Football Season Review

Notts County entered the season with great expectations following the busy summer transfer window that they had, as Magpies managed to sign important players of several League One midtable sides. The season started well enough - the Magpies lost only one of their opening nine matches and were sitting firmly in the top six. However, their early home displays were not impressive, and the Magpies were found out in back to back home matches against Stevenage and Tranmere, which saw them completely losing their home momentum and never get it back. Their away form remained decent, as they only fell to their first away defeat in late January, but the poor home form saw the side drop out of the Play-off places, and manager Keith Curle was fired after his side fell to a humiliating defeat to Hartlepool in early February. The players didn't show a lot of understanding for the managerial change, as several senior players openly admitted that they were sick of the constant instability surrounding the club. Chris Kiwomya was named the caretaker manager and was eventually given the position on a permanent basis despite never getting the Magpies back into the race for a Play-off place. The fans will be encouraged by the fact that Kiwomya signed a three year contract, in what was a clear statement of intent by the club that they were ready to give Kiwomya time to make the squad his own and improve the results. Kiwomya identified the lack of a 20 goal a season striker as the main reason for the Magpies' shortcomings when playing in front of their own fans, and there is little doubt that a new striker will top their summer shopping list. The talent is definitely there in other areas of the pitch, and an addition to a proven League One level striker would give the fans real confidence that their side could make the Play-offs next season.

Player of the Season: Alan Judge