14 Summer Signings. Who's made the biggest impact?

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Notts had a very busy transfer window in the summer, Eleven signings in the close season & three after the season started. 

Players that helped Notts get promoted from the National league were released.

So we are nearly a third of the way into the 2024/25 season. So my PON colleagues, which player or players out of the 14 players that Notts signed this summer have made the biggest impact in your opinion?

I didn't include Jatta because he was signed in January.

A reminder of the players that were signed.

Robbie Cundy, Matty Platt, Jacob Bedeau, Rod McDonald, Lucas Ness, Nick Tsaroulla, Kellan Gordon, Alex Bass, George Abbott, Jack Hinchy, Curtis Edwards, Josh Martin, Jevani Brown & Conor Grant.

I will give my own assessment later on in the thread.

 

[CliftonMagpie]

It's easy to say that Jacob Bedeau looks like a real class defender. He should be able to step up with us as he already has League One experience. For me, it would be between him, Matty Platt, and Alex Bass. I think each of them has fitted in so well, and we look like a different team at the back. Whereas defence cost us last season, this campaign it's the defence keeping us up at the top. I do think Nick Tsaroulla looks class, but I am sceptical of Kellan Gordon. He didn't do much against Newport, and he is one of those very frustrating types of players who never seem to show their actual ability consistently. Conor Grant and Curtis Edwards, especially Edwards, could have been in the running had it not been for their injuries. They are good signings, but I feel Robbie Cundy and Josh Martin aren't really good enough.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

To answer my own question I will answer it in two parts.

The big difference between last season is our defence. A bit of a no brainer. 

What's so great about our defence this season is how our defence and defensive midfield have gelled together.

Of the new players, Goalkeeper Alex Bass, & defenders, Matty Platt, & Jacob Bedeau have formed a great understanding in such a short time.

Alex Bass is a rock between the sticks & all three players compliment each other so well.

Loanee, George Abbott has established himself in the centre of midfield & he supports those three players so well.

So of my four best picks, Platt, Bass, Bedeau & Abbott, my number one is simply Matty Platt for his very good consistent performances every match. Although it was very close between them.

Of the other new players, Tsaroulla just missed a top five spot, Edwards & Grant played well till they got injured.

Defenders, McDonald & Ness were injured but are now on their way back, & what we have seen of Ness he could challenge for a back three spot soon.

Of the other players I haven't mentioned the jury is out on whether they will feature except from off the bench.

[menzinho]

I think there are four very obvious stand out choices in Bass, Bedeau, Platt and Abbott. All have featured a lot and played very well too.

I think Tsaroulla is a good player, but he’s not quite clicking for us in the final third. We play him like he's Jodi though and I don't think that always plays to his strengths. Gordon is a bit 50/50 for me, possibly being played more on the left isn’t helping but then he played on the right when he came on against Newport and looked average. Could say the same about Jevani Brown, he’s not been terrible, but no goals or assists in the league is poor, especially when you consider his position.

Hard to say much about the rest due to not seeing enough of them. Hinchy looks like a player who’s played a lot of academy football, technically good but a touch off the pace at times in a proper competitive game. He is young and will improve. Edwards was very lively and good on the ball, I liked him when he played just behind the striker. Grant is like an attacking midfield version of Matty Palmer, doesn’t ever really give the ball away and just links play up nicely. Ness has performed well in recently and McDonald looks more than capable from his limited appearances too.

Cundy is possibly a tad unnecessary now, he’s not mobile enough to play in the RCB/LCB roles for me. He is only on a one-year deal, we might even let him go in January. I expect Martin will go in January though as his contract expires then. I think he doesn’t start at wingback because he isn’t trusted defensively, he is more attack minded but the fact we’ve struggled for goals recently and haven’t bought him on is pretty telling.

[liampie]

alex bass for me, hes been a huge relief in goal and his mistakes never seem to cost us. he always makes up for them and he is a very solid keeper who should only get better. i dont think most players have been all that bad, only one or two have fallen short. its good to see jevani brown stepping up, because he always seemed to have the ability but his confidence needed work. matty platty and jacob bedeau are the best centre backs we have had in years.