Contrary to the ‘he turned his back on us; so we’ll return the gesture’ mind-set that a very noisy minority of County ‘supporters’ adopt, the capture (or re-capture, as it were) of former Notts striker David McGoldrick represents a very astute move on the part of former Iceland boss Gudjon Thordarson.
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A strike-rate of fourteen goals in just seven reserve and youth outings for the Saints speaks very much for itself, with McGoldrick – who comes highly-rated by Saints boss, Harry Redknapp – set to make his homecoming appearance for the club that raised and, later, sold him as a teenager.
Redknapp – whose earlier success-stories in nurturing raw talent boasts the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Jermaine Defoe and Frank Lampard – remains a firm believer in shipping out youngsters as part of their footballing education, with McGoldrick set to follow the long line of youngsters in the Redknapp production line.
The Nottingham-born striker remains the club’s second ever youngest player, second only to fellow ex-Magpies starlet, Jermaine Pennant.
However, McGoldrick has gone where Pennant – so far – has failed to step, as the now Southampton striker re-signed for Notts earlier today, albeit on a one-month deal.
And regardless of the very much outspoken marginal of fans who’ll be upset by his return, the arrival of a quality (and for that there is no doubt) youngster in the side is something, for a fourth division club, that is not to be sniffed at.
With Steve Scoffham set to serve the second of a three-match ban tomorrow, it is likely that the now 18-year old will be named in the sixteen-man squad to face Rushden.
Notts, and indeed Gudjon, appear to have struck Gold once again.