This is my recruitment doc for the January transfer window. Any feedback is appreciated, as is any time taken to read it. Thank you

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Notts January Recruitment Doc 2026 2.pdf

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Thanks for sharing I really enjoyed reading it even though nearly all the names are new to me.

Some of the attacking midfielder options sound exciting. Would playing in Ireland be a good enough apprenticeship? Thinking about the players who've excelled in that position for Notts and their pedigree e.g. Arsenal or the Dutch league.

Edited December 18Dec 18 by Sheffield Pie
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This looks a very good document. I would get your CV to Footbal Radar ASAP before the transfer window closes!

Good to see the Analyst's Bar crew still active. I've always enjoyed anything they put out there.

Excellent too.

Only criticism is how did The Futures ("Future") page wordings escape the word checking edit😉

I would actually pay money to Shrewsbury to get Will Brook

Excellent @ARLukomski a lot of time and work has gone into producing this document, congratulations to all involved.

If the present squad keep winning I think that any player bought in the January window will have to fight for his place. Martin will probably start these players on the bench if he believes they will strengthen the side.

I'm sure that Martin will have had a big say on the type of player that he wants. The Squad is demonstrating all the traits that Martin wants. Any new player will have to demonstrate these traits too.

We also have to bear in mind that new players have to gel with their fellow teammates & this takes time. It took our present players at least 10 matches to gel together.

I agree @Robbie 1) The January window isn't the summer window in that it's more difficult to bring in players who will lead and transform your team and 2) that's the way MP manages his team anyway and we love him for it, based on performance and merit.

It's surprising actually how operating on these basic, old-fashioned principles, helps the squad come together. Everyone knows where they stand. Compared to favouritism or the coach thinking they're the important one and can win games thru their schemes and chopping and changing.

Attacking Midfield/ Inside-forward is the greatest position of need this window.

My dream acquisition? Ruben on a half-season loan!

Montague has recruited him before and it's a contender for his greatest ever Notts signing. I can't work out what's happening at Vitoria. I even have a Brazilian contact over there and he wasn't able to find out either! He never features, not even on the 12 strong bench.

Ruben slotting in there with Dennis and Jatta as options ahead of him - Palmer and Robbo to find him, would be an ideal fit. There might be all kinds of reasons why this is a non-starter, but as a minimum Monty should at least ask the question.

I think we need to recruit players in the attacking midfield areas, players that can run with the ball through the centre of the pitch. and create opportunities for Jatta and Dennis and provide passes to feet, especially for Dennis who has good close control in and around the box.

A very good in depth read as usual, lot's of players I'm not too familiar with, especially in the Irish Leagues but I love seeing all the stats and how they compare.

In terms of the keepers I’ve no idea why Finlay Herrick’s loan got cut short, maybe to get him playing at a higher level but I’d be happy to see him at Meadow Lane. I like the sound of Harry Tryer too, I think having just played 38 matches in League 1 it shows he’s got something about him. And being out of contract too he’s probably the only keeper we could realistically sign permanently.

I’d be keeping on eye on Braybrooke (the midfielder on loan at Newport) some good similarities to Matt Palmer when it comes to comparing his stats. In terms of a dream number 6, Max Sanders from Crewe, he’s out of contract in the summer but give how well he’s doing this season I think we’d need to go up to make that one happen.

I think the attacking midfield position will be key, we've not heard much about Luker's recovery but given he required surgery it's clearly long-term. I don't know if we've filled our overseas quota and if we haven't I wouldn't be surprised if we looked even further than just the UK and Ireland for this position.

I'd be more than happy adding someone like Matt Rush from the National League upfront. There's also a player in the National League North called Ricardo Rees who's out scoring Langstaff's numbers at that level at the moment, with 24 goals in 22 matches. Hardly a hidden gem with figures like that but you never know how these players would cope with the step up. For example Jaze Kabia who now plays for Grimsby played in the National League South for Truro last season, he only scored 16 goals in 44 matches but he's coped with the step up quite well scoring 5 goals in the league and 5 goals in both cup competitions already.

Great read. Thank you.

On 21/12/2025 at 02:05, theAnticlough said:

Attacking Midfield/ Inside-forward is the greatest position of need this window.

My dream acquisition? Ruben on a half-season loan!

Montague has recruited him before and it's a contender for his greatest ever Notts signing. I can't work out what's happening at Vitoria. I even have a Brazilian contact over there and he wasn't able to find out either! He never features, not even on the 12 strong bench.

Ruben slotting in there with Dennis and Jatta as options ahead of him - Palmer and Robbo to find him, would be an ideal fit. There might be all kinds of reasons why this is a non-starter, but as a minimum Monty should at least ask the question.

I don't want to poo-poo your idea but he'll be on nothing short of 5-10k a week, which means we'll be no way near.

1 minute ago, piedestrian said:

I don't want to poo-poo your idea but he'll be on nothing short of 5-10k a week, which means we'll be no way near.

I'm more interested in finding out why he doesn't play football. You'd assume serious injury, it's been so long, but I've been unable to find anything so far

A very well curated and meticulously thought about. I'd love a few players off here, the more mysterious, the better.

One player mentioned is Rio Clegg at Radcliffe which from one clip I've seen looks raw but a decent prospect.

16 minutes ago, piedestrian said:

I don't want to poo-poo your idea but he'll be on nothing short of 5-10k a week, which means we'll be no way near.

I dug a bit harder, with the help of my daughter :) Ruben has been released, so let's see where he goes. I'd imagine it's back to Europe

https://muitainformacao.com.br/esporte/vitoria-renova-com-quatro-atletas-dispensa-estrangeiros-e-inicia-ajustes-para-2026/

Edited yesterday at 18:271 day by theAnticlough

7 minutes ago, theAnticlough said:

I'm more interested in finding out why he doesn't play football. You'd assume serious injury, it's been so long, but I've been unable to find anything so far

Well I'd hesitate to say that he's not a top league player. He was only playing in England's 5th tier until recently. I see you've just mentioned that he's been released - I hope he finds a good base for himself, but obviously would love him back here.

1 minute ago, piedestrian said:

Well I'd hesitate to say that he's not a top league player. He was only playing in England's 5th tier until recently. I see you've just mentioned that he's been released - I hope he finds a good base for himself, but obviously would love him back here.

The 5th tier was never his level, so top marks to Montague on that one. He was a regular in a L1 promotion team and then played in the Championship. He was probably desperate to have a go at top tier football, but Brazil was probably too ambitious. I'd guess he could play top tier in places like Chile, Scotland, Scandinavia, maybe places like Switzerland or even MLS, dunno. There's no shame though in plying your trade in English L1. But at 29 who can blame him for taking the highest wage, wherever that might be.

Maybe a few months with us might put himself in the shop window for another Championship team to take a punt. Oxford even, De Buckingham liked him but Rowett didn't pick him, but he's just been sacked.

I've been one of those calling for Dennis to start with Jatta but I don't think that both playing together works every time and it didn't work against , Chesterfield.

I also think that choosing the same starting eleven every week against different sides can sometimes work in favour of the opposition. Sometimes it's better to keep the opposition guessing.

Modern football is a squad game & sometimes it's better to put some fresh legs out there. Kouhyar always impresses when he comes on. I think heed needs to be given a start.

Maybe worth giving Jatta a rest and starting Dennis supported by Hall against MK Dons.