Pre-season is now here and we’ll have a new batch of trialists in, but I was wondering, can you remember the last time we signed a trialist and they turned out to be a good addition to the squad? Or equally did one really impress you and you wished we signed him? For example we should’ve signed Haji Mnoga instead of Robbie Cundy!

I can remember Nathan Tyson scored a load in pre-season but when the proper matches started he wasn’t as effective. And Bostock technically was on trial but that wasn’t during pre-season, it was November so by then and his options would’ve been limited.

And is it risky offering contracts to trialists too? Is it a good way to judge a player? Or can it be misleading if they are trying extra hard to impress over players who are contracted knowing they don’t have to fly into 50-50s, press like mad or try to beat a player every time they get the ball…

I don’t really like trialists that much. Most of the time, they’re not quite ready to play in the first team and just end up on the bench. I know that’s not always true, but I’d rather we bring in players from other teams. That way we get stronger, even if we do give them a go in friendlies before paying for them.

The free players in this case don’t always look that great. They don’t really stand out or feel special.

i think it was our first season back in league two, when we had a trialist who scored and did well in the games that he played. does anyone remember who it was? i think he was a defender. i do see the benefits of trying players, but i do agree they tend to be players teams overlook and are more squad or rotation bound.

I'd rather Notts either get a transfer in by a fee, a player that is out of contract on a free, or a loan player.

Notts should have the data on all these players they are interested in. Having players on trial means to me that Notts are not quite sure about them.

And again, surely Notts would have seen plenty of video of these trialists as well as the data to make an informed decision about a player rather than trial them

I'd rather Notts use that time to bring in players that will strengthen the squad, not ones that they are unsure about.

Having been reminded of the "munto season" by @Fan of Big Tone it jogged my memory about Jorge Andrade the Portuguese centre back, he was on trial with us that pre-season after leaving Juventus! He had suffered a bad injury and was looking to get fit but considering he had 51 international caps and played for Porto and Deportivo La Coruna (when they were good!) it was mad he ended up training with us!

Also I watched the short training video Notts put out earlier but couldn't spot any uncommon looking faces... 🕵‍♂️

The quality players who usually turn up on trial often have injury problems, discipline issues, or something else that’s held them back.

Nathan Tyson had a trial with us before signing, and that was mostly because of concerns over his fitness and injury record. But for the level we were at, he was always going to be a good addition given the limited choices we had up front.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with trialists. It gives lesser-known players a chance to be judged on how they play and what they can do, rather than just their background or past clubs.

Mark Fotheringham.



No? 🤣

Trying out players on trial can help the head coach or manager see where they might fit in. It’s a good way to spot what a player offers and whether they bring something different to the group. People often get caught up in finding like-for-like replacements. But sometimes, a player with different qualities can change how the team plays for the better.