Ian Ross, should he stay or should he go?

Ian Ross was the final of Steve Thompson's summer signings at Meadow Lane. The twenty-year-old arrived on a six-month loan deal from Premiership side Sheffield United. It was Thompson's most prestigious capture, after a long summer battle to get the man he first spotted playing on loan at Boston United last campaign. There, he scored three goals and was named League Two Player of the Month during only three months at York Street.

This week, both Ross and Thompson have spoke about the players' future. Ross started by telling the ‘Official Site': “I love it here, and I love playing for the Gaffer. The players are great here and I get on with all of them, and of course the fans are terrific aswell. I don't know if (Neil Warnock) is going to call me back in January or not. Right now though, my priority is Notts County. I am 100% committed to Notts, until, or even if, I go back to Sheffield.”

Ross... Wants to stay

Ross was brought as the midfield playmaker, to play alongside the likes of Matt Somner, whose game would enable Ross to pull the strings. Has it happened? Following twenty four appearances, should he be given an extended deal?

Ross is without doubt the best passer of the ball in the Notts ranks. He can produce a different ball that switches the play, and brings the wide men into the game, which is arguably when Notts are at their best.

He produces wonderful set-pieces that have led to several Notts goals. Firstly, his free-kick provided Notts' first of the season, via Adie Moses away at Lincoln. He also bagged his first goal at Walsall, direct from a free-kick on Saturday. The majority of his corners provide opposing defenders problems.

He has a good understanding with many of the players who he played with at Boston last season, particularly Alan White and Jason Lee on set-pieces, which Thompson has said are integral to Notts' game plan.

He is still young, and can only improve.

He hasn't scored as many goals as he should have providing he is an attacking midfielder who is said to have an eye for goal.

He is not consistent enough, and perhaps hasn't produced one whole game of absolute quality, tending to do it in fits and starts only.

Ross shies away from the physical game far too often, which can't continue to happen if Notts are to progress this season.

At this moment in time, Ross' last game is set to be away at Accrington Stanley, which is nine games away. My personal belief is that it would be a great capture to keep him. As he matures, and gets more experience in this league, his ‘Against' points will diminish, whilst his ‘For' points will surely grow. He wants to stay, Thompson wants him to stay, and he probably isn't a ‘Premiership' player for Sheffield United anyway.