BIG Talking Notts - "I've heard John Spicer mentioned"

Smith: Here we are again then, another summer of rumours, targets and blind ambition at Meadow Lane. Yet another close season where I'm sure a lot of fans will regain all optimism that Notts will finally have a push for the play-offs. But after the season just gone, the worst in my 16 years as a fan, I will not be one for optimism this time. I expected a promotion push this year, largely on the back of noises from Steve Thompson et al and their expectant comments back in August. But it didn't quite happen like that did it mate?

Moss: Not at all, County were left scrapping for their lives at the bottom of the table. The season should have brought much more with the squad at Notts' disposal, but it didn't so there is not too much point on dwellling on it.

Thompson... False promises

In the end, the campaign was all about survival and in the end that was secured. It may not be an ideal scenario but you have to be happy with it in the end.

Smith: Ah, but there is a point in dwelling on it. Sure, the end result was what was needed considering the trauma of the months before, but we should dwell on it for a bit yet, and look exactly what went wrong and why, so it doesn't happen again. For instance, why did Steve Thompson and then chairman Jeff Moore state that Notts were ready for a promotion push when clearly, as the season has showed, the players weren't good enough. I just think they were giving us fans what we wanted to hear, rather than remaining realistic. It is that which causes blind optimism and leads to the fall of a football club.

Moss: I think we know what went wrong, Notts did not create enough chances and did not score enough goals. I am sure Steve Thompson was confident the set of players he had were good enough to mount a serious play-off, but for whatever reason it did not happen. Certain players who have proved effective at others clubs could not do the business in a Notts shirt. It happens in football and there is no way of explaining it. I see little point in dwelling on what happened with a manager emabrking on his first full season at the club. He has led you to survival, stripped the squad severely down and now needs to bring in his players to have a real crack at success next season. Charlie knows what went wrong and now it is time for the future. The season is gone and my opinion the majority of the poorest players have gone too.

Smith: OK, on to that retained list then. Was it what you expected? I wanted more to go, and I think McParland probably does as well, but with several of

Frost... A surprise choice to stay?

them still being in contract that may not be possible. Do you envisage him paying off any of those left.

Moss: I thought the list was absolutely spot on. Perhaps Stef Frost got lucky to be offered another deal but I assume he is one of the lowest earners in the senior squad, so maybe it just might be worth a risk. I cannot see any players having their contracts paid off, I do not think it is a financially beneficial option. Maybe one or two more players may go but that is only if there are potential employers waiting. I cannot imagine many Football League clubs queueing up for too many Notts County players after last season. I think the squad looks far tidier now and McParland just needs to add some meat to the bones.

Smith: I think there will still be one or two more departing. The likes of Neil MacKenzie and Paul Mayo, both senior players who had there fair share of good moments last term, never seemed to totally fit into McParland's plans from what I could see, and it wouldn't surprise me if they were allowed to move aside. It would be a case of lining up certain clubs and letting them go for free of course, but if that meant getting certain players off the list then I'm sure they would let them go. In MacKenzie and Mayos case it may make financial sense as I'm sure they are two of the top earners at the club. In terms of 'adding meat to the bones' who do you see as possible arrivals. So many available, but realistically is there any names you have heard?

Moss: I wouldn't know where to start with rumours. They are all part of the game now but half of these stories come from absolutely nothing and just create uneccesary hopes and sometimes even scupper deals. I am sure McParland has a shortlist lined up, in fact we know there is a list of 'exciting'

Spicer... Rumoured to interest Notts

possible signings at Notts, so lets just see who comes in and how they do. Plenty of County players were hyped up last season and it didn't pay any rewards.

Smith: Very good points there mate, most sensible thing you have said all day. I certainly hope Notts aren't linked with released Grimsby midfielder Ciaran Toner again! One thing we know is that there will be no arrivals until June, or at least it is very unlikely especially with McParland off on his holidays and most of the football world likely following suit. I've heard John Spicer of Burnley mentioned, he has been released and I know that several Mansfield players are likely to have been brought up, with Michael Boulding and Matty Hamshaw no doubt top of a lot of League Two sides lists. I for one would welcome all three of those, they would make us a real attacking threat when you add Myles Weston, Richard Butcher and perhaps one more, bigger striker to the mix.