Final thought: The Battleground

Last updated : 10 February 2008 By Paul Smith
You could say that Notts boss Ian McParland has an embarassment of riches in the midfield at present with no fewer than 14 members of his 25-man squad having played in any of the four positions across the middle at one time in their careers.
McParland... Embarassment of riches?


There is Andy Parkinson, Lawrie Dudfield, Stef Frost and Ali Gibb down the right. In the middle you have Richard Butcher, Mike Edwards, Matt Somner, Jay Smith, Neil MacKenzie, Gary Silk, Matt Austin and Gavin Strachan. And down the left there is Austin McCann, Paul Mayo and Myles Weston - plus Felix Bastians should he return on loan.

In truth, it is unlikely that Dudfield will be asked to play down the right again so it is fair to take him out of the equation.

The same can be said of Edwards in the middle, while Frost, Austin and Mayo are all out on loan. Bastians isn't at the club presently and so cannot be included, but Butcher can, and has, played in any of the three positions.

All that leaves Parkinson, Gibb and Butcher fighting it out for the right wing and McCann, Butcher and Weston for the left.

In the middle Butcher would most like to play there, but has to battle it out for a place with Strachan, Smith, Silk, MacKenzie and Somner. That said, former Brentford man Somner hasn't appeared for Notts since being replaced by then goalscoring hero MacKenzie after 56 minutes of Notts 2-1 win over Shrewsbury 11 games ago. The score was then 1-0 to the visitors, but Notts went on to win 2-1 - MacKenzie netting a last minute winner.

That rules Somner out of contention you'd have thought, while McCann is unlikely to get the nod down the left wing due to his natural position being at full-back.

Strachan... Recent addition
The preferred midfield of McParland of late, has seen Gibb or Butcher down the right, Strachan and Silk in the middle and either Butcher or Bastians on the left.

And it is that formation that has aided Notts' recent unbeaten run of five games - and also four without a win. This surely illustrates that defensively Notts have been good (only conceding three times in the sequence) and attacking not good enough (scoring four in the five).

Silk and Strachan are both more naturally holding players. Players who like to sit in and break up play, working hard defensively and playing the ball simply. This is reflected in the fact that Notts are currently better defensively than going forward.

When you see that in the six league games Notts have won, four have them have seen the attack-minded Butcher and MacKenzie paired together for the majority of the game, while one other had them together from the time Notts were one down to end up winning 2-1.

The only time they didn't was the latest win, as Strachan and Silk partnered each other in the 1-0 success over Chester City.

But balance is the right answer. Silk and Strachan doesn't work to get that winning formula because they are too defensive as a duo. MacKenzie and
Gibb... Provides balance
Butcher has worked, as the wins have showed, but they have played together in just as many defeats.

Then there is Smith who returned to the starting eleven for the first time in five months and is another player who can score from midfield and attack well. But he also has defensive capabilities in that he works hard and isn't afraid to tackle.

On the right the selection is perhaps easier owing to the terrible form of Parkinson this term. Gibb is at least a natural winger in spite of his fairly anonymous showings. But with competition so rife in the middle, could a cenral player do a better job there? Perhaps Smith is a decent candidate with his engine?

On the left Weston provides natural balance and a good left foot, and has impressed at times with his directness and pace effective.

Competition for places is rife - and McParland has plenty to choose from.

Using the flat four, here is NCM's choice: