Notts County manager Kevin Nolan can already see the benefits after recruiting a blend of youth and experience in the January transfer window.
The manager says loanees Marc Bola (Arsenal), Josh Clackstone (Hull), Tahvon Campbell (West Brom) and Jorge Grant (Forest) have all brought ‘exuberance’ to Notts’ ranks, while the likes of himself and Shola Ameobi have added some much needed know-how.Nolan said of his young recruits: “They’ve brought an exuberance to the squad which is lovely to see. They’ve not been in this battle and they’ve not been at this club before. They give us a nice freshness.
“Shola Ameobi, with all his experience, can help them, along with Alan Smith and myself, and I think the lads have taken to that.
“You can see, bit by bit, we are growing in confidence and demanding more from each other.”
Nolan will take charge of his third home match as Notts manager this weekend as Cheltenham Town visit Meadow Lane.
Thierry Audel limped out of last weekend's defeat at Accrington with an injury but has trained this week along with Carl Dickinson, who missed the Magpies’ last two matches with a knee problem, while Curtis Thompson is back from suspension, leaving Nolan with a full squad to choose from.
And the manager is delighted to have such strong competition for places going into what he expects will be a very tricky encounter against a side who have also made significant moves in the transfer market.
He said: “It’s going to be a difficult game. Gary Johnson is very experienced at this level and very successful too.
“He’s recruited really well – they have added something like nine new faces since we played them earlier in the season.
“We’re going to have to watch a few videos and come together, give our opinions and discuss how we’re going to counteract them while getting the best out of our lads.”
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