Notts team of the season

Goalkeeper - Kevin Pilkington. Only two candidates really, with Russell Hoult the other. Long term understudy Tim Sandercombe made just the one appearance so that rules him out. In terms of Pilkington and Hoult they were equally as good, and that good was actually very impressive. They kept the same number of clean sheets, seven, and Pilkington played 21 times more which despite having a worse average clean sheet score, is why he gets the nod. He made more of a bearing on the whole campaign.

Right back - Adam Tann. Although he performed at centre back more times, Tann was the Magpies' best performing right back in the games he played there. Gary Silk played just a handful of matches there, and wasn't always steady while Lee Canoville made too many errors. Tann was always solid, as he was in the centre, and one of Notts' most determined players throughout the campaign.

Centre back - Mike Edwards. Simply immense from his January return right through to the end. Showed no signs of the horrific pre-season injury and he had a major say in Notts' survival. Hardly put a foot wrong and despite playing only half the season fully deserves this place. A mention must go to Krystian Pearce who enjoyed a fine loan spell but Notts' poor form at that time counts against him, as does the fact Edwards and Johnson were as good but for a longer time and come as a partnership.

Centre back - Michael Johnson. Another who didn't start the season, and indeed only arrived on loan as late as February, but every Notts fan knows he would be in the team of the season. Johnson oozed class, and had as big a say as anyone did in the preserving of the Football League status for another year.


Left back - Paul Mayo. Has had his critics, but he hasn't had too bad a first season at all. There is definite room for improvement, particularly when it comes to his distribution, but Mayo has always remained dogged, professional and full of spirit. Austin McCann didn't perform consistently enough and not in nowehere near as many games as Mayo. Stephen Hunt did OK, but Mayo was more consistent here over the course of the season.

Right wing - Ryan Jarvis. Although a striker by trade, Jarvis' best performances for Notts came in the wide right role, a role that has been a problem position for Ian McParland's men. Ali Gibb was poor, Butcher better in the middle, and Andy Parkinson ineffective.



Centre midfield - Richard Butcher. No doubts about this one. The Magpies' top scorer with twelve had a fine first campaign despite question marks about his overall influence. He has scored the goals that have kept us up and has always been up for the fight.



Centre midfield - Neil MacKenzie. Enjoyed an immaculate start to the season, looking every inch the playmaker he was brought in to be and winning vital matches with his dead ball specials. Injuries hampered him and he lost form towards the end but his start gets him in. There is also a lack of other competition with Gavin Strachan not playing enough, Jay Smith far from his best and Gary Silk and Matt Somner poor.

Left wing - Myles Weston. Superb at the end of the season, many forget that Weston also enjoyed some promising displays in certain games over the duration, no matter how sporadic they were. Felix Bastians nor Wayne Corden produced the same impact, and Weston's end to the season showed a lot of promise.


Striker - Spencer Weir-Daley. Everybody knows the problems Notts have had up front and picking two strikers out of Hector Sam, Craig Lindfield, Danny Crow, Jason Lee, Lawrie Dudfield, Jarvis (at right wing) and Weir-Daley is tough. Weir-Daley hasn't had a great year but is the top scoring league striker so gets a place.


Striker - Danny Crow. Just about every Notts fan would have a different opinion on the best two strikers to play this season, and it isn't an easy choice. Crow gets the shout because his goals to game ratio is a tad better. One every seven games compared to Lee's one to 33, and both Dudfield and Sam's one in 12. Lindfield had just one good game.