The 3/4 season mark passed last week, 10 games to go.... Who are your players of the season so far?

It's an almost impossible task to choose this season. It's so close, there's going to be blanket finish at the post. Players who have played the most haven't played at the highest levels (Bedeau, Iorpenda). The best performers have all had long spells out (McDonald, Palmer, Robertson, Platt, Jatta). Players somewhere between in games played are also between in level of play (Tsaroulla, Macari).

What to value more, quality or quantity? If pushed, I'd say the gap in games played is so great that I'll favour those who have played the most... and discount the players who have played less than half the games - McDonald, or only just over - Palmer (and Robbo). But If both play the last 10 to their previous form they could still win it.

So my top five as it stands is

5) Lewis Macari (28 league apperances)

He's been a model of consistency, defending solidly and using the ball really well. His partnership on the right with Tsaroulla is one of the strengths of the team. Their understanding has really thrived as the season's gone on. I don't know if he's as appreciated as he should be. IMO, he's actually the type of player clubs a bit higher up would look at. For Football Radar's model to work, we'd promote and then sell a player like Macari and we have replacements lining up (Ness and Browne). You have to believe in him and pick him first though.

4) Alessano Jatta (24 league appearances)

Our best player. It's been a disaster that he's missed so many matches. When fit and on song, he stands out as just too good for L2. His MoM when we beat Cambridge at home 2-0 scoring both is the best individual performance of our season IMO. He has had bad games and poor spells, but we know it's not just his attacking play and goal scoring. On his day, he can hold it up and link the play exceptionally well. The same with his defensive work - on his day, he might be the best defensive CF in the league

3) Matty Platt (22 league appearances)

His first 3 games were uncharacteristically poor but you have to say he's been outstanding since he came back on the 18 game mark. He's headed, intercepted and cleared everything. Nobody seems to really get the better of him. He's been decent on the ball too.

2) Tom Iorpenda (36 league appearances)

The first of the ever-presents on the list. I'd call him 'the groundsman' because he covers every single blade of grass. Just noticed I wrote this last time in November.

Being allowed to settle in CM, then getting his first senior goal has pushed him to a higher level. After a great start to the season, his form dipped but he's definitely shaken that off now. I don't see how the skipper and Robbo get straight back in.

Maybe that's where we went wrong. We should've kept him there.

1) Jacob Bedeau (36 league appearances)

An ever-present and another really consistent performer, especially defensively as a one-on-one defender.

NGL, he's number one because nobody else can match his overall contribution and I agree with those that say he was better last season under Maynard. But for a game-in game-out reliable performer, who captained the side really well in MP's absence, maybe this is the season to value consistency and availability and give the POTs to him.

Who do other PON members have on their lists?

The players that feature on the leaderboard for the most PON Man of the match gongs are as follows.

Iorpenda 6

Platt 4

Palmer 3

Robertson 3

Jatta 3

Tsaroula 3

McDonald 3

There are several players on two wins & a few on 1 win each.

Nick Tsaroulla, Jacob Bedeau, and Tom Iorpenda are among my choices so far. I am going to think about it a little more, because sometimes the three that jump out, aren't always a fair reflection of the team and indidual peformances. I think if Rod McDonald had not got injured he would be up there, alongside Matt Palmer and Scott Robertson but they have had their involvement impacted.

@Robbie thanks for doing that...I think that says a lot about Iorpenda's season. Plattand RodMac too from limited games

I actually have a note of all of my MoMs. I'll tot them up and post to compare.

8 minutes ago, Chris said:

Nick Tsaroulla, Jacob Bedeau, and Tom Iorpenda are among my choices so far. I am going to think about it a little more, because sometimes the three that jump out, aren't always a fair reflection of the team and indidual peformances. I think if Rod McDonald had not got injured he would be up there, alongside Matt Palmer and Scott Robertson but they have had their involvement impacted.

Agree with all of that, Chris. Especially the point about RodMac...he was so good in those first few months. Tsaroulla just missed my cut for the top 5 up til now, but he's had a fine season so far.

And a lot can change in 10 games and the final list might look quite different. Potential play-off games too.

It's such a close race with so many candidates so I look forward to debating it on here at the end of the season.

My MoMs have been...

5 - Iorpenda, McDonald

4 - Platt

3 - Robertson, Dennis

2 - Bedeau, Jones, Norburn, Tsaroulla, Jatta

1 - Roos, Grant, Bennetts, Macari, Belshaw, Ndlovu

But look forward to seeing the PON members totals at the end of the season @Robbie for the real picture.

@theAnticlough, it was good to see Rod McDonald back in the starting XI against Chesterfield, but I don't think Matty Platt supported Nick Tsaroulla. I would like to see this given more time, because it could work, but I do think we missed Lewis Macari, especially in the first half. I know he came on, but his impact could have been larger. There's still time for players to pick up and impress, such as Jodi Jones for example who hasn't been bad but just not consistent enough for me so far.

@theAnticlough Once the season ends I will publish the full PON list. Your list does marry up somewhat with the PON list so far.

I think that the PON results so far reflect how important Iorpenda, Platt, Robertson, Tsaroulla, Jatta, McDonald & Palmer are to Notts. That fact that some of those players have missed a fair number of games again puts pressure on the rest of the squad, & may I say, contributes to the inconsistencies in performance that we have witnessed on occasions.

I do think the standout player has been Iorpenda. When he's in central midfield with Robertson or Norburn Notts tend to be solid in that area.

Jatta has been the number one striker this season when he's played, & Notts miss him when he's absent from the team.

Platt & McDonald have stood out in defence & Bedeau is not far behind in my estimation. With Belshaw between the sticks I think we have close to the best defensive unit in League 2.

I agree with much of what has already been said, I’d have Bedeau 1^st and Iorpenda 2^nd, I think they are the clear standouts for me this season. I’ll be amazed if one of them doesn’t win the clubs player of the season.

I’d have Dennis 3^rd, just purely because his goals have been vital for us this season, he’s basically replaced Didzy which is no mean feat.

Macari 4^th, very close between him and Dennis, he’s been super reliable and really solid in defence this season.

Then I’m torn between 3, Jatta, Platt & Tsaroulla. But I think I'll say Tsaroulla 5^th for me. He’s played pretty much the whole season in a position that isn’t his natural one and he’s top of the charts when it comes to assists and chances created this season. I still don't like the inverted wingbacks being a thing, it’s the one hangover from last season I want to see kicked to the curb. But I get given we’ve been so limited with right-footed wingbacks, we’ve pretty much had no choice but to play him there.