Squad selector

Last updated : 21 June 2007 By Paul Smith
Having signed two new defenders, a midfielder, a striker and a young goalkeeper so far, with another experienced striker almost about to put pen to paper (NCM suspect its Andy Cooke) the squad is shaping up.

All the noises around the club are targeting promotion next season, but is the squad good enough as it stands?

Currently the club has two goalkeepers - new youngster Tim Sandercombe and the experienced Kevin Pilkington who will be starting his third season at Meadow Lane.

The defenders on the books are new left-back Paul Mayo with Austin McCann last seasons regular in that position still in the ranks.

Another new defender is Adam Tann who can play right-back or centre-back, with Gary Silk, David Pipe and former YTS Rob Austin others who can play right-back, and Stephen Hunt and Mike Edwards others who play centre-back.

In midfield Notts have last seasons central midfield regulars in Matt Somner, Jay Smith and also Silk can also perform effectively here.

Pipe can perform across the midfield, but most effectively from the right, while Andy Parkinson plays on either wing, Stef Frost from the right, and another former YTS, Rob's twin brother Matt, plays most regularly from the centre of midfield.

Attack minded central player Neil MacKenzie was the first summer signing, arriving from Championship new boys Scunthorpe United. MacKenzie is also effective from the right.

Thompson currently has four strikers on his books in last seasons 16-goal top scorer Jason Lee, eight-goal man Lawrie Dudfield and summer transfer Hector Sam.

The other is Junior Mendes though his much publicised spat with Thompson has seen him placed on the transfer list with a value of £0.

There is no doubting that the squad is looking impressive as it stands and moneybags Peterborough United aside, is up there with the best the division has to offer.

The strength at present lies at the back.

Edwards and Hunt formed a hugely impressive partnership and looked extremely difficult to beat while the arrival of four time playoff performer Mayo should bring the early season best out of McCann who looked top notch when on song.

All Notts fans know of Pipe's obvious capabilities while Tann got promoted as a regular from this level two season ago and is a more than capable deputy across the back line.

Another centre-back may be required - as a challenger to the first choice two with tann better as a right-back meaning Edwards and Hunt lack cover.

In midfield a new wide man on either wing is needed regardless of the formation Thompson adopts.

Parkinson can play on both but frustrated many last term, while Pipe is seen by most as a better defender.

In the centre the balance seems correct with Mackenzie and Smith adept as attacking forces and Somner or Silk good enough to break things up and be disciplined as a holder.

Another capable box-to-box player who can do both would add versatility (NCM believe Richard Butcher may be that man).

Should Thompson get that fourth striker then the forward line looks competitive.

Not one of them is likely to immediately strike twenty goals but all are capable of 15 (Mendes discluded as his future is weak) and that will be good enough providing two of them do.

As the current squad stands, here is NCM's starting eleven.

Pilkington.. Experienced stopper who knows what it takes to be a success





















Tann... Promoted from League 2 before. Solid in the tackle and good going up
Edwards... Player of season last year for consistency. Hardly flustered
Hunt... Tall, pacey and athletic Hunt takes no prisoners
McCann... Helped by competition from Mayo good all-round






















Pipe... Remains fans favourite. Determined, pacey, creative and passionate
Smith... The link man who enjoys a battle. Goalscorer and good passer of key balls
MacKenzie... New boy keeps possession and pops up with crackers. Provides balance






















Sam... powerful dribbler with eye for goal could be lethal weopan
Lee... old head provides aerial strength, power and knowhow
Dudfield... intelligent work horse with good finishing ability if more central






















The rest:

Tim Sandercombe (GK): Unknown quantity but will learn from Pilkington.

Paul Mayo (LB): McCann's greater consistency gives him the nod but Mayo is a fine understudy at this level with an effective left boot.

Gary Silk (RB): Getting better but still lacks in positional sense at times and will continue to grow this season.

Matt Somner (CM): Likely to start as he is the natural midfield holding player but his passing can be questioned and NCM have gone more attacking with such a strong backline.

Andy Parkinson (winger): Good experience and will score 5-8 goals if on song but lacks cutting edge at times and is behind a few players until his consistency improves.

Rob and Matt Austin and Stef Frost are likely to be fringe players.

Junior Mendes should go with Richard Butcher, Andy Cooke, Myles Weston and Michael Byron likely arrivals.