In the first pre-season friendly win last night, Notts boss Steve Thompson employed the 4-3-3 formation he looks set to use for the forthcoming campaign.
That means the central midfield area is yet more vital with competition for places hotting up.
It doesn't show too much that Richard Butcher, Matt Somner and Neil MacKenzie were the three picked in the 5-0 victory over Saltash United, with plenty more games left to play.
But which three are the best to start? NCM take a closer look at the candidates.
Matt Somner.
Age: 24
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Squad number: 6
Appearances last season: 39 starts, 3 substitute showings.
Goals last season: 1
Strengths: Somner is one of the most combative players in the division. He likes nothing better than to put his foot in where it hurts and breaks up the play effectively. Will never lay down and die, Somner also rallies his team-mates and has enormous passion for the club as illustrated in an exclusive recent interview with NCM.
Weaknesses: The former Brentford ace is likely to pick up cautions for stupidity at times and he isn't the greatest passer of the ball at the club. Unlikely to hit too many goals either.
Likelihood starting rating: 80% As the most natural holding midfielder at the club, Somner is likely to be given the nod with Thompson unlikely to employ a fully attacking trio.
Would NCM start him? Yes, it would be unwise to start with three players who show their best form going forward. Somner can be more disciplined allowing the other two to bomb on and make things happen.
Gary Silk
Age: 23
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Squad number: 12
Appearances last season: 29 starts, 6 substitute showings.
Goals last season: 0
Strengths: Has a superb attitude to the game and a good engine, Silk is a good alternative to Somner as the player in the middle to break things up. Tenacious and one of the best tacklers at the club.
Weaknesses: Arrived, and performed mainly last season, as a right back. Would take some time to develop into a central player on a regular basis. Also not the most gifted distributor.
Likelihood starting rating: 40%
Would NCM start him? He is more of a starting candidate for right-back, but NCM do acknowledge that as the season progresses he could develop into a first team regular in this position. For now, he is better as Somner's understudy.
Richard Butcher
Age: 26
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Squad number: 23
Appearances last season: (For Peterborough United) 41 starts, 8 substitute showings.
Goals last season: 5
Strengths: Known in League Two circles as one of the fittest players in the league, Butcher will command the midfield area with his box-to-box approach, effective at both ends of the pitch. A tall and physically imposing player, Butcher is a scorer of cracking goals and has experience of promotion pushes.
Weaknesses: Failed to take his chance in League One with Oldham and hasn't managed to achieve promotion in five years of trying. Butcher perhaps doesn't score as many goals as he should considering his shooting capabilities.
Likelihood starting rating: 50%
Would NCM start him? Yes. Butcher will complement Somner and either Neil MacKenzie or Jay Smith. Somner would hold, Butcher would roam and the other attack. He would help out in both penalty areas.
Neil MacKenzie
Age: 31
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Squad number: 8
Appearances last season: (For Scunthorpe United): 10 starts, 14 substitute showings.
Goals last season: 2
Strengths: MacKenzie is the most experienced of the candidates for the central midfield spots and is perhaps the most technically gifted. A fine passer of the ball, MacKenzie knows what it is like to earn promotion after doing so with Scunthorpe last term.
Weaknesses: Not known for his tackling, MacKenzie is unlikely to win too many challenges in the battle area. Also hasn't started too many games in the past two seasons and has suffered from injuries in the past.
Likelihood starting rating: 50%
Would NCM start him? It is a tough one to call, but at the moment NCM would prefer Jay Smith simply as we have saw more of him and he was a great addition last season.
Jay Smith
Age: 25
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Squad number: 7
Appearances last season: 25 starts, 2 substitute showings.
Goals last season: 4
Strengths: Smith played for the whole time Notts used the 4-3-3 formation last term and would already know his role in that system. A good goals to games ratio last term and a great engine, Smith has established himself as a fine passer of the ball with an intelligent reading of the game.
Weaknesses: Dives into tackles fairly rashly and has had several long term injury lay-offs in the past two seasons. Smith sometimes disappears in games when he doesn't get good service.
Likelihood starting rating: 50%
Would NCM start him? Yes he gets the nod ahead of Butcher for knowing the system better and for already forging a good understanding with Somner last season having established himself as popular on the terraces already.
Closing comments: The midfield area will be vital to success - providing it isn't by-passed. Therefore it is vital Notts are competitive there and getting the balance is key.
The competition for places hasn't been better in this area for a long time, with the new additions making past Notts midfields look incompetent.
Providing they all work hard each one has a role to play.
NCM's preferred three: Smith, Somner, Butcher.
Do you agree? Have your say on the Messageboard.
Next up: Battle lines: What should be the front three