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Last seasons squad - The right move?


Super_Danny_Allsopp

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To take a look back to last season, a lot of the players we had have moved on (or been moved on - depending how you look at it). Was it the right move for them, and more importantly, was it the move right for Notts County?

Bartosz Bialkowski - Our No.1 joined Ipswich on a free, with rumoured sell on clauses. After first struggling to displace Ipswich keeper Gerken, Bart has gone on to establish himself as No.1 in an Ipswich side doing very well in the Championship, with a string of impressive performances. An excellent shot stopper at his time with Notts, he would not always give you too much confidence with his command of the area and coming for crosses.

Right move for him? Yes. For us? Undecided - Carroll is a great keeper, and if we end up getting a fee, it might have been worth it.

Alan Sheehan - Captain, and for the dark days of last season, he was one of the only ones that looked like he gave a monkeys. His ability to play well in CB also helped us a lot. However, Sheehan seems to have a big ego, and every season he wants more money. Sheehan decided that after narrowly avoiding relegation, he deserved a massive wage increase. Notts thought otherwise. Sheehan decided to try and engineer a big wage at Sheffield United, but that failed to materialise. A move to Bradford followed, reportedly on only 100£p/w over what Notts' had offered him. He now warms their bench and is a bit-part player.

Right move for him? No. For us? Yes - We don't need his ongoing saga of constant wage demands and throwing his toys out when he doesn't get it.

Gary Liddle - Spent a lot of last season injured, and we sorely missed him. When he was back in the side we were a much better force. Departed for pastures new, supposedly to be closer to his family, and is a prominent member of Braford's starting line-up.

Right move for him? Yes. For us? No - We could do with him in the centre of the park.

Manny Smith - A bit of a strange one. Could have absolute stormers of games, where he would dominate opposing players. However, also spent a lot of time 'star-gazing' or 'day-dreaming', and a lack of concentration and/or positional awareness was always his downfall. Now plays for conference side Wrexham.

Right move for him? Yes - Wouldn't get a game. For us? Yes - Same reason.

Dean Leacock - Another flop. There was nothing to suggest that Leacock couldn't, or wasn't, a good L1 defender. His attitude was that of a minimum wage, overworked, toilet cleaner at McDonalds. Head constantly down, no fight, no passion. Who thought this bloke was good material for a captain?! Joined Crawley, who have one of the worst defences in L1 this season.

Right move for him? Yes - Not wanted. For us? Yes - Same reason.

Gareth Roberts - Bit/part player drafted in to plug a gap temporarily. Moved to Chester in the conference.

Right move for him? Yes. Us? Yes.

Jack Grealish - What a fantastic player this boy is. Seems to glide past opponents with ease, keeps the ball well and draws a lot of fouls. Destined for a big future. Rejoined Aston Villa after his loan spell, and comes off the bench in the Premier League.

Right move for him/us? Jack, come back. (Titanic?!)

Callum McGregor - Another great loanee from last season. His goals in the first half of the season almost certainly kept us in the league. Without them, we would be playing Accrington Stanley in L2 (No disrespect intended). Rejoined Celtic and similarly to Jack, comes off the bench in the SPL or starts lesser games.

Right move for him? Yes. For us? Wouldn't it be great to get him back on loan, again, please?!

Jamal Campbell-Ryce - A frustrating, yet at times, brilliant player. Could beat a man with ease, however always had an annoying attribute on wanting to repeatedly skin a man when there was no need. This was especially annoying during the first half of last season. However, was instrumental in our turn of form and played some absolute peach games, where he was almost unstoppable. Joined Sheffield United, sometimes plays, sometimes warms the bench.

Right move for him? Undecided. For us? Undecided - We could do with his creativity on the wing.

Mark Fotheringham - Where to start? An excellent trial period meant that Mark landed a contract (and a lot of fans agreed with this). That is where it ended for Mark. A string of rubbish performances, and well..... yeah... I don't know what else to say. Moved to Fulham in the Championship (Best agent ever?!). Played one game, not seen since.

Right move for him? Yes - thank your agent, Mark. For us? Yes - We just needed rid.

Andre Boucaud - Inconsistent, is the exact word to describe Andre. At best, a good eye for a pass and an excellent player. Normally? You didn't know he was on the pitch. Moved to Dagenham and Redbridge in L2.

Right move for him? Yes. For us? Yes.

Enoch Showunmi - Started off last season brightly with a couple of decent goals. However, as the season went on, it was hard to imagine we once considered paying 100k (!!!) for him. Lucky escape. Went to Wealdstone FC - 'You want 'shum?!', who loaned him out to Canvey Island. Who are they you ask? I don't know either.

Right move him? I guess. For us? Yes.

I've missed out a couple of loan signings as they didn't really play a big part in the season as a whole.

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I agree with all your calls, they're spot on mate.

This is an excellent blog, really insightful and it allows us to see just how far we have came, comparing to what we miss. If we can stay above Bradford then we would have done well and mostly Liddle might have some sort of regrets, especially if we do eventually go up and he doesn't.

Great piece bud!

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it would be nice to get mcgregor and grealish back but its not going to happen.

i also think this is very spot on, tho i am unsure about sheehan and his contract rumours. he was a good player for us, yet he did seem to question loyalty.

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I think we have been missing the more experienced and quality players we had last season.

For me Dean Leacock should never be allowed to wear a football shirt, he just plays for the money and no self pride. He is not a footballer but a mercenary.

In the community the other day I said we lacked the quality of some of the players who have moved on, probably the match thread. I think I would take Campbell-Ryce back on considering we need someone with pace, at least he could get the odd cross in and score. Good blog

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Great blog mate, only just realised it was there sorry!!


 


Agree with all apart from JCR, flattered to deceive and only started playing when he knew his contract was up, so in my book that makes him a bell end


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