So far we're on course for our highest PPG ratio at this level so far which shows what a pace the top clubs have set and if it hadn't been for those awful 3 games we could be close to top.
Obviously every club has 'what ifs' but to me it shows that our recruitment has improved massively. We seem to have gone for quality rather than quantity which wasn't the case for a good few years and we've had a couple of notable upgrades in Palmer for Reeves and Cameron for Rawlinson. So far so good for most and around halfway through the season I'd score them at;
Cameron - 9 - surely one of our most influential defenders in getting on for a decade;
Nemane - 6 - the odd moment but too inconsistent and not available enough so far;
Palmer - 9 - perfect fit for the role, just needs the odd goal;
Francis - 5 - nothing special so far, always had the potential to be the new Will Patching and hasn't cemented the role the club made it clear had been earmarked for him. Young enough to improve;
Taylor - 8 - grown more important over the season and looks a better all rounder than Miller;
Vincent - 7 - slow start but great energy and has taken his chance well;
Mitchell - 6 - presumably brought in as a squad player initially, hasn't had that many opportunities but you'd have hoped for more of an impact.
Patterson - 9 - great choice at the right time, can't remember the last loan keeper to do so well;
Parsons - too early to tell;
Richardson - ditto;
The other defender from Wednesday - whatever, I'm sure he's a fine, upstanding young man who loves his mum.
For ages I've moaned about our lack of dynamism in midfield, and Vincent has gone a fair way to solving that. He would be my MOM today, he was at the heart of a lot of our best moments. Even though not everything comes off, I like that he's prepared to take a risk rather than settle for the safe option. We have looked a better team since he came in.
Totally agreed, think early season we were clearly lacking a midfielder who got around the pitch, picked up second balls and had that boundless energy you need in there. Vincent has all of that and the bonus of real quality on the ball and a genuine goal threat. Confident his decision making will keep improving with more coaching and games, but he’s got everything you need to be a really good midfielder.
I took a mate today who doesn’t support Notts.
He said Vincent looks like our best player.
He certainly had a good game.
I think with Palmer and Vincent, they compliment each other very well. One won’t be as productive without the other.
Since Vincent has come into the team, Palmer just edges it for me, purely on consistency.
Agree with all the above. Vincent ran himself into the ground today. Far and away one of our best at the moment.
So are we now in a position (temporarily obviously) to say the recruitment was actually good for this season? Or is that pushing it on here?
We are in a position to say that the recruitment is better than it has been in the recent past for certain. Davy may disagree. Where is he now? It has to be though with a smaller squad. We are also utilising the loan market much better. There can't be any argument other than that. We are running smarter and leaner. Obviously some of the signings yet to show much Mitchell and so on but I am sure they will get their chance next season. As they say laddo the proof is in the pudding. Let's see how we finish up next May before drawing any final conclusions. We need a minimum of a point at Chesterfield. Ideally we need to win. Big ask.
Fair to say now that the players we are bringing are better than those they have replaced.
Palmer over Reeves
Cameron over Rawlinson
Patterson over Slocombe
Richardson over DKE
Vincent over JOB
Obviously there are some players that are still convince (Mitchell, Francis and Nemane) but they will get further chances in the future.