Match ratings v Shrewsbury Town... Including Stephen Hunt... 8

Last updated : 24 March 2008 By Paul Smith
Average - 6

Russell Hoult. STAR MAN. Third clean sheet on the spin for the on-loan
Hoult... Another clean sheet
Stoke City man, who gets better with every game. His experience told again as he thwarted the hosts with some excellent catching and even better stops. The one in stoppage time was one of the best of the season, and he deserved his clean sheet. Commanded his box effectively and marshalled the back four comfortably.
8

Lee Canoville.
Back in the starting eleven, Canoville didn't let anybody down and stuck to his task well throughout. Not quite as dominant aerially as he was on Saturday, but still won his fair share of ball and put in another good shift. Much improved from the Canoville of the start of the season. 7

Adam Tann.
Back in the centre, the captain again worked his socks off and managed to aid another crucial clean sheet and fine defensive display. Tann put his body on the line and made one superb block to deny a goalscoring opportunity. Wasn't concerned about switching position once more. 7

Hunt... Excellent return
Stephen Hunt.
Came close to Hoult for the star man accolade, and would probably have got it were it not for the goalkeepers stoppage time save. Hunt came back into the side for the first time since a poor display at Macclesfield, and performed as he did at the end of last season where he was superb. A real rock who was well up for the battle and clearly wanted to reclaim his place. Won everything and made a superb clearance to prevent a goal. 8

Paul Mayo.
Not as commanding as on Saturday, and too often he looked for the direct approach, but still a fairly comfortable afternoon's work from the former Lincoln City man who is now settled as Notts' regular left-back - and it shows. 6

Richard Butcher.
Too often on the periphery of the action, Butcher didn't get on the ball often enough. An ambitious early long range effort showed his vision, but was forced to play more defensively by the hosts. Didn't disappoint in terms of work rate. Is it unfair to say he is due a goal? 6

Jay Smith.
Toiled impressively once more, but found himself on the back foot for most of the afternoon. Needed to stamp his authority on proceedings more and failed to create the chances the front two craved. 6

Gary Silk.
According to Ian McParland was Notts' best player but I didn't see that. Fair enough, Silk was by no means poor, but he wasn't the best, that is an injustice to Hunt and Hoult. Perhaps a vote of confidence from his manager following Silk's stick from fans. But Silk did work hard and came very close to a cracker. Guilty of too many misplaced passes as usual. 7

Wayne Corden.
Notts' best attacking outlet. Corden tried to get the ball down and play and came fairly close to opening the scoring early on. Corners weren't the best, but he is dangerous on the counter attack and is Notts' danger man at present. Better in the first half, Corden lacked possession
Crow... Quiet
later on. 7

Ryan Jarvis.
Worked so hard once more and involved himself in the action in the opening half. Dropped deep to pick up the play, and played one magnificent pass to Corden. Jarvis chased plenty but didn't get the chances he craved. 7

Danny Crow.
Still we wait for the master finisher to perk up. Crow was again quiet, but this time didn't have the chances to liven himself up as Notts failed to give him the necessary service. That will disappoint him, but there is still the belief he will fire soon. Mansfield beware. 5

Subs

Spencer Weir-Daley (for Crow, 66).
Was brought on to add a bit of a buzz up the top and did that without getting on the ball enough. 6

Jason Lee (for Jarvis, 75).
Threw his weight about in both boxes. 6

Austin McCann (for Corden, 89). n/a