Time to reforge Links With County



Until a few years ago we had a handy link up with Notts County, with the likes of Grant and Yates getting valuable experience over the Trent. Even before that we tried out inexperienced youngsters with them for a number of years. Its an arrangement that under the disasterous spell of Alan Hardy came to an end.

Hardy threw his toys out the pram following Yates being recalled from his loan to loan to better club in Scunthorpe. The link was broken and County disappeared. We loaned Mansfield the players instead and nearly got them promoted.

Now Hardy has gone and there are new Danish owners in town, we can look to have relations with both Mansfield and County. As Mansfield are league Two they can get some better players and County can get some others too.

Loans have been vital in developing a number of youngsters. The aforementioned Yates, but also Worrall, Smith and Walker of the current generation all went down the leagues. Toby Edser has spent time out on loan too, and may step up.

It’s a step for the likes of Virgil Gomis, and a number of others to take. Arvin Appiah may well be taking on more of a first team role or seek a League One loan.

Some of the fringe players frozen out like Cummings and Clough would be unlikely to be affordable for these clubs, but if a deal to take one to Mansfield could be made it could put them in the shop window.

The problem that often happens with County and new owners, and they’ve had more than even us in the last few years, is that the new ones always come in with brash ideas, as any do. With County they immediately look over the Trent and make bold promises and making County bigger than Forest. The new guys don’t appear to have done that, which would be refreshing if they remain relatively humble.
So its time to extend the Olive branch and see if some of the Kids might be alright over the river.

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