This summer has been a bit of a strange one for transfer wise for Notts - much like when someone decides to clean out their attic after doing little but toss unnecessary stuff they don't need up there for a couple of years. We got rid of plenty this summer, but like a bin bag full of slightly crusty odd socks, it's hard to feel a desperate clamour to replace John Spicer. In fact, the void he has left is already a marked improvement to the scenery in NG2. That's not to say there wasn't a couple of departures that required at least a pen-tapping consideration from Curle - those of Stuart Nelson, all but one of the club's senior centre backs (who himself is on the transfer list) and all but one senior striker, in particular. I think it's fair to say that the impeccably maintained wall of silence from the club regarding Gavin Mahon means that he probably isn't going to sign a new contract, either. Saying that, I think we were in the slightly odd situation of mainly having to replace players who weren't actually ours in the first place, such was the impact of the likes of Lloyd Sam and Daniel Bogdanovic at the end of last season.
Just five days from July, Notts are not even half way through their summer dealing yet in terms of numbers, but the work done so far has been solid if unspectacular. Starting at the back, we think that the capture of Bartosz Bialkowski to replace Nelson is certainly a positive move. People have pointed to his admittedly horrific performance against Blackpool for the Saints last season - but one game when the Pole was thrown in at late notice with no match practice is hardly a fair barometer to gauge him by. Bialkowski was just incredibly unlucky that match was broadcast live on Sky. Besides, many Notts fans were shocked at the release of Nelson, but his Notts career threw up a veritable highlights reel of goalkeeping bloopers. Allowing Iain Turner to beat him from the Preston goalmouth and diving out of the way of Matt Bloomfield's first minute shot at Wycombe were howlers every bit as bad as Bialkowski's.
In defence, Notts have added Dean Leacock, who becomes the club's first choice centre back, with his partner still to be confirmed. A former Premier League player (admittedly with that horrific Derby side), Leacock has a good pedigree and, crucially, pace. That one attribute was horrifically lacking in the Notts defence, as well as the team generally, for much of last season. Prone to lapses in concentration and over-confident pieces of defending, it is imperative Curle finds the correct partner for Leacock, but again, there is little to complain about on the face of things. With the full back places almost certain to be occupied by two of last season's more impressive performers in Alan Sheehan and Julian Kelly, the Notts back line is almost nearing completion.
In midfield, the addition of Gary Liddle is an intriguing one. Previously highly rated, he stuttered at Hartlepool last season having failed to secure a move away in previous summers, despite being a recipient of the club's player of the year award. Being forced to remain at Hartlepool is hardly an ideal situation for anyone to be in, so we are hopeful Liddle can regain his previous form with Pools. However, he is a similar player to Neal Bishop, so it will be interesting to see whether Curle is hoping to forge a partnership between the two Middlesbrough fans and trainees. NCM feels that we could still do with a calming, ball playing influence in central midfield, particularly if Mahon's departure is confirmed. However, for the most part, Liddle and Bishop looks like a partnership that is extremely robust and will win the physical and territorial battle in most League One games. Liddle is better in possession than Bishop, also, and also possesses far more of a goal threat from the centre of the park. His ability to slot into defence makes it unclear whether Curle sees him as a central midfield mainstay or a utility man, however.
Notts' final summer capture is perhaps the most underwhelming and easiest to criticise, so we shall do just that. Enoch Showunmi is the sort of footballer that often annoys fans - he is awkward and doesn't pose much of a goal threat. Curle made clear at the end of last season in his frustrating persistence with the utterly immobile Dele Adebola that he likes having a target man as an option, however, and there were worse options out there than Showunmi. If he is over his injury, he does possess more pace and mobility than your average target striker at this level, whilst he has bagged thirteen goals in a season for Tranmere just two years ago. We shall grudgingly accept that Showunmi could be a useful squad player, faced with the evidence. What is sorely lacking in the Notts frontline is still movement and pace however, with Lee Hughes no longer able to lead the line effectively for ninety minute and Tyrell Waite just a youngster, however talented. If Notts are to continue with the 4-2-3-1 formation that ended last season so effectively, a first choice striker who can lead the line and run in behind to create space for the creative talents of Judge and Jeff Hughes is imperative. As is a right winger in the mould of Lloyd Sam, who was also integral to that system.
BIALKOWSKI
KELLY - LEACOCK - ? - SHEEHAN
LIDDLE - BISHOP
? - JUDGE - J HUGHES
?
If Curle's train of thought is the same as NCM's, then this stands as his line up for the season currently. With three first choice places left to fill, and more depth certainly needed, we can expect a few more signings at Meadow Lane yet this summer. As it is, however, that team is certainly starting to take place. Looking at the question marks, the defence seems to lack your archetypal lower league defender that every side at this level seems to have. We expect Curle to look for a more physical, aerially dominant player to compliment the pacy Leacock. The attacking spaces are perhaps even more vital, though, with the right winger needing to take some of the team's creative burden off Judge. It was this system that brought out the irrepresible form that the Irishman finished the season with, but with a fairly solid but unimaginative central midfield duo sitting behind him, the pressure will be on Judge to keep that form going. Both attacking positions will also be required to supply pace, which remains in short supply in the Notts squad. Judge is no slouch, but as the creative spark he needs options ahead of him on the field to supply with passes, something which Notts don't currently have.