If Notts were to win promotion to League One, which players from the current squad would you want to keep? Some might feel that keeping most of the team together is the best way forward, and I would be interested to hear those views.

I would also like to know which players you believe are ready to make the step up and show they can handle the higher level.

On the other hand, which players do you think would need to push themselves harder and prove they belong at that standard?

Alassana Jatta and Jodi Jones are two players I am sure would still be crucial players. I would add Will Jarvis, but I am starting to wonder if he's a real person or if we have dreamt him up.

Matthew Dennis, I think, would show promise, but it's important to have good players opening up those attacking positions, and I do think he would continue to do well if Notts were to gain promotion; Matt Palmer could easily do League One, as I think Scott Robertson would be able to set up.

Conor Grant might be more useful, as League One is less pressured than League Two, and he might find more time to influence matches.

I don't hold much hope for Ollie Norburn to be anything more than a squad player, but he could settle and prove me wrong that he's got more about him. He should be capable of playing League One, but I wouldn't think he'd make my starting 11 often if I were to choose it.

I have my reservations about Jack Hinchy and Mai Traore; however, Traore may thrive in League One for reasons similar to those that benefit Grant.

Keanan Bennetts looks like a good attacking option, but I worry his defensive downfalls wouldn't be all that useful if we were to gain promotion. I would like to see him showing signs of improvement in this area, but I wouldn't think he would be one of the clear candidates.

Nick Tsaroulla and Kellan Gordon are both good players. I really like Tsaroulla and have called for him to be a regular starter, but he is a little inconsistent at times. Far less than Gordon, who is very frustrating as you can see he's capable but doesn't deliver on his ability all that often. Both should be fine at League One level, but Gordon convinces me less.

Lewis Macari still shows a lot of potential, and I think he will be fine.

Lucas Ness gives me doubts based solely on his injury history, but his ability should be good enough; however, I don't think we can carry players who get injured so easily.

Matty Platt and Jacob Bedeau could both be vital defenders, but truth be told, both would need to be more consistent and step up their performances based on this season. Rod McDonald should be perfectly fine to do his role, provided his legs stay strong. Being 33, he should have a few more seasons in him.

Kelle Roos might be perfectly fine; I can't comment on the two other keepers on our books because I haven't seen them enough.

My feeling is that we'd have to do the same as the NL to L2 jump - replace practically the entire team over the course of two seasons.

Inevitably there would be around 3 or 4 survivors or remnants from the current squad - hard to say who, could be pretty random

I agree with @theAnticlough that Notts will have to replace the vast majority of the squad over a period of time to just aim for a middle table side then they will have to push on again to build a side capable of challenging for promotion.

There is a big divide opening up between League one and two. The current Notts players that could transition would be Alassana Jatta, Lewis Macari, Matty Platt, Jodi Jones & maybe Rod McDonald & Matt Palmer, but I'm struggling to think of anyone else other than the current loan players,

Once Notts get promoted I think the summer period would see plenty of incomings and outgoings, even so, the way that Notts tend to spend their money, it is going to be probably a four to five year project before Notts would be ready to challenge for promotion to the Championship.

I think most of the squad will be fine, but key signings across all positions will be needed for Notts to settle as a League One side. The defence will be the main area that needs attention, but the base will likely be a mix of the current regular starters and new additions. I do not want to single out any players as being the ones to step up, as I believe many of them can, but it will depend a lot on the new signings to tidy things up.

This is the problem with too many loan players. They can help you win promotion, but most likely will be gone soon after the season finishes. I think we have a basis for a competitive squad in league 2, but like other successful promoted sides we would need to strengthen during the summer.

I think there's a strong core in the squad that could handle the step up, but it would still need more quality added to avoid slipping back down.

Some players have the ability, but they aren't showing it often enough. That makes it hard to know how they'd cope or grow if Notts were promoted. I was hoping January would be the time to bring in extra depth and really push forward, like we did when Will Jarvis joined.

On 24/09/2025 at 18:45, McPie said:

This is the problem with too many loan players. They can help you win promotion, but most likely will be gone soon after the season finishes. I think we have a basis for a competitive squad in league 2, but like other successful promoted sides we would need to strengthen during the summer.

I agree. Some loan deals could have helped the club build a stronger squad ready for a push towards promotion in January.

Bringing in players early would also give them time to settle, which would make things smoother if we ended up in League One. It would save time and effort in the summer.

Even if promotion didn’t happen, those same players would already be part of the group and could carry on from where they left off. That way, we wouldn’t be starting from scratch again.

It’s a fair question. The current squad has talent, but League One is tougher than League Two. If promotion happens, keep the core players and add multiple solid signings to shore up defence and midfield. That gives us a base to grow into the higher pace and pressure. Avoid a big clear out and rebuild all at once.

NO. This current Squad wouldn't I .M.H.O Survive in League 1 as it's been stated in the Comments, apart from the odd player the Squad would have to be completely Revamped. Jones, Jatta, Palmer, Robertson, Dennis, Bedeau, Tsaroulla, Platt , Macari would form part of the Squad. I'm Not a Big Fan of Loanees either, as it's been quoted Notts will get them for a season, then it's Thankyou off you Pop back to your Parent Club. Two of the Most Important Posts within the Playing Staff, a Vastly Experienced Head Coach and a Captain and Leader On The Pitch, something the Magpies have been lacking in recent seasons. Notts has a Club need to also (whisper it) Bring On It's Own Talent from it's Own Academy.

But of course the Biggest Problem for a Newly Promoted Notts, would be Money. Players will expect a Pay rise, New Experienced EFL Players would have to be Bought and Paid a Decent Wage, and the Higher a Team Climbs the Football Pyramid, the more it's going to cost, and the Club will come to Realize they can't keep relying on Loanees and Free Agents. But that is something to think about at least for another season, because I Don't Think Notts will get Promoted this Season. Always Happy To Be Proven Wrong.

League 1? Not even making any waves in League 2, 10 games in with Patto.

Wasted season again already

The core of the squad should be fine, but there are players who will need to be moved on. Midfield places must be filled with quality rather than numbers. At League One level, I do not think we could cope with the amount of strikers currently being used. You also need two experienced goalkeepers who can win matches on their own.

There are many improvements that must be made, but I believe when the club is ready we will not be battling to stay up. A finish in the lower to mid table feels more realistic.

From that point it all comes down to keeping the key players and sorting contracts early.

16 hours ago, Garry Lee said:

League 1? Not even making any waves in League 2, 10 games in with Patto.

Wasted season again already

There is still plenty that can be improved, but yesterday’s defeat came from a simple mistake rather than poor play. Notts put in a good performance, I just wish Matthew Dennis had not got so caught up in battling with the opposition in such a risky area.

That level of shirt pulling has to be cut out, but as Notts fans we know promotion is never straightforward.