Signings imperative

Last updated : 02 February 2009 By Dane Vincent

Lacking: Nowland's injury leaves the midfield area looking thin.
Saturday's loss highlighted just how desperately the club needs to recruit fresh talent.

Adam Nowland's injury leaves the Magpies' midfield looking as threadbare as the Derek Pavis side of the pitch at the back end of last season.

County couldn't move for central players a few months ago but the departures of Jay Smith and Neil Mackenzie, as well as a host of injuries, have left the area looking incredibly thin and lacking strength in depth.

Fans have backed the manager's decision to ship out fringe players in an attempt to boost his chances of bringing in superior players, with only 19.7 per cent disagreeing with the move in the site's latest poll.

The Spireites were let off the hook by Notts in the opening period, with a bagful of chances going to waste.

For them to smash and grab all three points was a bitter blow, especially when coupled with a dire second half performance.

Although the team is edging closer to last year's goal total several months earlier, a lack of cutting edge is still evident - not just up front but all over.

It is not a solitary incident either, with dozens of chances unconvincingly spurned. A striker with an eye for goal may have turned some of the draws, and even losses, into wins.

Statistics show that County have been the fifth worst at turning attempts into

Cutting edge: Forte could be the answer to Notts' lack of conviction up front.
goals. Just 11.37 per cent of shots have rustled the back of the net.

Hours away from the deadline things are not looking too rosy. Targets opting to go elsewhere, weighing up their options or demanding too much money are just a few dilemmas that McParland and football bosses across Europe are facing.

Whilst Manchester City are throwing their billions around willy-nilly, Notts are having to pluck within the free-range market - the loan and unattached aisle - which is a very difficult thing to do at the term's mid-way point.

The window will slam shut at 5pm this evening so keep tabbed to see if the Magpies are successful in snapping up an undiscovered diamond or a talented youngster on temporary terms.