FOR Charlie McParland and Notts County there is simply only one direction to go-up.
The Magpies signed off their fraught season with a 1-1 draw at Chesterfield on the final day but even in this end of season meaningless encounter, Notts’ problems on the field were only all too evident.
The manager admitted some players already looked like they were on their holidays. It spoke of an attitude that fits only too well with some of the individual abject performances that have blighted the club’s season and left them embarrassingly close to non-league football.
And limited, if any, blame can be attributed to the Scotsman. Inheriting a squad with so little self belief and motivation, the number of loan players he felt the need to bring in highlighted the attitude of several players letting themselves and the club down.
But now a new leaf can be turned at Meadow Lane-and the club can look to get back on the road to recovery.
There can not be enough praise bestowed on the move to already sign one of the key components for Notts relegation escape- in the form of Michael Johnson.
As much as Johnson may have signed for the club regardless if it is to be his last year in the game, McParland’s attitude and treatment of such a respected pro is a good indicator of the respect he commands. It can only be hoped he can pull off one or two other such significant signings.
The exits of Jason Lee and Laurie Dudfield highlights the experience the squad is set to lose but is was required given the unaccepetable response in the final third this season.
Continuity and stability is key to any club’s progression. But in Notts’ current case as much major surgery as possible on the squad was the only way to go forward.
A main priority also remains with the capture of a striker who can net at least 10 to 15 goals next season. The Magpies finished bottom of total goals scored chart this year-even below relegated Mansfield and Wrexham.
Play-offs and possible promotion out of League Two are at the moment a distant dream. An injection of goals from one forward next season and a more settled and experienced back four should mean the club can begin to look forward again-rather than over their shoulder.
The Magpies signed off their fraught season with a 1-1 draw at Chesterfield on the final day but even in this end of season meaningless encounter, Notts’ problems on the field were only all too evident.
The manager admitted some players already looked like they were on their holidays. It spoke of an attitude that fits only too well with some of the individual abject performances that have blighted the club’s season and left them embarrassingly close to non-league football.
And limited, if any, blame can be attributed to the Scotsman. Inheriting a squad with so little self belief and motivation, the number of loan players he felt the need to bring in highlighted the attitude of several players letting themselves and the club down.
But now a new leaf can be turned at Meadow Lane-and the club can look to get back on the road to recovery.
There can not be enough praise bestowed on the move to already sign one of the key components for Notts relegation escape- in the form of Michael Johnson.
As much as Johnson may have signed for the club regardless if it is to be his last year in the game, McParland’s attitude and treatment of such a respected pro is a good indicator of the respect he commands. It can only be hoped he can pull off one or two other such significant signings.
The exits of Jason Lee and Laurie Dudfield highlights the experience the squad is set to lose but is was required given the unaccepetable response in the final third this season.
Continuity and stability is key to any club’s progression. But in Notts’ current case as much major surgery as possible on the squad was the only way to go forward.
A main priority also remains with the capture of a striker who can net at least 10 to 15 goals next season. The Magpies finished bottom of total goals scored chart this year-even below relegated Mansfield and Wrexham.
Play-offs and possible promotion out of League Two are at the moment a distant dream. An injection of goals from one forward next season and a more settled and experienced back four should mean the club can begin to look forward again-rather than over their shoulder.
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