From The72 (original link here):

Notts County have had a decent season under Kevin Nolan and are chasing down an automatic promotion place to League One. Here are five players they should sign in the summer-

Jorge Grant, Nottingham Forest- The highly-rated midfielder has spent this season on loan at Notts County and has impressed for them. Kevin Nolan should try and sign him on loan again for the next campaign as he is a key player for this side.

Sam Mantom, Scunthorpe United- He has proven himself at League One level for Walsall but has fallen out of favour at Scunthorpe. He is currently on loan at Southend but could become available in the summer and would be a decent signing for Notts County.

Hope Akpan, Burton Albion- The former Everton, Hull City, Crawley Town, Blackburn Rovers and now Burton Albion midfielder is out of contract in the summer and would be a shrewd signing for Notts County, especially on a free transfer.

Tom Elliott, Milwall- If Notts County do get promoted to League One, then Elliott would be a decent signing for them. He has struggled for goals at Milwall this season in the Championship and could leave them this summer for the right price.

Harry Forrester, Rangers- The winger has spent this season on loan at AFC Wimbledon and Rangers are keen to offload him again in the summer. He would be a decent signing for Notts County as he is a decent player at League One/Two level.

Thoughts on these players? How well would they fit in the team (aside from Grant ofc), and are they realistic targets? Let's get your thoughts!

Certainly need an out and out winger. If Smith is still on the subs bench next season, then something is deeply wrong. We are over loaded with central midfielders but would take Yates back in an instance.

If Hall was available, I would sign him up. I would also re-sign Luther Wildin as a right back

Grant I don't know after this season. Seems to have dropped off. Wouldn't pay more than 150k for him unless he guarantees to turn up every week and be our Graham Carey. Mantom would be brilliant. We need one CM if we go up or stay here and he would be just the guy. Akpan would be good for this level (L1 + 2). Elliott is good but I don't think we'll sign him and we need more pacy strikers. Harry Forrester would be brilliant again. Wingers are where we need to improve in the summer regardless of the division we are in. 

There is a lot of decent players out of contract, some I would go for.  REMEMBER, these are out of contract in League Two

Troy Brown - Exeter (CB)

Ben Dickenson - Colchester (LM)

Matt Godden - Stevenage (ST)

Uche Ikpeazu - Cambridge (ST)

Sean Murray - Colchester (CM)

Luke Wilkinson - Stevenage (CB)

Kristian Dennis - Chesterfield (ST)

Realistically we will be league 2 again next season. We couldn’t afford Ben Hall, we couldn’t afford Grant (even though his value must have plummeted since Christmas). We must look at players to take us to the next level; Kevin has to use his contacts and convince players of a bright future (hopefully). Signing players from League 2 will bring league 2 standard. 

Maybe Not quite the right analogy but The old adage is; pay peanuts you get monkeys. We need ambition and if need be investment.

The lack of ambition became evident with the jan window  

We messed up big time in January and AH has kind of acknowledged that on Twitter. All we needed in January (well all season in fact) was a goalscorer after getting Hall, but again they looked at the wrong area. If we had that we would probably be alongside Luton and Accy.

I couldn't see us signing any of the above list unless we get promoted as they will get better offers from League 1 teams and Jorge Grant has to move on to a League one club, or he will be in danger of not making the most of his talent.

 

 

 Not sure it was a lack of ambition @Richo. It was definitely naive and maybe a touch arrogant on Kevin’s part not playing Forte when the Bennett signing went **** up... ????