Youth against experience

Last season the average age of Notts' squad was little over 20-years-old, now it has risen to the mid-20's with the purchase of several experienced heads over the summer.

Frost... No league appearance last season

Some fans have been critical of manager Steve Thompson's hesitance in naming young players in his starting eleven with the likes of Stef Frost, Jake Sheridan and Dan Martin said to have been hindered last season owing to their youthfulness.

However, Notts did have one of the youngest squads in the division with Thompson regularly picking the likes of Gary Silk (22), Stephen Hunt (22) and the now departed Ian Ross (21).

Now many are saying that despite being impressed with the quality of the new signings, a lack of younger legs in the side, or more so Thompson's seemingly continued lack of support in the younger members of his squad, is failing to provide the correct balance.

But what is the truth? How young is the squad and does Thompson actually have the correct balance?

Who would win in youth versus experience?

Youth.

Tim Sandercombe (18)

Rob Austin (18) Gary Silk (22) Stephen Hunt (22) Paul Mayo (26)

David Pipe (23) Matt Austin (18) Matt Somner (24) Myles Weston (19)

Spencer Weir-Daley (21) Stef Frost (18)

Experience

Kevin Pilkington (33)

Adam Tann (25) Mike Edwards (27) Austin McCann (27)

Andy Parkinson (28) Neil Mackenzie (31) Jay Smith (25) Junior Mendes (31)

Lawrie Dudfield (27) Hector Sam (29) Jason Lee (36)

Mayo... when he was a youngster with Lincoln City

Sure, Mayo isn't exactly a youngster, but as the younger of the two left-backs he has to take his place their.

It is also fair to say that Pipe and Somner, whilst being the younger side of the average age of the squad, are fairly experienced first team members.

Realistically, Mayo, Pipe, Somner plus Silk, Weir-Daley and Weston - we presumed he'd signed on the basis there is no other left-wing candidate - would all be good enough to make the starting eleven on the first day of the new season.

There is little doubt that the experienced eleven would triumph.

The attributes of the youth team is that it has considerably better pace in the form of Pipe, Weston, Hunt, Frost and Weir-Daley whereas the experienced eleven have only three players you would consider to be blessed with natural speed in Parkinson, Sam and the expected to depart Mendes.

On the ball you'd expect the experienced team to be better with Smith and MacKenzie in particular good passes whereas Somner isn't known for this side of the game and Matt Austin is yet to make a senior appearance.

How about putting the two together? As it stands, discluding Weston as he is yet to make his mind up, Thompson's possible starting eleven would be:

Kevin Pilkington

Lee... His opening seasons as a player with Thompson at Lincoln City

David Pipe Mike Edwards Stephen Hunt Austin McCann

Jay Smith Matt Somner Neil MacKenzie

Hector Sam Jason Lee Spencer Weir-Daley

That means five of NCM's youth team and six of NCM's experienced side have made it surely proving the balance is right.

That particular starting eleven has an average age of 27 which is said to be the peak time of a footballer's ability.

Once again this summer, it appears Thompson may well have got it just right.