Notts County are expected to be busy this summer, especially in the defensive area of the pitch following their failure to maintain a top-seven finish, but here’s why I think George Ray is the perfect signing for Stuart Maynard’s side.

The 30-year-old played a starring role for fellow League Two side Barrow during the 2023/24 season but will become a free agent this summer following the expiry of his contract after having his exit confirmed via the club’s official retained list. 

Ray played a pivotal role for the Bluebirds throughout the season, helping Barrow to establish themselves as a top-seven side from November up until the final day, before slipping up when it mattered.

In addition to his exit from the club, Notts County have also confirmed six first-team exits, including three defenders as well as the possibility of another turning down a contract offer at Meadow Lane.

With Notts County needing defensive reinforcements this summer, here’s why I think George Ray would be the perfect signing…

Experienced EFL leadership

Upon Notts County’s promotion back to the EFL, one of the mistakes then-manager Luke Williams made was choosing to stick by the defence that got them up rather than trying to bring in fresh faces. This error meant that the club lacked an experienced EFL centre-back to help motivate the rest of the back four/five when required.

Between the three defenders leaving Notts County in the summer (Aden Baldwin, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling and Richard Brindley), they have made a total of 227 EFL league appearances in their careers, whilst George Ray alone has made 268 and has spent almost his entire career in the EFL.

Having an experienced figure at the back would bring confidence and an improvement of leadership to the Notts County back line heading into the new season and would allow them to avoid making the same errors that were made last season.

Familiarity of systems

Under Pete Wild, Barrow utilised an adaptable 3-5-2 system, which allowed for wing-backs whilst Ray found himself as the central centre-back of the back three/five. This was also the position the 30-year-old found himself in against Notts County back in the one-all draw in January.

Meanwhile, Notts County have adopted a variety of three-back systems this season under both Luke Williams and Stuart Maynard. In the club’s final-day defeat against Forest Green Rovers, Notts County utilised a 3-2-4-1 system, with Aden Baldwin acting as the central centre-back.

However, with Baldwin leaving Meadow Lane, it means there is a gap at the heart of the defence which I am confident George Ray would be able to fill without any difficulty.

Financial bonus for Notts County

Following their failure to seal promotion this season, attention will turn to which players Notts County can keep at Meadow Lane ahead of the new season. Golden Boot winner Macaulay Langstaff and assist king Jodi Jones are just two of the players that could earn a rise through the divisions this summer.

Therefore, Notts County may be forced into landing cheaper options to maximise the money they can spend elsewhere and Ray for me, is arguably the standout defensive free agent in the EFL at the moment and won’t be short of offers.

Notts County will have a major pull factor due to the support they receive and the finances they have, which means they could be likely to offer Ray a lucrative deal to tempt him into joining the club instead of looking at a move elsewhere.

A return to the Midlands

Despite being born in Warrington, George Ray burst onto the first-team scene with Crewe Alexandra, making over 150 appearances between 2011 and 2019. He also won the 2012/13 EFL Trophy competition with Crewe and brings trophy-winning experience to his new side.

An opportunity to return to one of the biggest clubs in League Two and subsequent return to the Midlands could prove to be an opportunity that is ‘too good to turn down’, which will be music to the ears of Notts County supporters if a deal was to be signed.

Readers, do you believe George Ray is the right fit for Notts County or is he better off somewhere else?