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Notts County’s Luke Williams on Building a Competitive Squad for League Two

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By PON_News

Notts County manager Luke Williams has revealed his thoughts on the importance of having a balanced and competitive squad ahead of the new season.

The Magpies are looking to build on their successful campaign that saw them finish second in the National League, after winning the playoff final against Chesterfield. Williams, who took over from Ian Burchnall in June 2022, has been busy reshaping his squad with several new signings and departures.

One of the key areas that Williams has focused on is ensuring that he has enough depth and quality in every position to cope with the demands of a long and gruelling season. He believes that having a strong bench and a variety of options will give him more flexibility and creativity to change games and adapt to different situations.

He also wants to avoid having players who are unhappy or frustrated with their lack of involvement, as that can have a negative impact on the team spirit and morale.

In an interview with Notts County, Williams shared his views on how he is pleased with the depth across all positions in all areas. "We don’t want to have players that spend long periods not being involved. 

"It’s awful for a player and terrible for the atmosphere around the place to have players that are backed up a long way behind three or four players and hoping for a miracle to get near the team," he said.

Williams also spoke about how seven substitutes will be a refreshing change for him next year.

"We many times had no goalkeeper on the bench so we have five outfield players now we will almost definitely have a goalkeeper and six so we have one extra outfield player in reality often we have one extra outfield player to what we had last season but this is huge because it can be a player that can be a completely different option to all of the other players on the bench," he said.

He continued, "Last season you had to make a call to leave somebody completely out so more options for me is fantastic and it gives us a chance to have more dynamic ways of changing the game off."

The manager is optimistic about the potential for squad depth to help Notts County maintain their momentum in the upcoming season.

"We potentially can move the pack around and still retain what we are," he said.

Williams also praised the attitude and work ethic of his players, who have been working hard in pre-season training to prepare for the new challenges ahead. He said that he has been impressed by their commitment and desire to improve and learn from their mistakes.

He also said that he has seen signs of improvement and cohesion in their performances in the training matches so far.

He added, "The players have been fantastic, they have been very receptive to everything we have asked them to do. They have shown great character and resilience, especially after some tough results last season. They have come back with a positive mindset and a hunger to do better. They have also shown some good quality and understanding on the pitch, which is encouraging."

Williams hopes that his squad depth will give him an edge over his rivals in League Two, as he aims to guide Notts County back to League One. He said that he is confident that he has a squad that can compete with anyone in the division, and that he is looking forward to the start of the season.

He concluded, "We have a lot of competition for places, which is healthy and good for the team. We have players who can play in different positions and systems, which gives us more options and versatility. We have players who can make an impact from the bench, which can be crucial in tight games. We have players who are hungry and motivated, which is vital for success. We have a squad that I believe in and trust, and I can’t wait to see them in action."

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts and predictions before and after our friendly against Nuneaton Borough. Let’s show our support for the team!

Adam Summerton has shared his thoughts on League 2. Do you agree with his views? Let us know in the comments!

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liampie

when did we last have a squad like this? there are players who would make my starting 11, but others who could come in at any point. there are no players that have been signed who i dont think could start or be a key player. this is the first time in ages that i believe we have had so much depth in this area.

luke williams is building well and i just appreciate his views on this. hes leading by example.

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allardyces tash

Wise words from Luke Williams. It’s going to be a long season, and at least this time around we are prepared to make the players work for their places in the squad. It’s good that we have all four areas of the pitch covered, although there is a slight belief that we may require someone to rival Adam Chicksen and perhaps another quicker centre-back.

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CliftonMagpie

At first, I was disappointed for Tiernan Brooks when Aidan Stone was signed, but this could be just what we need to push Brooks closer to the starting 11. I think he’s the ideal long-term replacement for Sam Slocombe, without having seen Stone play, of course.

On paper, our midfield is strong and well-equipped to attack. Defensively, we should have improved, but I still think this is an area where we can add some depth. I know we have Richard Brindley, but I prefer him out wide, although he will most likely be a centre defender in the 3-pairing that Williams prefers.

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thommo

I completely agree with Luke's approach on squad depth. Having various options on the bench could indeed give us that edge in tight situations.

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JIMBO

It's absolutely paramount to be able to change the game and adapt to different situations. We've seen so many teams with potential falter because they lacked that adaptability. Good to see our manager is focusing on this.

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KingMaynard

Having flexibility and creativity to change games and adapt to different situations is a crucial aspect of any successful football team. It's great to see that Luke Williams recognises this and is building his squad accordingly. I'm really excited for the upcoming season!

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NottsTastic

Under Williams' guidance, the players' resilience and positive mindset are clearly shining through. Success hinges heavily on the mindset of the players and their commitment towards improvement. These insights from Williams instill a lot of confidence in the potential of the squad to deliver great performances.

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RetroPie

After reading this, I feel optimistic about our chances in the League Two. Williams seems to have a solid plan in place, focusing on not just maintaining a competitive squad but also ensuring all players feel heard and valued. It's clear he realises the psychological aspects play as significant a role as the physical skills and abilities.

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Sirrels County

Williams' proactive approach to team building is encouraging. His focus on player morale is invaluable as it fosters the positive culture the team needs to thrive. This makes me hopeful that Notts will not only succeed on the pitch, but also cultivate a respectful and inclusive environment off the pitch.

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TheSkipper

Luke Williams knows what works. He’s a good talker and can get the players to understand the importance of his message. I think the depth and ability to rotate will help us out no end. It’s important to be ready for anything, so at least we have covered those unknowns and can go into the season with a full squad ready to take on League Two.

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Fan of Big Tone

We’ve got a great squad with real competition for places which is obviously really good to keep the players who have the shirt at any one time performing to their peak because they know if they don’t perform there’s another great player chomping at the bit to take their place.

Its also very important to have capable players in every department ready to step up in the event of injuries.

 

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ExiledPie

It's reassuring to know that Williams is being proactive in avoiding any negative impact on the team spirit. Having unhappy or frustrated players can indeed lead to a drop in morale and also impact overall performance.

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