No strikers yet! Don't worry...

Notts County fans' finger nails are shortening by the minute at the prospect of Spencer Weir-Daley and Jamie Forrester descending onto the pitch at Valley Parade as the team's first choice strike-force.

Two small: Notts need a striker to support the likes of Forrester and Weir-Daley...

At this level, having two small strikers is not something that you would associate with a successful side, as the long ball game is frequently called upon, especially when the going gets tough.

There is no doubt that County are desperate to secure the signing of a front-man (or two) that can hold his own against the bullish defenders that populate this level of the game.

As time passes the edginess amongst the Magpies faithful is becoming increasingly apparent, shown by the number of topics relating to the matter occupying the NCM Messageboard.

Having just two natural strikers on the books is a worrying statistic at this

Wrong Meadow: Walker opted to flock to New Meadow rather than Meadow Lane...

stage of pre-season, especially when it appears that the best of the free agents are being snapped up thick and fast.

Thus, the likeliness of a signing strong goal-scoring talent appears to be diminishing rapidly - cue panic.

After last year's dreadful contribution, supporters are desperately calling out for a striker to fire them the clouds of League Two, rather than the pits that we have all become so accustomed to.

There is no doubt that more strikers will arrive at Meadow Lane over the summer to accompany ex-Lincoln City forward, Forrester.

At face value there may not appear to be that many good attackers remaining, with the likes of Richard Walker affiliating themselves with other sides.

Taking a look back at last season, there should be no qualms, however, as the management team have displayed that they can pull a quality signing out of the blue.

Quality: Johnson signing demonstrates the club's pulling power...

Michael Johnson and Russell Hoult spring to mind as shock arrivals on what we believed to be a shoe-string budget.

The fact that Notts are not panic buying is a breath of fresh air. For many seasons we have been lumbered with the dead wood that other clubs at this level deem surplus to requirements.

Should the trials of non-league hotshot, Greg Pearson and ex-Nottingham Forest youngster Ben Fairclough prove unsuccessful, there should be no doubt that more players will be in mind.

Taking a more cautious approach will hopefully pay off for the Magpies, who have to build upon last term's contributions to prevent another struggle.

Already, in comparison to last year, there have been vast improvements

Cautious: McParland is taking his time to get the right men...

in all quarters. Looking at the arrivals against the departures, there is an immediate sign that this season will be a step up from the last.

Hopefully this calibre of player - up front in particular - will continue to flock to Meadow Lane throughout the remainder of the transfer window, to the help push towards League One.