Notts County currently find themselves amidst an ongoing battle to secure a play-off place in League Two and with the January transfer window looming, which areas do they need to strengthen and who should they look to target?
The Magpies have slipped down to 11th in League Two and haven’t tasted a victory in the fourth tier since the end of October, meaning they are winless in their last five matches and face a tough fixture against Bradford City on Saturday.
With star player Jodi Jones currently out with a leg injury and an uncertain future surrounding playmaker Dan Crowley, the January transfer window could make or break Stuart Maynard’s side and it’s a window the club have to get right.
On social media, The Deck’s Callum posted a tweet asking supporters of EFL & Non-League clubs about areas of their squad that they felt needed to be improved the most. Notts County supporter & content creator Declan (@ARLukomski on Twitter) stated…
‘Striker (preferably a pacer and permanent option rather than a loan), left wing-back, right wing-back and an attacking midfielder.”
With that in mind, here are four players Notts County could target during the January transfer window…
LWB: Harry Boyes – Sheffield United
Starting with a pick at left wing-back, Sheffield United U21s defender Harry Boyes is a name that could be firmly on Notts County’s radar this winter with the defender having just six months left on his contract with the Championship side.
Boyes has plenty of first-team experience in both the National League with Solihull Moors and in League One with Wycombe Wanderers, Lincoln City and Fleetwood Town but is currently back playing youth football and faces an uncertain future.
The 23-year-old loves to get forward as much as possible and has a brilliant crossing ability which could play into the hands of players such as David McGoldrick and Alassana Jatta during the second half of the campaign.
With Boyes being out of contract soon and playing youth football, an EFL side could likely come calling for the defender and Notts County would be an ideal permanent fit for him.
RWB: Adam Senior – FC Halifax Town
Dropping back to the National League for our next suggestion, with Halifax Town’s Adam Senior continuing to impress in the fifth tier and could be a firm option for Notts County to consider next month.
The 22-year-old has been at the heart of Halifax Town’s continued press towards a place in the EFL and has almost certainly done enough to justify an EFL switch, whether that’s next month or at the end of the current campaign.
So far this season, Senior has made 22 league appearances for Halifax Town, contributing to three goals and has averaged a match rating of 7.16 which is one of the highest defensive contributions in the entirety of the National League.
Senior is out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 campaign and his impressive performances and versatility could make him a vital asset for Notts County, especially if they decide to take a leaf out of Walsall’s book.
Attacking midfielder: Isaac Hutchinson – Bristol Rovers
Of all entries on this list, Bristol Rovers playmaker Isaac Hutchinson is certainly the most ambitious potential capture, but following a lack of starts since his summer switch, a loan move could well and truly be on the cards.
Hutchinson took League Two by storm for Walsall last season and was subsequently snapped up by Bristol Rovers. However, he has made just 11 league appearances so far this season and has contributed to two goals in the process.
The 24-year-old can operate as an attacking midfielder or as an attacking number eight, adding further versatility options to the Magpies’ attack moving into the second half of the season and giving him the option to potentially return to the Midlands.
Although this would certainly be an ambitious loan signing on paper, Hutchinson’s lack of starts and the uncertainty surrounding the current managerial situation could lead to a scenario where the midfielder may make a temporary exit.
Striker: Owen Oseni – Gateshead
Originally, Derby County’s Dajaune Brown was pencilled into this role, but as the brief stated that a permanent option was preferred – we have opted to focus on Brown’s replacement at Gateshead in the form of forward Owen Oseni.
The 21-year-old joined Gateshead on a free transfer during the summer and has immediately got off to a flying start in the National League, scoring nine goals in his opening 22 appearances in the fifth tier as Gateshead continue to challenge for the automatic promotion spot.
Oseni currently averages 2.3 shots per game and completes a successful dribble per 90 minutes, proving that he is an attack-minded striker who enjoys taking the game to the opposition, rather than operating as a target man and creating chances for others.
With January being an expensive window with the majority of players suffering a rise in their market value, Notts County could be forced to go big to get a player such as Oseni, but his performances so far this season have certainly justified a transfer to the EFL.