Mid-Season Notts County Player-by-Player Review

The start of this years campaign, especially pre-season seemed a million miles away at the beginning and the slow build-up – although not uncommon, it did seem slower than normal. As I waited for signings to be announced, I hoped that by this stage we might be on verge on gaining promotion however, at the moment in time this seems far away.

My entail optimism only peaked once signings like Scot Bennet, Gill Swerts and Scott Loach had been made.

In this article, I will give a player-by-player review and share my thoughts on the main ones.

Roy Carroll – Was a shining light in the previous campaign, however I do share similar concerns regarding performances put in by the Magpies number one, although he often keeps us within games, I just find him to be largely inconsistent – yet to be fair, this may improve with a steady back four willing to protect our goal.

Verdict – B. It’s easy to point the finger, however without some of his spectacular saves we may be in some serious trouble considering the amount of goals conceded but I have no doubts, he must step it up.

Mawouna Amevor – Looked very promising at Stevenage, the towering defender looked quite ideal for League Two – however I largely feel he hasn’t been given a fair chance and hopefully under our new manager he will.

Verdict – C. He just hasn’t given us a glimpse of what he can do, yet I firmly believe he may be part of the solution once settled.

Haydn Hollis – The young, home-grown prospect has been out of favour since losing his confidence in the earlier part of the season but against Oxford United recently – I felt he has shown exactly why he’s useful to have around.

Verdict – C. He needs to focus on his distribution and concentration, yet I must praise him for being one of the only defenders to timely place last-ditch tackles and I do believe more will come with time.

Mike Edwards – A player that no doubt many didn’t expect to see feature as much as he has done so far, yet he’s shown us why he earned the nickname the ‘phoenix’ and some of his goals have been crucial within this campaign – he just needs to complete his first hat trick!

Verdict – C+. There’s no dispute that ‘Steady Eddie’ has lost his pace, yet his awareness and calm influence at the back has largely helped.

Elliot Hewitt – Another player who has pleasantly surprised us so far this season, he looks a brilliant prospect and his general game is a joy to watch considering he’s a defender. Since his first start, I believe he sums up what we require from more players whom don’t regularly start – you must take what chances you get and he has done.

Verdict – B. I agree his defence side could largely improve but I genuinely believe this will with time. Going forward he’s smart and isn’t afraid to contribute, yet the most promising thing for me is his versatility and dedication towards making important runs.

Gill Swerts – One of the players I thought liked sheer class pre-season and I felt he would have established himself as a fan favourite by now. However, this isn’t the case and he has largely found himself expelled from the starting line-up.

Verdict – D. Being played out of position hasn’t helped, neither has being repeatedly moved around. As a right back, he looked a far different player than that of a left or centre back.

Thierry Audel – Another player I hoped to see better from, however unlike Swerts – I cannot say the same about Audel and he has been largely disappointing for me. When he shows greatness, it’s often deflected by his inability to make the right decision when it comes to his distribution and I find his first touch requiring greater focus, as I do with his passing.

Verdict – D. Simply not good enough so far, by far one of the most frustrating players but largely because you can see he’s a talented player.

Alan Sheehan – His return symbolized something majorly lacking the 2015/16 squad and that is passion, belief in his own ability and pride for the shirt hes worn whilst on loan.

Verdict – B. Please sign him up, so we can see him further help improve the back four.

Alan Smith – For a period, he looked to be getting increasingly useful and his crunching tackles are something I feel gives Notts a presence on the field. However, his form seems to dip and likewise does his ability to fit in.

Verdict – D. Unarguably he could be far more consistent if used as a rotational player, I personally would prefer to see him utilized in games, which require his no nonsense approach.

Curtis Thompson – No doubt he should have featured far more under Ricardo Moniz, his energy and hunger is clear as day. He isn’t afraid to work hard for the team and it’s pleasing to see him score this season, I firmly believe with the right centre pairing he would continue to dazzle Notts fans.

Verdict – C+. His confidence dipped a bit mid-way through but with the chance, he will continue work hard and overcome these obstacles in my opinion.

Liam Noble – Has come into his element within League Two, with his attitude and influence being key in stages. Despite the two red cards and three yellows, he has given many moments of brilliance and offers so much more than goals. He is a true leader within our midfield and the passion which elites his game is showing us - we must use this to our advantage.

Verdict – B. We need him for selection, there are no arguments about that and he just needs to be a little more wiser.

Stanley Aborah – One of the best signings to have worn a Notts shirt for some time, he could easily fit within a lower to mid-tier Championship team. His passing, movement and skill provides us the entertainment we have lacked. With a more consistent Notts County, I believe Stanley could be a player which enables us to push for promotion.

Verdict – B+. Just brilliant, keep him fit and available – we could build around him and finally move forward.

Graham Burke – Despite being another player who’s youth career I had followed, I wasn’t keen on this signing as I wasn’t sure where he could feature but on merit it has proven to be a useful squad addition and within time – the glimpses we see in games, like against his former club Aston Villa – it will highlight just how wise this purchase was.

Verdict – C+. Prior to the dip in our form and confidence, I think Burke would be pushing for a B – yet he’s drifted out of things as of lately and we need to see his spark return.

Adam Campbell – When some questioned his height, I instantly knew what an asset Campbell could be for us if we could feature him wisely. Having followed his career at Newcastle, the signing pleased me and he gives us electricity with his rapid pass and if he can perfect his finishing (which anyone who’s seen his youth career will know he’s got within locker) he will go on to further prove himself.

Verdict – B+. He’s proven he can play on the wing, recently hasn’t contributed what I believe he can but no doubt he’s worth his weight in gold (and more). As a fan recently told me during ‘Meet the Fans’ he’s got the appearance of being a value marketable assist (which is rare for us).

Jon Stead – One of the signings, which I argued at the start of the season, he wouldn’t get us goals. Which on reflection seems harsh but true. What he gives us is a player upfront willing to give 100%, yet that said, I would prefer to see him partner McLeod and remain an option upfront – rather than drifting back or onto the flank.

Verdict – C. He could be more lethal as a striker, we know he has an eye for goal and a pass but sadly, by the time chances come – he often seems too tired.

Izale McLeod – Honestly? He frustrates the life out of me. He has the talent, which is present with confidence and when we play to his strengths, he’s a good natural striker. Yet for me, his constant diving (or going down easily) just punishes us and it’s not necessary. Whilst he goes absent far too often in games, yet he is what he is.

Verdict – C+. He gets the goals, which we have been missing, and likewise with Aborah we can build around him – yet I hope he works on the negative side of his game a little more.

Within the upcoming days, I will publish another catching up on some of the players I haven’t featured and of course who could do a job for us – if we decide to tweak our squad better.

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