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samwatto2008

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Everything posted by samwatto2008

  1. We’re now 5 games into the season in all competitions and it is looking promising for Notts County. Having made a few additions in the summer with the window still yet to close, here is my opinion on the signings we have made so far and what they can bring to the squad this season. So far with the transfer window closing on August 31, Notts have made 13 signings. In depth 2 being goalkeepers, 4 defenders, 5 midfielders and 2 forwards. Within the 13 signings 2 of these are loan players from the other side of the Trent. Jorge Grant was a fan favourite last season having signed for the Magpies in the January transfer window and was a key player to our survival last season. I think at the top of Alan Hardy’s and Kevin Nolan’s to-do list was to ensure this guy was playing for the Pies for the upcoming 2017-18 season. So, let’s start with the goalkeepers. We have brought in 2 goalkeepers going by the names of Ross Fitzsimons and Branislav Pindroch. Fitzsimons was on trial for us during pre-season and we acquired him from Chelmsford. He made his Notts debut against Scunthorpe in the Carabao Cup First Round. He looks to be a commanding individual with good communication amongst his defenders. He looks to be our number 2 this year with Pindroch looking like backup. With the defenders, most notably Shaun Brisley has joined the Pies on a free transfer from Carlisle United. Brisley so far has made 4 appearances scoring one goal. He has shown real determination and looks a real solid addition alongside Richard Duffy. Other defender signings include Nicky Hunt from relegated Leyton Orient who was part of Nolan’s squad at his short stint at The O’s. Dan Jones was also recruited as a full back from Chesterfield, he slipped up big style against Coventry but has turned it around the past couple of games so I think we can write that off as a bad game for him. Finally, the Pies have recruited Pierce Bird who was unattached. Pierce looks to be a possible loan player in the future but I can see him having a long career here at Notts County. Moving onto the midfielders. With the 2016-17 season coming to a close in connection with most of the players contracts it was important to strengthen this area and boy has Nolan done that. We have recruited 5 midfielders - Jorge Grant and Ryan Yates the loanees from Nottingham Forest. Also, we have Elliot Hodge and Terry Hawkridge from Lincoln City. Terry looks to be a real gem so far with lots of pace and cutting in numerous times, this will really hurt weak teams in the league. The final midfielder recruited is Liam Walker. Liam has plenty of international experience with Gibraltar against teams such as Germany. Good solid central midfielder with good passing ability. Finally, the forwards, while offering new contracts to Stead and Ameobi with Forte still being under contract it looked like the area where least additions were needed. We have made 2 additions. One being up there for signing of the summer Lewis Alessandra from relegated Hartlepool United. So far, he has made 4 appearances for the Magpies scoring one goal and im almost 100% certain that this could reach double figures this season. As well as Alessandra, we have assigned Callum Saunders to the squad from Crewe Alexandra but looks to be a backup striker. So who is the summer signing so far? After seeing them in action in the league I am torn between Hawkridge and Grant but for me I think it has to be Grant. Sorry to follow the crowd but Grant is just class for our league. His ability to get in behind but also show flair and skill on the ball is fantastic to see at League 2. He is a game changer and has the ability to secure all 3 points on his own. However, he must learn from players like Stead and Ameobi and learn quickly that he does need the players around him to be the star of the show. Most questionable signing so far? Personally, I think Callum Saunders. I have never heard of him before and I do not know what he can bring to the team. Also at the moment I can’t see him replacing any of our first team strikers or even getting on the bench so it just baffles me while he is on the wage bill sitting in the reserves but im not a scout or coach so Nolan must see something. Let me know what you think about the star and most questionable signing of the summer so far. Can Notts improve any more areas or should we call it quits on our recruitment this summer? Share your thoughts about this feature article on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.
  2. Same or very similar lineup against Wycombe. Personally I would go for a 4-3-3 against Stanley: Fitzsimmons / Tootle - Brisely - Duffy - Jones / Grant - Hewitt - Yates / Alessandra - Ameobi - Hawkridge. I think against a strong Stanley side at the moment, counter attacking football would be our best option. I was disappointed with Collin against Wycombe to be honest. Just was not impressed and my opinion of him will remain unless i see changes. Communication for a goalkeeper is key and he just has not got that attribute. It will be interesting if Forte starts ahead of Stead though this week and see what sort of impact he can have over a 70 minute period rather than 20 minutes. Stanley score a lot of goals but also concede a lot too. Ill go a 2-2 draw as i think a win will just be out of reach for both teams here.
  3. Some real chemistry and passion in this team! First time in a long time ive actually seen fight from the team. Well Done Nolan and all backroom staff. Hope this form and quality of football continues.
  4. The thing is, i think Ameobi is always a starter so the real question here is Forte or Stead? They both bring different aspects to the game. Stead being a target man, strength, powerful shot and accuracy whereas Forte is more pace, flair and vision. Its a hard one but i think its all down to the training performance in the week and that is something only the gaffer can decide im afraid.
  5. Fantastic result! Finally we have a Notts County side with fight and passion! Looks like we actually want to achieve something this year
  6. Craig Mackail-Smith would have been good addition to Notts squad I think. Some good deals done here though but Vassell to Birmingham is a shock to me as i thought they would have gone for more proven goalscorers but wish him luck.
  7. Good player with good spirit and fight from what i have seen so far! Hope we can develop him and and look at a potential future transfer or another loan next year.
  8. Agree, think he is a good leader and impact sub to push the team and encourage them if we need and equalizer or going for a win but i can only see his future at our club in the coaching side of things or maybe becoming an assistant manager one day with Nolan.
  9. Totally agree and see your points. To be honest playing Hewitt in CM is just frustrating me at the moment which is why i put Yates in there but would be happy to see Walker or Milsom in there. Hewitt just is not CM material, in my opinion does not have the attributes to be a play maker or box to box midfielder.
  10. Tough one to call this. Akinfenwa had a cracking game last week and given his strength we should play Ameobi to counter this 100%. Defending corners etc. I think the following should be the lineup. 4-4-2 Collin / Tootle - Brisely - Duffy - Jones / Hawkridge - Grant - Yates - Alessandra / Ameobi - Forte I think this would give us every opportunity to compete in this fixture and i would bench Stead to give him a rest as i think he picked up a knock against Chesterfield. If Grant starts along with Hawkridge and Alessandra, attacking i dont see why we cant get a couple of goals here so ill go for a 2-1 Notts County win. Would love a clean sheet but Akinfenwa is in good form and can see him scoring.
  11. Looking at the stats of this game we deserved the win. Although people might see this as a joke of a competition but I am really happy we won this game and got some vital points on the board in the small group stage.
  12. @Chris Sorry my bad. To be quite honest i would like to just stick with the team we have now and recruit in January if necessary. Mr Hardy is all about cost and reducing the wage bill so don't add to something that it fine already. Other than a clinical finisher i cant see any areas to strengthen. We wont sign a striker though because we have three already and have just renewed 2 of their contracts
  13. @Chris I have noticed over twitter and other sources recently that Forest are doubting whether to keep some of their players or loan them out. By this article above i conclude from it that we are not going looking for signings but rather they come to us as in loanees. Tyler Walker from Forest is such a promising left/right back that has so many attributes our team could benefit from. Mark Warburton is undecided on his future but i think we wont need or get any more players apart from promising loanees. Bloody hell if Grant can't make the first team then other signings have got no hope
  14. What a guy! I cannot comprehend why he has not started the first 2 league games. Unless it's related to an attitude problem which could have a factor in it but the reality is he is the best player in that squad and is a real playmaker. Should be starting every game now, he has proved himself (not like he needed to) now get him in the starting lineup week in, week out.
  15. Id love to see Calvert-Lewin play in this match but i think that is out the question. However I think Nolan should play Stead and Forte together, i think Stead at the moment is lacking confidence and looks shadowed by other players at the moment. So hopefully Stead can get his name on the score sheet. I want us too take this seriosuly though as even though its seen as a 'petty' cup, I think any silverware this season would be a massive result and i think we have a good enough team to challenge for certain competitions including the league of course.
  16. Despite having a few issues with iFollow today i managed to watch the second half and was pleased with what i saw. I am still really confused on the decision to bench Grant and Walker and play Hewitt as a CM over those two, just do not understand it. If Grant does not start next game ill have to put it down as a attitude problem and Nolan wants to show him who is boss and who runs the team. Pleased with the result and performance though COYP.
  17. @liampie I think that could really work especially Milsom as a LWB and maybe develop either Hewitt or Tootle to play RWB. But to be honest i think that idea could really work.
  18. Both opening days were poor however i would like to think Nolan has adapted his thought processes on how to approach this game. Call me crazy but i think we have got some real attacking threats and have the potential to score a truck load. Id love to see us play like a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2 as i believe Duffy, Hollis and Brisely could really gel as 3 CB's. For me ill go a 2-0 win. I think it'll be close but home record is important to Nolan as he stressed towards the end of last season.
  19. Solid! Good addition to the squad and even though he is a loan player, would love to this guy play with Grant or Walker in CM.
  20. Quality signing been watching some of his goals and assists on youtube. Looks like he has plenty of pace and ability to shoot on target which is always a good start

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