Kidderminster: The aftermath

Many of the 663 travelling fans left Aggborough very disappointed with what they had seen. Though, there had been good points to come from the game- not least the reminder dealt by Tony Scully as to what he can do- a 0-0 draw against Kidderminster is bad enough. A 0-0 draw that Notts scarcely deserved is far, far worse.

Without meaning to sound too negative just two games into a season that promised so much, Notts, apart from 5 minute spells at the beginning of eaxh half, were out-played by Harriers- the kind of side we should sweep aside with ease should Mills' men want to progress from this league.

Without doubt, the injuries to Oakes, Palmer and Scully are one of the key factors in Notts' two disappointing displays so far. As Mills himself has said, they're our three most creative players.

Wilson: Promising display

The injuries sustained by that trio has also forced Mills to move to a 3-5-2 formation, after his side had played all pre-season with an orthodox 4-4-2. This change will have badly affected a group of new players already struggling to adjust to each other.

One worry to arise from both of the opening games, particularly Tuesday's encounter, is that for all the injuries in midfield, the attack in both games was Mills' first choice pairing for the season ahead. And it hardly looks full of goals.

Gavin Gordon already looks like following on from messrs Platt & Antoine-Curier as not only targetman, but also the Magpies' crowd's whipping boy. Despite this, I feel the former Cardiff frontman did OK on Tuesday night, linking-up the play well throughout.

Glynn Hurst, however, has been a huge disappointment. Though it has only been two games, and he may well go on to score the goals that see us promoted, the former Chesterfield striker has hardly lived up to his billing. If he carries on in this vein, Steve Scoffham may well walk (no pun intended) back into the side when he recovers from his broken leg.

Of the new signings, Baudet has been by far the most impressive. The Frenchman marshalled the defence with ease in both games and looks, unlike the rest of the playing squad, far too good for this level. In midfield, both Matty Gill & Mike Edwards have disappointed.

Rob Ullathorne has impressed though, and keeper Wayne Henderson enjoyed a competent debut on Tuesday night. A special mention must also go to young Kelvin Wilson, who barely put a foot wrong. The 18-year-old also produced a tremendous goal-line clearence after a brilliant 5-man Kidderminster move had ended in a well-struck volley.

The move wasn't a one-off. For all Notts' faults, the hosts were far from your average Third Division outfit. In fact, their 'on the deck' style of play resembled something like what we were hoping to see from the Magpies this season.

With Senegelese striker Yossou Diop putting himself about well in attack (another reason as to why Wilson & Baudet stood out), Simon Brown dangerous on the right and Fredric Advice- Desruisseaux a commanding presence in the middle, Jan Molby's side certainly have reasons to be optimistic for the upcoming campaign.

Overall, there were positives to take from Tuesday night. And it's far, far too early to say whether the club will, or will not, get promoted, but the experience for those who travelled will certainly have brought those supporters back down to earth with a bump.

We await Saturday's trip to Bristol with nervous anticipation...