Battler fighting to nail place next season

Last updated : 26 May 2007 By Paul Smith

Appearances: 42

Determination above goals
Goals:
1

Season Highlight: Despite performing as a midfielder in every appearance this season, Somner is not renowned for his goalscoring capabilities.

The holding role is preferred by both him and manager Steve Thompson and Somner sits in rather than bursts forward.

So when he popped up with a goal in Notts' 2-0 home win over Boston United he was shocked and delighted in equal measure.

Lowlight: Right at the start of the season, with the Magpies going well at the top of the table, Somner was given a red card in a 3-2 defeat at fellow promotion chasing MK Dons.

With Alan White also sent off Notts found themselves 3-0 down and both dismissals were largely avoidable.

Somner, who has had disciplinary problems at past clubs, was finding his feet in the Notts team with some sterling and combative displays but this knock brought back some doubts over his temperament - luckily fans were proved wrong on that front.

Best game: More of a consistent player than one who will produce a stand out performance every so often, his best game is difficult to decide.

But at the start of the season as Notts defeated Stockport County 1-0 at Meadow Lane, Somner produced a very effective performance.

In that game Somner was at his industrious best on a night when conditions were difficult.

A poor footballing encounter was helped by the passion of Somner who won plenty of 50-50s and kept things ticking over in midfield allowing Notts to break for the crucial only goal of the game neatly finished by Junior Mendes.

The former Brentford man also won a lot of balls in the air - and as NCM reported in their match ratings of that day, Somner was Man of the Match.

The Mad verdict: A quietly efficient first season in Nottingham for Thompson's favoured midfield anchor man.

Tough tackler

Somner came with a reputation of a huge tackler who wasn't afraid to enter challenges even when stacked 70-30 against him.

He has lived up to that bill at least but as a midfielder fans have often looked for a bit more from him - particularly in the way he passes the ball which is often lacking in finding a team mate.

He is rightly to stay with the club next season and will be a good squad member as Notts hope to push forward. His versatility in particular will be an important factor as Somner can perform across the backline too even though Thompson has decided as yet not to use him there.

Overall a successful first season in the way of tackling, battling and showing the right attitude, but he needs to work on the other areas of a midfielders role to hold down a regular place next term.

Rating: 7/10