A Kink In The Road To Promotion

The National League is arguably one of the toughest divisions to get out of. With only two teams able to gain promotion. But have Notts County finally cracked the code?

Despite last nights draw with Bromley, County have had an unbelievable start to the season. Being one of the biggest clubs in England’s fifth tier, the expectation each year from fans and pundits is extremely high, but with the club sat top of the league after 17 games played, some feel this could finally be Notts County’s year and a return to the football league would be priceless for the club and their supporters. The oldest English professional side who entered their 4th season outside of the Football League this year, from a far it looks like the transition period has finally come to plan, and if they keep pushing the way they have been, EFL football could finally be returning to Meadow Lane.

County have looked unstoppable at times this year, scoring goals for fun and putting the majority of teams they have faced to bed. A few bumps in the road have cropped up including last nights 1-1 draw and a disappointing 3-2 defeat in the FA Cup to seventh tier Coalville Town, but Luke Williams has assembled a serious competitive squad that on their day as proven, can beat any team in the league.

Hitting the post three times just last night, goals have usually not been an issue so far this season, with the club scoring the second highest amount of goals (45) in the National League, behind second placed Wrexham who have scored 47. They have one man In particular who has taken it upon himself to find the back of the net this campaign, league top scorer Macauley Longstaff who has bagged 17 goals, 5 ahead of Wrexham talisman Paul Mullen. Longstaff bagged 28 goals in the National League North last season with Gateshead, and earned his move into the National League. A move where thus far, he hasn’t let his new team down. The system Luke Williams has developed seems to have suited him and with the exciting football that the Head Coach has established at Meadow Lane, I have no doubt, injury free, he will beat his tally of 28 from last season and take Notts County to promotion.

One player I know a lot about is Matty Palmer. The former Burton Albion academy graduate has finally found himself a new home after a tough few years, and he’s showing his quality as a must have in the Magpies midfield to not just helping his defence keeping goals out, but also supplying the in form forwards at the other end. His time at Burton was memorable, he quickly became a fans favourite and helped the Brewers move through the football league and earn promotion to the Championship. His performance in a Notts County shirt did attract some interest from the football league at the start of the season, it was even rumoured Burton wanted to bring him back to the Pirelli Stadium to bolster their own midfield.

After Palmer left the Brewers in January 2018 for Rotherham United, he had struggled to find consistency at various clubs, but now the Magpies have managed to keep hold of him, there is no doubt in my mind that Palmer will continue to grow as a player in the middle of the park, and will be a key figure in Williams’ squad as The Mags look to keep pushing at the top end of the league.

As the season enters its Christmas period. It will be interesting to see how County can adapt and hold on to top spot. After a disappointing draw at Meadow Lane on Tuesday, the gap between second place Wrexham is now down to one point. It’s well known how much money the Welsh club have spent under Hollywood owners, and Notts County’s good squad depth and average age could be massive as the fixtures will start to come thick and fast.

A weekend off to refresh for Luke Williams’ squad as they are no longer in the FA Cup, but as they go again next Tuesday In front of the BT Sport cameras at Southend, the club will look to push back into winning ways and carry on building this already outstanding points tally they have.