolan has hit out at suggestions that Notts County need reinforcements up front, describing the current strike force as "the best at the club in a long, long time."

Many fans over the last few weeks have called for the Magpies to recruit a new forward, given the mixed form of the ones currently in the role, as well as their advancing ages, while Callum Saunders is believed to be more of a reserve-level player.

However, Nolan thinks the current batch of marksmen are the envy of the rest of League Two, and revealed that many suitable strikers they've been in touch with over the summer either wanted huge money, priced themselves out of a move, or did not feel they could replace the first-team trio.

He is quoted by the Nottingham Post as saying: “We’ve got the best strike force in a long, long, time at this club so everyone should be happy.

“It baffles me because I think if it was any other club in this division, they would be delighted with the strikers we have. They wouldn’t be worrying, but apparently we are.

“I did ring a lot of strikers over the summer and the quality we were looking at either went for big money, or pricing themselves out of a move.

“If people think that I haven’t spoken about strikers, then they are completely wrong. But the reason why nobody has come in is because they don’t feel as if they can replace Jon Stead, Shola Ameobi or Jonathan Forte.

"Then we’ve got Callum Saunders and Alan Smith which is great back-up.

“I know there is a lot of talk about me playing Jonathan Forte but I didn’t have that complaint back in January when I first walked in through the door.

“I am frustrated about being asked about a striker, because I feel we have enough.

“It’s quite funny because everybody who has been promoted, apart from one team in the last 10 years, hasn’t had a 20-goal striker.

“I’ve done my research and I know what I need. If I needed a 20-goal striker, Alan (Hardy) would have given me one – that’s how he works.

“I am delighted with the squad I have. It is hungry, and I feel the more time they spend together, they will get better.

“But if we have to revisit signing players again in January then we will, but it will be our decision and our decision only.”

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