The statistics, regardless of whether you choose to ignore them or not, say everything about the current crisis at Meadow Lane.
|
Strikers are so called for their strike rate, their ability to convert chances into goals. They make the difference between a defeat and a draw, or a draw and a win. They can determine a successful season.
Looking at the sides above the Magpies in the league, highlighting the top scorers at the respective clubs shows why Notts are currently failing, with only two wins in the last nine games, and five defeats in six.
League leaders Walsall may have Martin Butler as their top scorer with just seven goals, but they are still the third highest scorers in the league with 37. That is mainly because the rest of their striking options are also amongst the goals. Hector Sam and Dean Keates have added a further eleven goals to the ranks.
Second placed MK Dons have Izale McLeod in their ranks. He leads the way in League 2 with fifteen goals. Jamie Forrester is one behind as he tops for third-placed Lincoln City.
Swindon Town's strikers share the load with Christian Roberts and Lee Peacock securing many points with nine and seven goals respectively. Hartlepool have Jon Daly on nine, Joel Porter on five and Daryl Duffy on four. The strike trio taking up eighteen of the 32 scored for the Pool this campaign.
Wycombe of course have the in-form Jermaine Easter, and experienced campaigner Tommy Mooney. They share a huge 27 goals. Peterborough United, one place above Notts, regularly partner Danny Crow and Trevor Benjamin up front. This partnership has produced eighteen goals.
Between Mendes, Lee, Dudfield and N'Toya, Notts have just twelve league goals. N'Toya has none, Dudfield, often used unfairly as a late substitute just two, Mendes four in twenty two appearances and Lee six in eighteen.
|
It is a major problem, and a headache for manager Steve Thompson who told the Official Site, “Goals are the multitude of sins, and we need to start scoring goals again. We're not having the best of luck and we know that, but it is vital we ride it together and stick together and eventually it will turn.”
He has previously admitted to having no money to introduce a new face who may be able to solve the problem. However, he neglected the strike force when introducing two new midfielders on loan in Jay Smith and Daryl McMahon who have failed to make much of an impression.
His preferred pairing seems to be Lee and Mendes. Lee, with his experience, physical threat and aerial ability should be the perfect foil for most, which is why it is hard to criticise the man as he is the top goalscorer when perhaps he isn't entirely expected to be. Mendes is another matter. His pace, awareness and skill should see him ease beyond Lee for goals. However his lack of composure, poor finishing ability and temperament has saw him fail to hit the target in nine games.
Dudfield has started just seven times, mostly at the beginning of the season when he struggled to settle. Since then, he has impressed with important late goals securing points at Torquay and Mansfield. His all-round performances as a substitute and recently a starter have also caught the eye. He may be the man to break the scoring duck for Notts' strikers.
|
This feature attempted to illustrate what we already knew, we need a striker. The result has illustrated why. Now we need to get one.
Unfortunately, unless some were moved on, Notts must see out the season with the quadruple. It doesn't bode well for the supporters' hopes of a Playoff place. Shooting practice anyone?