Notts County squad: Who should be kept and who should be offloaded?

[Joe Jones]

Dane Arnold wrote a lengthy post on the PON Facebook page and I thought it was too good not to put up on here for discussion.

The squad needs an overhaul now some of the players past it and some not good enough

Gk Adam Collin not sure about him might be me I just don't like him as a player I'd get rid

Gk Branislav Pindroch not seen enough of him to decide worth keeping as third choice keeper keep

Gk Ross fitzsimons thought he looked good in goal till his moment of madness is have him fighting for number 1 jersey keep

Defender Matt tootle keep

Defender Carl Dickinson to inconsistent for me get rid

Defender Elliot Hewitt improved under nolan keep

Defender Richard Duffy I personally don't think he's good enough but think he will be sticking around one of nolans lads get rid

Defender shaun brisley worth another year chips in with the odd goal and assist keep

Defender Nicky hunt past it get rid

Defender Dan Jones on is day great worth another season keep

Defender pierce bird not seen enough of him will be on a low wage keep

Defender Mike Edwards still registered as a player although he's not played take him off the squad list

Midfielder Michael oconner come back from a long injury worth another year

Midfielder Terry hawkridge a bit light weight but on his day an impressive player keep

Midfielder Elliot Hodge low wage back up keep

Midfielder Curtis Thompson personally I like him but think his days are numbered get rid

Midfielder Alan Smith please please retire not been good enough for years just takes a spot on the bench off a youngster get rid

Midfielder Liam noble hopefully will see the best of him next season keep

Midfielder noor husin young lad showed glimpses of quality keep

Midfielder Robert Milson last year's player of the season not featured enough this year expect to see him go get rid

Midfielder Sam Osborne exciting young player want to see him on the bench more next year keep

Forward Lewis Alessandra to inconsistent for me when he's not having a good game we might aswell be playing with 10 players get rid

Forward shola ameobi probably past his best but we seem to play better with him in the squad think he's worth another year even if he can only mange 1 out of 2 matches expect him to retire but I'd keep him

Forward Jonathan forte worth another year on his form over the last month needs to be started more keep

Forward Callum Saunders not to fussed about him but if he dos stay get him on the bench personally I'd get rid

Forward john stead been a great servant to the club but I think it's time he goes not a goal scoring forward I know there hard to come by but his wage could help us bring a decent forward in get rid

What's everybody else's thoughts on the current squad not included loan players?

[Lozzle1]

Can't fault MOST of what you've said here, Joe!

HOWEVER, Stead's Contract Option to stay was done/dustecd about a month ago, so he's here for another year.

Forte needs to be 'respected/accepted' (by KN) as a First Team starter; and I'm hopeful that KN's 'learned' (after his comments of last year about wanting JF to 'knock on his door to play'?!*) that you don't treat 30-year old professionals like that, Moreover, I truly believe that had JF had more starts (since I watched him at Yeovil last winter), we'd have been Top 3 this year and gone through automatics. It was painful to see him being brought on 'last knocking's' - like he could actually DO anything from the 87th minutes and I believe this tactic deliberately set him up to 'fail'. KN/JF need a proper 'chat' about the future next Season, or I DO see JF looking for pastures new, where he WILL be respected!

Was impressed with Hawkridge around Christmas time-ish but every other appearance since, he's looked like a 'rabbit in headlights'. Confidence loss maybe since the Lincoln game?

Can only remember TWO games where Noble looked confident/in charge OR was 'immense' since January. Too many face-palm moments for me with the 'quick-hoof-to-anyone' (usually OPPOSITION PLAYERS) tactics and tbh, he SCARES me by not appearing to take time with the ball, read the game and/or, EVER get it where it needs to go!

Ross - had his 'moment of madness' (not sure I'd have done any different with a player who grabbed my nuts EVERY SINGLE TIME he came near me, but - of course - unseen by abysmal officials)! However, I think he's now 'served his time!' and I'd like to see him 'brought out' as the First Team Keeper and recognised as such. He's very young, on his first professional Contract but can only see his confidence soar with more games under his belt.

Whilst I've seen/read all the stats on AC, for me, he just never looks like he's match fit yet or even that he has any confidence between the sticks! I don't want to spend all of next Season, fearful/terrified each time the ball goes over the halfway line, watching him shuffle about in goal, waiting for the opposition to come towards him, and then see him (rarely) anywhere near any part of HIS goal, that they choose to shoot into! For me, he's like a Cricketer who has no eye on the ball...and we know what happens to them! Don't think his 'cocky' attitude with fans helps him, either.

Alessandra's quick - when he wants to be - and HAS shown SOME good football over the Season. However, he IS inconsistent and I don't believe he's likely to change/improve next season.

Jones has surprised me over the Coventry games. Must admit, I've not 'noticed' him too much before; but now, I'm IMPRESSED. A keeper for next Season...please!

Toots...what can I say? LOVED by players/fans alike, the lad's gone through some shiz but CONSISTENTLY a 'fighter' for the team. Hope he's going nowhere.

Hope next Season brings us all the speed, results and Team we deserve. I'd like to see much less 'hoofing-it' and some ball-by-ball, attacking/defensive play that I can actually be PROUD of: whoever's in our Team! 

COYP!

[ARLukomski 𝕏 ARLukomski Instagram declanweliczko_arlki]

We can probably guess Milsom and Thompson are leaving. Also get rid of Hunt, Dicko, Ameobi can retire. Hodge maybe. Smith can go to Leeds. Noble probably won't go as we've just signed him but my word, he is bad. Hawkridge maybe? 

[Truefootballfan 𝕏 OldNottsfan]

If you take away Kevin’s silly arrogance at not recognising that Forte should have been a regular after we lost Bennett we would be a league 1 club now. So I don’t think the team is too far away from being good for promotion next year. O’Connor is the key to our success, a proper skipper who leads by example.

Shola has not contributed anywhere near the goals he should have at this level so I would say thanks, but no thanks.

We have no option but to keep Stead as he triggered his extension.

 Collin ..... get rid

Tootle ..... keep

Jones ..... Keep

Dickinson .... Keep

Brisley .... Keep

Duffy  ..... depends who else we could sign, ok for back up. (If only we could afford Ben Hall).

Hewitt .... Keep

O’Connor .. Keep (captain)

Hawkridge .. Keep

Noble  ..... Keep

Husin ..... Keep

 Milson ... Keep

Allessandra ... Keep

Forte .... Keep

Thats a basis of a 14 man squad giving scope for some great signings. I am pretty sure Bennett will return.

After recent attendances Alan Hardy must be encouraged by the potential gates that we could generate with a quality team; so without suggesting ridiculous unrealistic spending I hope he can provide Kevin with the funds to build on what we already have and carry us forward.... 

 

 

 

 

[samwatto2008]

1 Adam Collin - Get rid - Made some wonderful saves and got a good clean sheet number. Hes too unreliable and has a poor relationship with our defence. Hes not a good communicator and the fans are on his back 24/7. I don't think he can succeed here.

2 Matt Tootle - Keep - Good attacking full back but has to be more consistent and be getting more assists next year.

3 Carl Dickinson - Get rid - Dog awful, his time is up.

4 Elliott Hewitt - Keep - Quality piece of young talent, all the attributes to be an all rounded player, Also very versatile in being a CM, CB, RB.

5 Richard Duffy - Get rid - Slow to the ball and cant keep his mouth shut and there is no discipline with him, captaincy got to his head.

7 Lewis Alessandra - Keep -  I quite like Alessandra, hes got pace and puts a shift in, just needs to work on his touch and awareness and i think he could be a really good player for us next year.

8 Michael O'Connor - Keep -  Been unlucky with injury but proved against Coventry what hes worth.

9 Shola Ameobi - Get rid / Keep - Offer a coaching role or if he's not bothered offer a contract until January. 

10 Jorge Grant - Get rid - Just put that because he returns to Forest after his loan spell. Would take him down at the Lane any day. 

11 Terry Hawkridge -  Keep - Squad status changed to Rotation or Backup as i believe he is not first team quality at all.

12 Elliot Hodge - Get rid -  Give our academy players more of a chance, waste of wages.

13 Branislav Pindroch - Keep -  Good rotation player for cup games etc.

14 Jonathan Forte - Keep - Him and Bennett or another pacey striker could work really well together, I still think hes got what it takes.

15 Curtis Thompson - Keep - 

16 Shaun Brisley - Keep

17 Alan Smith - Get rid - Make him a coach 

19 Nicky Hunt - Get rid, Worst player ive seen at Notts for a while. And I have seen Delroy Facey 

23 Dan Jones - Keep - Good player with attacking runs always on his mind

24 Rob Milsom - Keep - not been given a chance this year but hes quality and was our player of the season last year.

26 Callum Saunders - Get rid - Just not cut out for league football

30 Jon Stead - Get rid

31 Joe Searson-Smithard - Keep

32 Dominic Brown-Hill - Get rid

33 Pierce Bird - Keep

34 Ross Fitzsimons - Keep - Good keeper and could fill Collins boots with more training

35 Peter Dearle - Keep - Got to give academy players more of a chance next year.

37 Alex Howes - Keep

38 Mike Edwards - Take off squad list

39 Sam Osborne - Keep - Been an exciting prospect at Grantham Town, hes been blasting them in for fun.

44 Kevin Nolan - Take off squad list.

Liam Noble - Get rid - So glad we did not pay 100,000 for him, not shown a bit of talent yet since January.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

Gk Adam Collin - Release - I think he needs a fresh start somewhere else, I have no malice towards him but I think we need someone else.

Gk Branislav Pindroch - Release - He will be good enough and, I don't think he could even catch a cold.

Gk Ross fitzsimons - Keep - He will be our number 1 next season, there's no doubt about it.

Defender Matt tootle - Keep - Good player, could do with someone to make him remain on his toes though.

Defender Carl Dickinson - Release - Rubbish, absolute rubbish.

Defender Elliot Hewitt - Keep as a Midfielder - Brilliant player, he worked hard all season and covers good ground.

Defender Richard Duffy - Release - Only way I'd keep him is as back up, he's far too inconsistent.

Defender Shaun Brisley - Keep - Excellent defender, who will only get better with a consistent partner by his side.

Defender Nicky hunt - Release - No way should he have even signed.

Defender Dan Jones - Keep - Good defender, who I feel will improve further with a better defence around him.

Defender Pierce Bird - Release - If he's not good enough now, there's no point having him.

Midfielder Michael o'Conner - Keep - Great player, he's come back keen to prove a point.

Midfielder Terry Hawkridge - Keep - Will improve with stability and further quality around him, he's a decent player at this level.

Midfielder Elliot Hodge - Release again - Not good enough, no way a league player.

Midfielder Curtis Thompson - Release - Not someone we need right now, let him forge a career elsewhere.

Midfielder Alan Smith - Retire - He'd be great as a coach, nothing else.

Midfielder Liam Noble - Keep - He's a player who wants to star as the best player in a team, if he can't he fizzles quicker than cheap pop. Keep him but push him harder.

Midfielder Noor Husin - Keep - He will improve with further match experience.

Midfielder Robert Milson - Keep - Good midfielder who should have featured more this past season, he can do a job if allowed.

Midfielder Sam Osborne - Undecided - As backup he could probably remain.

Forward Lewis Alessandra - Keep - As a winger/back up striker, I think he would improve with stability and better quality around him.

Forward Shola Ameobi - Keep if the budget allows - Get him on a pay as you play deal, sign someone he can pass his assets onto.

Forward Jonathan Forte - Keep - He's proven he's by far the best striker at our club.

Forward Callum Saunders - Release - Not going to do anything here is he?

Forward Jon Stead - Keep - He's got another year, just sign two more strikers and get him to teach them with Shola his game.

[liampie]

collin, duffy, dickinson, hodge, thompson, stead, ameobi all need to go.

[TheSkipper 𝕏 TheSkipperNCFC]

8 hours ago, Lozzle1 said:

Can't fault MOST of what you've said here, Joe!

HOWEVER, Stead's Contract Option to stay was done/dustecd about a month ago, so he's here for another year.

Forte needs to be 'respected/accepted' (by KN) as a First Team starter; and I'm hopeful that KN's 'learned' (after his comments of last year about wanting JF to 'knock on his door to play'?!*) that you don't treat 30-year old professionals like that, Moreover, I truly believe that had JF had more starts (since I watched him at Yeovil last winter), we'd have been Top 3 this year and gone through automatics. It was painful to see him being brought on 'last knocking's' - like he could actually DO anything from the 87th minutes and I believe this tactic deliberately set him up to 'fail'. KN/JF need a proper 'chat' about the future next Season, or I DO see JF looking for pastures new, where he WILL be respected!

Was impressed with Hawkridge around Christmas time-ish but every other appearance since, he's looked like a 'rabbit in headlights'. Confidence loss maybe since the Lincoln game?

Can only remember TWO games where Noble looked confident/in charge OR was 'immense' since January. Too many face-palm moments for me with the 'quick-hoof-to-anyone' (usually OPPOSITION PLAYERS) tactics and tbh, he SCARES me by not appearing to take time with the ball, read the game and/or, EVER get it where it needs to go!

Ross - had his 'moment of madness' (not sure I'd have done any different with a player who grabbed my nuts EVERY SINGLE TIME he came near me, but - of course - unseen by abysmal officials)! However, I think he's now 'served his time!' and I'd like to see him 'brought out' as the First Team Keeper and recognised as such. He's very young, on his first professional Contract but can only see his confidence soar with more games under his belt.

Whilst I've seen/read all the stats on AC, for me, he just never looks like he's match fit yet or even that he has any confidence between the sticks! I don't want to spend all of next Season, fearful/terrified each time the ball goes over the halfway line, watching him shuffle about in goal, waiting for the opposition to come towards him, and then see him (rarely) anywhere near any part of HIS goal, that they choose to shoot into! For me, he's like a Cricketer who has no eye on the ball...and we know what happens to them! Don't think his 'cocky' attitude with fans helps him, either.

Alessandra's quick - when he wants to be - and HAS shown SOME good football over the Season. However, he IS inconsistent and I don't believe he's likely to change/improve next season.

Jones has surprised me over the Coventry games. Must admit, I've not 'noticed' him too much before; but now, I'm IMPRESSED. A keeper for next Season...please!

Toots...what can I say? LOVED by players/fans alike, the lad's gone through some shiz but CONSISTENTLY a 'fighter' for the team. Hope he's going nowhere.

Hope next Season brings us all the speed, results and Team we deserve. I'd like to see much less 'hoofing-it' and some ball-by-ball, attacking/defensive play that I can actually be PROUD of: whoever's in our Team! 

COYP!

spot on! We have a good spine to build but we need to get rid of those that cannot fit into Kevin's way.

[Magic magpie]

Ok so this is a tricky one cause if hadn’t had skipped on a few games we would have been promoted...

so I have to say ..

release -Collins , fitzmore , stead , 

keep the rest and replace the above 

[Super_Danny_Allsopp]

1 Adam Collin - Keep - We won't find many better keepers than Collin and Fitzsimmons, so let them battle it out for the no. 1 jersey in the close season. 

2 Matt Tootle - Keep - Good attacking full back but has to be more consistent and be getting more assists next year.

3 Carl Dickinson - Get rid - The most surprising thing about Dickinson's career is he's played most of it in the Championship or L1... we have seen absolutely 0 evidence of that here at Notts, doesn't even look up to conference level, awful footballer. 

4 Elliott Hewitt - Keep - Still needs to be developed but works very well when placed alongside someone like O'Connor. 

5 Richard Duffy - Keep - Has got his flaws and I hope the beginning of next season we won't see a Duffy-Brisley partnership starting, but could work off the bench. 

7 Lewis Alessandra - Keep - Has a habit of going missing but can be an asset in a squad, especially with his versatility. 

8 Michael O'Connor - Keep -  Changed the game against Cov. Potential that he and Hewitt starting together next season is exciting.

9 Shola Ameobi - Keep - See if we can keep for a season on small wages to make cameo's.

10 Jorge Grant - Keep - Try and re-sign on loan. Long shot probably. 

11 Terry Hawkridge -  Get rid - Too lightweight and I believe we can find better. 

12 Elliot Hodge - Get rid -  Not sure why we signed him. 

13 Branislav Pindroch - Unsure -  Not seen enough of.

14 Jonathan Forte - Keep - No point in keeping him if we won't use him, but a great player and option to have.

15 Curtis Thompson - Get rid - Loaned out and doesn't seem to be in Nolan's plans. 

16 Shaun Brisley - Keep - Steady enough.

17 Alan Smith - Get rid - Make him a coach 

19 Nicky Hunt - Get rid - Legs have gone.

23 Dan Jones - Keep - Good LB, but we need another who can defend for more difficult games away from home.

24 Rob Milsom -  Get rid - Not in Nolan's plans.

26 Callum Saunders - Get rid - Not sure why we signed him.

30 Jon Stead - Keep - One more season.

31 Joe Searson-Smithard - Unsure - Not seen enough of.

32 Dominic Brown-Hill - Unsure - Not seen enough of.

33 Pierce Bird - Unsure - Not seen enough of.

34 Ross Fitzsimons - Keep - To push Collins in the off-season.

35 Peter Dearle - Unsure - Not seen enough of.

37 Alex Howes - Unsure - Not seen enough of.

38 Mike Edwards - Take off squad list

39 Sam Osborne - Unsure - Not seen enough of.
 

44 Kevin Nolan - Take off squad list.

Liam Noble - Get rid - Not the player that we let go, seems a shadow of his former self.

Noor Hussin - Keep - Looks an excellent prospect.

Virtue - Get rid - Not up to it. 

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

Here is the vote from the Fan of Big Tone jury:

 

Adam Collin - Keep - I hope the fans don't give him such a hard time next season

Fitzimmons - keep he'll be good competition for Collin

Matt Tootle - Keep - I love Toots.

Carl Dickinson - Release

Elliott Hewitt - Keep - It's incredible how he's improved under KN

Richard Duffy - Keep 

Lewis Alessandra - release

Michael O'Connor - Keep -  A proper good midfielder, captain fantastic, he's good enough to play higher but we need to keep him.

Shola Ameobi - Release - Sadly he is finished

Jorge Grant - Keep - If at all possible (doubt it though). 

Terry Hawkridge -  Release

Elliot Hodge - not seen a lot of him.

Branislav Pindroch - Don't know

Jonathan Forte - Keep .

Curtis Thompson - release - I like him but he seems to be out of favour with KN which is a shame 

Shaun Brisley - Keep

Alan Smith - release 

Nicky Hunt - release

Dan Jones - Keep - great  in attack and defence

Rob Milsom -  keep, player of year last season, needs to fight his way back in.

Callum Saunders - don't know enough about him

Jon Stead - Keep - seems we have no choice as he's triggered a clause for an extension but still a good player always gives 100%.

Joe Searson-Smithard - who's he? - Not seen enough of.

Dominic Brown-Hill - Never heard of him

Pierce Bird - keep - heard good reports and he'll presumably be cheap.

Peter Dearle - never heard of him

Alex Howes - heard of him but not seen him

Mike Edwards - keep as fitness coach

Sam Osborne - don't know enough about him

Kevin Nolan - obviously keep but as manager not player

Liam Noble - release he's been really disappointing.

Noor Hussin - Keep 

Virtue - release he improved in the latter games but overall disappointing.

[CliftonMagpie]

On 5/19/2018 at 18:33, Chris said:

Gk Adam Collin - Release - I think he needs a fresh start somewhere else, I have no malice towards him but I think we need someone else.

Gk Branislav Pindroch - Release - He will be good enough and, I don't think he could even catch a cold.

Gk Ross fitzsimons - Keep - He will be our number 1 next season, there's no doubt about it.

Defender Matt tootle - Keep - Good player, could do with someone to make him remain on his toes though.

Defender Carl Dickinson - Release - Rubbish, absolute rubbish.

Defender Elliot Hewitt - Keep as a Midfielder - Brilliant player, he worked hard all season and covers good ground.

Defender Richard Duffy - Release - Only way I'd keep him is as back up, he's far too inconsistent.

Defender Shaun Brisley - Keep - Excellent defender, who will only get better with a consistent partner by his side.

Defender Nicky hunt - Release - No way should he have even signed.

Defender Dan Jones - Keep - Good defender, who I feel will improve further with a better defence around him.

Defender Pierce Bird - Release - If he's not good enough now, there's no point having him.

Midfielder Michael o'Conner - Keep - Great player, he's come back keen to prove a point.

Midfielder Terry Hawkridge - Keep - Will improve with stability and further quality around him, he's a decent player at this level.

Midfielder Elliot Hodge - Release again - Not good enough, no way a league player.

Midfielder Curtis Thompson - Release - Not someone we need right now, let him forge a career elsewhere.

Midfielder Alan Smith - Retire - He'd be great as a coach, nothing else.

Midfielder Liam Noble - Keep - He's a player who wants to star as the best player in a team, if he can't he fizzles quicker than cheap pop. Keep him but push him harder.

Midfielder Noor Husin - Keep - He will improve with further match experience.

Midfielder Robert Milson - Keep - Good midfielder who should have featured more this past season, he can do a job if allowed.

Midfielder Sam Osborne - Undecided - As backup he could probably remain.

Forward Lewis Alessandra - Keep - As a winger/back up striker, I think he would improve with stability and better quality around him.

Forward Shola Ameobi - Keep if the budget allows - Get him on a pay as you play deal, sign someone he can pass his assets onto.

Forward Jonathan Forte - Keep - He's proven he's by far the best striker at our club.

Forward Callum Saunders - Release - Not going to do anything here is he?

Forward Jon Stead - Keep - He's got another year, just sign two more strikers and get him to teach them with Shola his game.

I agree with this.

Get rid of the clutter like Collin, Hunt, Saunders etc