Combined Notts County vs Grimsby Town XI - Opinion

Notts County welcome Grimsby Town to Meadow Lane today in Notts’ first home game in the EFL since 2019 but what would be the ideal squad between both sides?

Squad formation: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper – Aiden Stone (Notts County)

Despite both goalkeepers being young and good choices, i’ve gone with the Notts shot stopper this time round.

Stone is more experienced in EFL matches and boasts a terrific record at Port Vale and despite his poor start to life at Notts, he will be coming into this game with something to prove.

Grimsby No.1 Harvey Cartwright is certainly one for the future but his lack of minutes and youth leaves me picking Stone out of the two.

Left back – Adam Chicksen (Notts County)

The Zimbabwe international gets my next pick despite not having the best return to the EFL.

Going off of last season, scoring 11 goals from a left back position simply cannot be overlooked.

Anthony Glennon is of course a brilliant option and if it wasn’t for the unbelievable goal return of last season, he would be getting the nod in this side.

Centre back – Luke Waterfall (Grimsby Town)

Dominant and experienced Centre back Luke Waterfall is next into the team and the first Grimsby player to be included.

The Grimsby Captain was a key part to Lincoln City’s success in 2018 and has been a rock at the back for The Mariner upon their return to the football league and stabilizing themselves in the EFL.

Centre back – Kyle Cameron (Notts County)

The Notts County captain takes the second centre back spot and joins forces with Luke Waterfall at the back.

The Notts County centre-half captained the side to a record breaking season and a play-off final win whilst being one of the most accurate passers in the National League.

These two at the back would be defensively brilliant and compliment each other well in my opinion.

Right back – Michee Efete (Grimsby Town)

This was an incredibly hard decision to make but Michee Efete snatches just on the technicality that Aaron Nemane typically plays as a wing-back and not a full back.

Efete’s brilliant pace and dribbling makes him and incredibly good attacking full-back which is incredibly dangerous.

Efete played 7 games in Grimsby’s excellent FA Cup run last season and is a standout player within their side.

Centre midfield – Matty Palmer (Notts County)

Matty Palmer has been the engine of the midfield for Notts County over the last few seasons.

Last season he made the most passess in the National League by a significant margin and his partnership with John Bostock was one of the best outside of the EFL and is now one of the best within League Two.

Palmer is composed on the ball, a calming figure and makes the entire team tick over for Notts County, had to be included.

Centre midfield – Kamil Conteh (Grimsby Town)

A new signing for The Mariners makes it straight into this combined XI after a brilliant season with Gateshead.

The midfielder is full of energy and is a constant threat in the middle of the park, working tirelessly for his side.

This is someone i believe will have an excellent season in League Two and will thrive with more competition.

Left attacker – Jodi Jones (Notts County)

Jodi Jones, a new signing of sorts for The Magpies who spent part of last season on loan at Notts County and wrote his name in Notts folklore in the play-off semi final with a last minute winner sending Notts County to Wembley.

Jones has a lot of experience higher up, playing for Coventry and Oxford United in recent years before suffering from injuries, however he has reignited his career at Notts County and is a standout performer.

Central attacking midfielder – Gavan Holohan (Grimsby Town)

Holohan is the focal point of attack for Grimsby Town and in my opinion one of the most consistent players in League Two, constantly giving high class performances wherever he has played.

He was a brilliant player for Hartlepool before moving to Grimsby who Notts fans will remember for the last minute winner he scored against The Magpies in the play-off quarter finals two seasons prior.

Right attacker – Harry Clifton (Grimsby Town)

Harry Clifton is one of my favourite players to watch in the Grimsby side, he is fast, direct and oozes quality in the wide areas.

However this was a very difficult decision with Notts County’s Aaron Nemane who could’ve quite easily and fairly taken this spot on but Cliftons extra EFL experience gives him the slight edge for me.

Clifton could comfortably play at the top end of League Two or even at a League One side and he wouldn’t look out of place.

Striker – David McGoldrick (Notts County)

It had to be.

One of the best strikers, if not the best striker, in League One last season takes a step down to his boyhood club and takes the crown of the most technically superior striker in League Two by some margin, in my opinion.

This wasn’t as easy as it may have seemed for a pick however, with 42 goal Macaulay Langstaff being stiff competition and Grimby’s new signing Rekeil Pyke dropping down from League One also.

McGoldrick is destined to do well this season for Notts County who has already opened his scoring account in the first game against Sutton.

Honourable Mentions –