Discussing the first of the new signings, Maynard spoke highly of defender Matty Platt, brought in from Blackburn. "Absolutely delighted that there was a lot of other interest for him," he said, emphasising the hard work by the recruitment team. Platt's technical ability and defensive qualities stood out. "He's one of the most dominant centre-halves in the division.
His defensive qualities have just come on leaps and bounds, and he's a top, top player," Maynard added.
Next in line was Jacob Bedeau who, according to Maynard, brings a different skill set. "I think he's athletic; we know that he can overload teams," the coach explained. Noting Beau's versatile play and one-on-one defending prowess, he mentioned that, "There's so much more development within his game. He’s a really good footballer and has adapted very quickly to men's football."
Goalkeeper Alex Bass joined from AFC Wimbledon, and Maynard couldn't hide his excitement. "He's probably up there in the top three goalies. We know that he's one of the best goalies within the division," he said.
Highlighting Bass's impressive 16 clean sheets, Maynard continued, "We knew that we had to address this in the summer, and Alex was our top target."
On the left-wing, Nick Tsaroulla was another significant addition. "He's someone that can play on both wing backs. His work ethic is incredible for the team," Maynard lauded. Tsaroulla’s dribbling ability and defensive strength in one-on-ones make him a valued asset. "We need to make sure we've got strength and depth," he stated.
Maynard also shed light on the fresh leadership dynamics, naming Macaulay Langstaff as the new captain and Matt Palmer as vice-captain. "Macaulay Langstaff is infectious. His work ethic, professionalism, and the tone he sets for the team makes him an ideal captain," Maynard said. On Palmer's vice-captaincy, he remarked, "Matt is key to everything we do. He's the glue between the back and the front."
The decision to change the captaincy didn’t reflect poorly on the outgoing captain, Kyle Cameron. "Cammy helped massively in getting the club promoted back to the EFL. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was right for us moving forward," said Maynard, expressing high respect for Cameron's capabilities and contributions.
With the preseason almost underway, Maynard shared his anticipation. "Really excited. It’s been a busy summer rebuilding what we knew needed addressing," he said. He assured fans that the club remains committed to its style but hinted at subtle tactical changes. "We want to overload our centre-halves and rotate into different shapes. We've got the right personnel now to do that for us," the coach said.
Lastly, the coach touched upon the club's forward-thinking moves, including using the state-of-the-art 'Nest' facility if England progresses to the knockout stages of the Euros. "It just shows the forward-thinking of the football club, not just on the pitch but off it too. It's all about sustainability as a football club," Maynard concluded.
As Notts County gears up for the new season, the combination of new talents, refined leadership, and strategic planning makes it an exciting time for both the club and its supporters. Fans have every reason to share in their head coach’s optimism.
ARLukomski has shared his insight into Notts County head coach, Stuart Maynard. Give this a read and share your thoughts on 'The Stuart Maynard Evaluation'.
We are also discussing this very catch-up with Stuart Maynard over on our forum. Piethagoram has started a discussion about all the talking points - check it out here!
