https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2021/july/ed-francis-signing-200721/

 

Holding Midfielder. Young (21). Left-footed. Not 5 foot 2. Takes set-pieces. 20 games in L2 (albeit out of position). 

He features in most games since signing for Harrogate, largely at LB. He's number 22:
 

 

Intrigued by this signing. On paper looks good however I am still haunted by Will Patching.. ???? however I do have faith in Doyle & IB to get the best out of this kid..

I'm quite happy with this signing. Our midfield lacked legs and youth; something we've now rectified. I know highlights aren't everything, but he looks like a mobile player, decent in the air and with a good left boot to spray passes. Also was taking set pieces for Harrogate - which looked dangerous. Add into that versatility  - can play LB/CB, it's a good signing for me (obviously without seeing him play).

 

 

i think francis will play in front of vincent if they both start.

looks to be a very sensible signing, hopefully he has pace and something about him that gets the best out of getting notts forward.

6 minutes ago, liampie said:

i think francis will play in front of vincent if they both start.

 

You want to play Vincent behind a holding midfielder? He'll be on Rawlinson's toes! 

Sounds promising and like his long term plan in his interview to captain the club and win titles sounds like a leader at 21 and just what the club need young players hungry for success to mix with top players at this level as for me that’s how you get out of this league

1 hour ago, Super_Danny_Allsopp said:

You want to play Vincent behind a holding midfielder? He'll be on Rawlinson's toes! 

vincent is a holding midfielder, he has been described similar to what doyle has been for us. francis on the other hand looks to be a player that prefers to hold the ball in the oppositions half, allowing him to play a more central role.

It's a promising signing, he seems to have done well in League Two.

This has no guarantee that he will be able to match the physicalness of National League football, and he could be more of a backup/rotational player. Either way, I am happy with the signing and I think he should settle in well. I'm ignoring the hype of Manchester City/England, we had that with Will Patching, and he never got much time. Fingers crossed Ed, is more hungry and keen to play actual football.

If he fights and performs well in order to be selected, it could prove to be quite the coup for us.

5 minutes ago, Chris said:

It's a promising signing, he seems to have done well in League Two.

This has no guarantee that he will be able to match the physicalness of National League football, and he could be more of a backup/rotational player. Either way, I am happy with the signing and I think he should settle in well. I'm ignoring the hype of Manchester City/England, we had that with Will Patching, and he never got much time. Fingers crossed Ed, is more hungry and keen to play actual football.

If he fights and performs well in order to be selected, it could prove to be quite the coup for us.

In his interview online he mentions wanting to play 40 odd games a season as his next step and Notts offered him that so I don’t see him being back up if he performs well. He also seems keen and hungry mentioning captaining the club to titles in the future, I also think the coaching team we have in place now will get the best out of young players overall seems a positive move for us.

30 minutes ago, liampie said:

vincent is a holding midfielder, he has been described similar to what doyle has been for us. francis on the other hand looks to be a player that prefers to hold the ball in the oppositions half, allowing him to play a more central role.

"Frank can play either as a holding midfielder or as a number eight"

"New signing Ed Francis says he can’t wait to show people what he can do in his preferred holding midfield role at Meadow Lane....The main thing about my next move was getting 30-40 games a season in a holding midfield role"

@Super_Danny_Allsopp he could still play higher on the pitch, people say a holding midfielder is a defensive position but its just a midfielder that has the main ability to retain the ball and use it. i cant see him starting over vincent and i dont think he will play as a cm. we will have to wait and see.

He seems like a decent player

5 hours ago, Super_Danny_Allsopp said:

Holding Midfielder. Young (21). Left-footed. Not 5 foot 2. Takes set-pieces. 20 games in L2 (albeit out of position). 

Not out of position, he started as a left back but wants to play in midfield now.

It looks a good signing, especially with Michael Doyle working closely with him.

Delighted but I do feel IB needs to sign another experienced CM.

We have the defensive side covered, just need to add the legs and creativity now.