Who is Notts' player of the season?

Last updated : 04 April 2007 By Paul Smith and Gary Moss

The Candidates

Edwards... Favourite for the award voted for by fans
Mike Edwards

Position: "Centre-back" (Make a note Thommo)

Age: 27

Appearances: 44 (43 starts)

Goals: 4

Clean sheets when he has started: 14

One of the favourites for this award. A true professional. Many of the Magpies' faithful will have you believe he is one of the best defenders in the league and he has certainly stood up to this claim this season.

His defensive displays have been strong and commanding more often than not. His ability to head, tackle and block, make him one of the very best in the business. It is no surprise too, that earlier in the season he bought out some of former Captain Alan White's best performances. Easy to play with and not to so easy to face as many League Two forwards have found out so far this term.

This is why when manager Steve Thompson decided to move the defensive jewel to midfield; it was greeted angrily by many Notts fans. On one side, it shows a folly of a boss who chooses to play his best defensive personnel higher up the park. But, it also shows the pure quality of the man Mike Edwards to adapt supremely and put in a number of solid holding midfield performances.

Upon his return to the heart of County's defence he has been paired with the ever improving and consistent young Stephen Hunt, who can only benefit from playing next to someone with Edwards' experience and talent.

'Steady Eddy' has popped up four times from the back so far this campaign, most notably in the giant-killing of Championship outfit Southampton at Meadow Lane.

There won't be too many Notts fans who would argue against Mike Edwards being the front runner for County's player of the season accolade.

A great season!

Jason Lee

Position: Striker

Age: 35

Appearances: 35 (all starts)

Goals: 15

If a single player has netted above or at least near to the twenty goal mark a

Lee... Bookings may scupper top scorers hopes
season, they have undoubtedly earnt this trophy. Mark Stallard (2002/03), Danny Allsop (2001/02) and Gary Jones (1997/98) have all scored twenty plus in recent seasons and carried home the votes.

Unfortunately, at least as of yet with only six games left in the season, Notts haven't a single player with twenty goals, the nearest to it being target man Lee who has fifteen. It perhaps would have been more had he survived several suspensions due to the enormous amount of yellow cards he has amassed, currently standing at an incredible 18.

Regardless, the fact he is the top goalscorer makes him an outstanding candidate for this award, particularly when you learn of the criticism of his appointment as Notts' number 9 at the start of the season. Many saw him as an over-the-hill journeyman, synonymous with fierce rivals Nottingham Forest. Lee quickly overcame those who doubted him with both goals and all round displays coming thick and fast.

Integral to Thompson's game plan, Lee has been competitive, strong and has used all his experience throughout the topsy turvy campaign.

He is rarely beaten in the air and has provided many of the most exciting moments of the season, his goals decisive in important victories over Barnet, Accrington, Wrexham and Torquay.

Notts have always been able to look to Lee to produce some entretainment and it could be argues Notts have over reliant on a player surely in his last two seasons as a Professional.

The only black mark would be that he does have more bookings than goals, a factor that may hold him back when supporters cast their votes.

Hunt... Strong contender with nerveless performances
Stephen Hunt

Position: Centre-back

Age: 23

Appearances: 30 (22 starts)

Goals: 1

Clean Sheets when he has started: 7

A late comer this season, the youngster has wasted no time since being given his chance to shine with some sterling displays at the heart of the Notts defence. For him to be considered as a candidate after the start he had to Thompson's tenure is testament to his quality.

Signed by Thompson's predecessor Gudjon Thordarson as part of the last bit of business the Icelander did for the club, Hunt was immediately shipped out on trial to Lincoln City before returning and fighting his way into Thompson's plans with some solid displays as a substitute.

He excelled in the most exciting part of Notts' season - the glorious Carling Cup win as he started all four fixtures, including the wins at Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough aswell as the home success over Southampton. He was hardly at fault as the Magpies crashed out at home to Wycombe in Round 4.

This earnt him further appearances in the league, and as Alan White's form dipped, and Notts went so long without a clean sheet, Hunt was given his chance and made it so that only a brief three week layoff through injury kept him out of the starting eleven.

He is now firmly a first choice, his pace, determination, ability to use the ball and composure make him a tough nut to crack and a player with the ability to surely play at a much higher level.

In the two games since he and Edwards have been re-united as the definite first choice back two, Notts have yet to concede, and more of that will surely come due to his impressive frame and solid positioning.

At the moment Hunt looks unbeatable, but has his time come too late?

Jay Smith

Position: Central midfield

Age: 25

Appearances: 22 (20 starts)

Goals: 4

Jay Smith must surely be considered of one of Thompson's best moves as

Smith... Late arrival may make headway
Notts boss. Bringing in the midfield dynamo on loan from Southend United has been a masterful success in anyone's book.

Just four goals to his name thus far during his time at Meadow Lane, but this doesn't stop him filling the mould of a goal scoring midfielder.

His spectacular effort against Lincoln City earlier this season shows exactly what a danger he can be from outside the box. That strike went on to kick start arguably Notts' best performance of the season as County brushed aside the high-flying Imps 3-1.

After the spontaneous arrival of the young gun so far, Thompson was quick to tie Smith to a permanent deal, agreeing a contract with him until the end of next season. He could do stupider things that begin to build a midfield around the energy and creation of one of his biggest impact signings in League 2.

Maybe an outside bet for Notts' 'Player of the Season', but certainly worth a mention as he has put in numerous good performances at a time that without his presence could have seen the Magpies slide further down the table.

Smith definitely has more to give, and don't rule out a few more goals before the end of the season, but he has certainly shown so far he is and can be a great talent in a black and white striped shirt.

Outsiders

Dudfield... If you are a betting man...
As the NCM board have acknowledged, it is hard to look past the likes of favourite Edwards, top goalscorer Lee and emerging young gun Hunt for the trophy, though Smith has impressed many to perhaps be considered for some votes.

Other than that?

Austin McCann's early season form saw NCM users label him as Thompson's best summer signing, though his form did wane from the middle of the season until now. Will his start keep him in good stead as a consistently good player?

Lawrie Dudfield has impressed most with his hard working nature and his dribbling skills. He has created several Notts goals and put in arguably the best performance of any individual as he created four goals in the 5-2 win over Torquay. Though he hasn't figured on the score sheet too prominently, and endured a quiet start with Junior Mendes first choice, Dudfield has worked his way into Thompson's thoughts with his effort, determination and attitude endearing him to several supporters.