Since Macaulay Langstaff left in late June to join Millwall, Alassana Jatta has taken up the goalscoring role within the Notts side. As of the time of writing (October 13th 2024), Jatta has 7 goals for the 2024-25 season, continuing his scoring form which he started at the back end of last season.
Whilst Jatta’s return since signing in January has been fantastic, there seems to be a reliance on him in forward areas. David McGoldrick has the experience and the ability to shoot outside the area, whilst Jatta usually does his work inside the box. Cedwyn Scott can also play as pseudo number 10 (kind of the 9.5 role) between the natural attacking midfielder and the striker, which is something he did in Notts’ promotion season of 2022-23, playing in-between Langstaff and Ruben Rodrigues.
However, using Didzy consistently throughout last season, lead to burnout and his form dropping and at 37 years of age, we can’t rely on him to start week-in-week-out. Cedwyn has been in and out of the squad with injury problems and needs to regain his confidence, after not yet bagging for Notts in the EFL and having had a long injury lay off between August 2023 and April 2024.
Notts usually line up with in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Matty Palmer dropping deep to receive the ball from the centre-backs. When lining up this way and playing this way, Dan Crowley (who is usually used in one of the attacking midfield roles behind Jatta) drops in to receive the ball. However, Crowley is much better with the ball higher up the pitch and when he drops deep for the ball, then there is only the wing-backs, the other attacking midfielder (usually Conor Grant or Sam Austin) and Jatta to pick out. When the opposition sit in a low block, it can be quite hard for Crowley to affect the game and as seen against Port Vale, when Jatta is the only one in the penalty area, he becomes isolated and it becomes easier for the opposition defence to deal with the crosses.
There is a lack of pace in the Notts team and whilst Jatta provides it, he can still be the only focal point in Notts’ attack and we do miss Langstaff’s runs in behind defences.
In these next few pieces, I look at potential striker targets to help Notts push on in the second half of the season. There are three categories: players inside the English league pyramid between Premier League and League 2, options outside of England, including Ireland and mainland Europe, and then gems within the non-league game. In this piece we’ll be looking at the first category.
Name: Luca Thomas
Club: Leeds United (on loan at York City)
Age as of January 1st 2025: 20
Height: 5’11
End of contract: 2025
When I was searching for Langstaff replacements I checked non-league and also PL2. In the list of PL2 players that played in 2023-24, I looked at the goals column and listed several players. One of them players was Leeds's Luca Thomas.
Thomas managed 6 goals and 3 assists during 2023-24 and has started this season in strong form, already matching his goal tally from the previous campaign and bagging twice in the National League Cup against Boston United. Thomas has scored in every game he has made an appearance in, bar one.
Luca is a player who can play anywhere across the front three and was a regular goalscorer at under 18 level and has made a good transition into under 21 football. In PL2, he has shown various aspects of his game. Sometimes, he can drop deep to receive the ball and play first time passes to teammates (as shown in a game against Stoke where he dropped deeper than any other Leeds player to receive the ball and ended up as the highest point of attack by the end of the move), before making a run into space.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj9zYUeP0No&t=105s
Other times he can drop in between the deeper midfielders and centre-backs to receive the ball in space (as seen in a game against Aston Villa at Elland Road from last season), which means opposition defenders have to make the choice of quickly closing him down, leaving space in behind and allowing the attacking midfielders more space in the half spaces, or stay put and potentially allow Thomas a shooting opportunity. This sort of role is known as the raumdeuter. Despite this, he’s more of a natural number nine. He’s nearer Gabriel Jesus than Thomas Muller.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUuDBVYBPxg&t=99s
His two goals against Boston in the National League Cup show his ability to find space in between the defenders and find the right position to be in to make a goalscoring opportunity, a trait that Macca perfected. He reads the game really well as shown by his aforementioned movement and positioning. However, another key part of this is the ability to latch onto a loose opposition pass or a through ball, another trait of Macca’s.
Video link: https://youtu.be/RTwcKt1Z8rk?si=71KAwqXJXGAlnZYn
Luca is now at an age (20), where he needs to start playing senior football and playing it regularly. Thomas is one of only two Leeds academy forward players who hasn’t been called up to their country’s youth setup. At 20, Thomas still hasn’t been called up despite his form and at the moment Leeds have Mateo Joseph, Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt available to play in the striker role and if they secure promotion to the Premier League, they will most certainly invest in this position.
This means Thomas may never see the first team at Elland Road and that gives a chance for teams to secure his services and whilst a loan move is probably the more likely option, at his current age, he needs to be getting out and playing football regularly and that may sway teams to make a bid to secure his services on a permanent deal. Max Dean left before the age of 20 and 18 months after his move to MK, he secured a move to the Belgian Pro League.
Video link: https://youtu.be/7Cvz4dJEBgQ?si=lPpiCqXuuJjgRQrH
He recently signed for York City on loan and scored on his debut, coming off the bench to score The Minstermen’s fourth in a 4-0 win over Ebbsfleet. Come January, I hope Notts are looking with intent and not just for a loan move, but more than that.
Name: Jimmy-Jay Morgan
Club: Chelsea
Age as of January 1st 2025: 18
Height: 5’10
End of contract: 2027
Another player who cropped up amongst the possible replacements for Langstaff when looking at the PL2 players, Jimmy-Jay Morgan has been a regular goalscorer at youth level for both Southampton and his current club, Chelsea. Across all competitions for The Saints, he scored 24 goals in 42 appearances, which included goals at under-18, under-21 and under-23 level.
In 2023-24, Morgan scored 16 goals in all competitions for Chelsea (PL2, PL Cup, PL International Cup and EFL Trophy), also scoring 3 in 7 for the under-18’s. This season (2024-25), JJM has started with 5 goals in 9 appearances across all competitions, including a hattrick against Middlesbrough. JJM actually moved from the South Coast to London for a big fee for youth level.
JJM has been noted for his finishing ability, especially inside of the penalty area, where he is excellent at finding space to evade his marker. Like Macca, he has a real poacher’s instinct, latching on to a loose ball in or out of the penalty area or being in the right place at the right time, where he has showcased his heading ability, sometimes a rarity for a player at such a young age. This shows he has a good reading of the game and knows when to time his runs into the penalty area.
After recently signing a new contract this summer, JJ mentioned in an interview that he had been working on his mindset, going on to say that a strong mental attitude is crucial and it can take you just as far as being a talented player. This shows a maturity beyond Morgan’s years, knowing it takes more than just talent, but also the right mindset to go far in the game. This will stand him in good stead in the future when he has to play in high pressure games at a senior level, where the pressure on the game and in the key moments is far greater than it is at academy level.
JJ Morgan has also represented England at youth level, scoring for both the under-16 and under-17 age groups, whilst also making 5 appearances for the under 18’s.
With his scoring record at a youth level in no question, the next step will be a potential loan move. Whilst it may well be a short-term fix to a long term Langstaff sized problem, JJM is more than deserving of a chance to show his capabilities on a bigger stage and most importantly, at a senior level.
Name: Seb Palmer-Houlden
Club: Bristol City (on loan at Dundee)
Age as of January 1st 2025: 21
Height: 6’2
End of contract: 2027
SPH had an impressive loan spell at Newport in 2023-24, scoring 7 goals and assisting once. He scored crucial winners against Doncaster, Swindon and Wrexham. This season, Palmer-Houlden has gone on loan to Dundee after signing a new deal at Ashton Gate in the summer.
Seb had a bright start to his time at Newport, scoring against Charlton in the League Cup and scoring his first league goal against Doncaster. He would also score in the return fixture and repeated this feat against Morecambe, scoring in both games.
There are several traits of Seb on show in his goals for Newport last season. His ability to be a nuisance in the box, his positioning in the penalty area and his composure infront of goal when either one-on-one or in a crowded penalty area. The majority of his goals scored at Newport, show his ability to get infront of his marker, win the subsequent duel and bear down on goal. Both goals against Doncaster and Morecambe (in both games) involve him getting infront of his man and getting to the ball first or winning a duel leading to a goalscoring opportunity. Houlden wins the game for Newport in the 97th minute at Donny, getting to the cross first and lashing home a volley, whilst against Morecambe at home, he sprints from his own half to latch on to the ball, he holds off the defender and finishes calmly to seal a 5-3 win.
Video link for Doncaster vs Newport: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSt4ZJn7dEo&t=445s
Video link for Newport vs Morecambe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY_EtSHmNZs
Seb’s height is an obvious standout with him standing at 6’2. He uses this to great effect in the penalty area and his winner against Wrexham showed this. He rose above all to latch onto the cross and his header nestled in the top corner leaving no chance for the keeper.
He is deceptively quick despite his tall stature. His goal against Harrogate shows real quality. He holds the ball up and plays a give and go with Will Evans, from which he latches onto to the through ball, cuts inside and finishes lethally into the far corner from just inside the 18-yard box.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1JvzmOfmnw
Houlden’s winner against Swindon shows his ability to play on the last defender and his composure in front of goal.
This looks a tad ambitious from the outside due to the game time he’s getting in Scotland and the fact he’s already been loaned out to League 2, but it does depend on whether Bristol City are ready to put trust in their youth academy or if they will spend on players in Seb’s position. Only time will tell.
Name: Dajaune Brown
Club: Derby County
Age as of January 1st 2025: 19
Height: 6’0
End of contract: 2027
A player who has been linked and rumoured with a dozen or so clubs over a possible loan move, Dajaune Brown has been hot property ever since his loan spell at Gateshead last season. During his spell on Tyneside, Brown managed 10 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions, including scoring the winning penalty at Wembley in the FA Trophy final.
The next step for Brown will most likely be a loan move to a League 1 or League 2 club. He was expected to make a move this summer, but after Derby failed to sign a striker on deadline day, he stayed at Pride Park. Despite this, Brown has only played 13 minutes of Championship football and has rarely been involved. He is behind James Collins, Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates in the pecking order and will likely continue to be as The Rams look to consolidate their place in the Championship.
Daj is a good finisher, who has explosive pace and is a presence in the penalty area. Not just is he quick, but he also has the required athleticism. This pace was shown in an away game against Ebbsfleet, where he was the furthest Gateshead player forward and despite receiving the ball in his own half, Brown turned his man and showed a huge burst of pace to take the ball all the way to the edge of the 18-yard box, winning a free-kick.
As shown by his time at Gateshead, he can receive the ball just inside the 18-yard box and either link up the play or swivel to create a shooting opportunity. Another example is his equalising goal against Boreham Wood (his first goal for Gateshead). Brown picks up the ball near the half way line and is surrounded by three Wood players. His burst of pace allows him to quickly leave all three behind and then he goes on to scythe his way past two more Wood players, before finishing into the corner, earning Heed a point.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFxua0JH1E4
Brown has recently scored his first Championship goal which may put pay to a loan move unless the aforementioned Collins, Jackson and Yates stay atop of Warne’s striker list. This may also depend on if Derby want to sign another striker in January, in which case Brown could be loaned out.
Name: Ken Aboh
Club: Norwich City
Age as of January 1st 2025: 20
Height: 5’9
End of contract: 2027
Another from the list of “Possible PL2 replacements for Macca.” Ken Aboh has been a consistent goalscorer for Norwich’s under 18’s and under 23’s. In 2023-24, Aboh scored 11 goals from 15 starts in PL2.
This season Aboh earned a loan move to League 1 Stevenage but has been rarely used. He has made 2 substitute appearances with a combined playing time of only 45 minutes. If this remains the case, Norwich may feel the need to recall him.
As a player, Aboh has excellent strength and power. In a Norwich team that likes their creative players to operate centrally, he can drop deep to receive the ball and hold off his man and then provide the needed link up play. He also possesses a great shot, as shown by his goal of the month nominated strike against Leicester.
Aboh also has a good amount of pace to go with his strength and whilst he tends to drop deep to link the play up, he can also make runs in behind the defence and with his physical frame, he does well in duels. Pace and power together in a striker are a defender’s nightmare, as it just makes them difficult to defend against in the penalty area, but also on the counter. At 19 years old (20 by the opening of the January window), he still has room to improve his game and will have the opportunity to do this with loan spells maybe in the first team, as Norwich do tend to give more minutes to their academy players than other EFL clubs.
With Archie Mair and Jaden Warner having been loaned out to Notts before from Carrow Road, Notts could look to continue that link if Aboh is recalled from Stevenage.
Name: Kieran Phillips
Club: Huddersfield Town (on loan at Sacramento Republic)
Age as of January 1st 2025: 24
Height: 6’2
End of contract: 2025
A player who has had numerous loan spells, but as of yet is still to break through into the first team at Huddersfield, Phillips has spent time on loan at Walsall, Exeter, Morecambe, Shrewsbury and as of this moment: Sacramento Republic.
During his time in the States, Phillips has hit 15 goals in all competitions, including 12 in the league, helping Republic to 3rd place in the Western Conference in the USL Championship. Before this he has had two spells in League Two and two in League One. During his time at Walsall, he was used primarily on the wing to accommodate either Conor Wilkinson or George Miller. This pushed Huddersfield to recall him and send him to a club who would make use of him as a striker, as that is where they see his long-term position as. During his time at Exeter, he was used as a striker, but wasn’t first choice, but he did contribute to The Grecians’ promotion from League 2.
It was when he moved to Morecambe where he was played more regularly in his natural forward position. He scored 7 goals in 20 appearances for The Shrimps and showed what he was capable of when played in a central position.
Despite his height, Phillips is quite quick and likes to play on the last line of the opposition’s defence. Several of his goals for Morecambe in 2022/23 came from putting himself in this position. His goal against Bristol Rovers started with a Shrimps counter and it ends with him scoring, having peeled off the last defender, before slotting the ball away first time into the far corner, showcasing his composure in front of goal, something he also showed with his goal away at Forest Green.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cyKZwwfo1o
He once again places himself on the last defender and whilst at first, his shot from outside the area is saved, the ball is played back to him when he makes his way into the penalty area and he takes it past two FGR Players with neat touches and strikes it into the roof of the net.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i_fuPsOEBM
Another example of Phillips being able to play on the last line of defence is his 2nd goal against Burton where the ball is played over the top and he beats the keeper to the ball, making it 4-0.
Phillips will complete his loan spell in the US with double figures in goals, but when he returns to Huddersfield, he will be way down in the pecking order. He will have to make it past Callum Marshall, Bojan Radulovic, Rhys Healey, Freddie Ladapo and Danny Ward. This may make a move away seem likely, whether loan or permanent.
Name: Ciaran McGuckin
Club: Rotherham United
Age as of January 1st 2025: 21
Height: 6’0
End of contract: 2026
A player that was brought to my attention when he was recalled from his loan spell at Yeovil by parent club Rotherham. I had heard of McGuckin before having been at Yeovil, due to his short loan spell at Dundalk.
McGuckin scored 3 goals from 6 games for Yeovil and has been recalled due to injuries to Rotherham’s strikers. Noted by Yeovil fans for having a fantastic work rate and energy, McGuckin is a striker who can run in behind the defence, playing on the last line.
All three of his goals in his loan spell are different but all show the qualities needed to be a prolific striker. In the build up to his goal against Aldershot, McGuckin is the highest point of the attack when Yeovil counter. He takes a good first touch and lays it off to a teammate. Then he peels off the defender, receives the ball and strikes the ball into the far corner.
His goal against Dagenham shows his ability in the air. Good link up play sends The Glovers down the wing and the cross meets the head of McGuckin who has picked up space in the area to plant a free header into the corner.
His final goal came against Wealdstone, which shows his poacher instincts. A corner lands at the feet of a Yeovil player on the edge of the box and his goal bound shot is turned in by McGuckin from around six yards out. McGuckin is positioned in the centre of the penalty area and his touch on the ball diverts the shot past the keeper. That change in direction completely bamboozles the keeper who is totally unprepared. This is a trait very similar to Langstaff, who excelled in his positioning in the box.
Overall, Ciaran McGuckin still has room to improve and time is very much on his side. Another loan spell to the National League may aid his development when The Millers get players back from injury, however after impressing in such a short space of time at Huish Park, you’d think clubs in League Two would be casting an eye over the Northern Ireland youth international.
Name: Rob Street
Club: Lincoln City
Age as of January 1st 2025: 23
Height: 6’2
End of contract: 2028
Another 6’2 striker who once had a loan spell at Shrewsbury, Street hasn’t really had the game time at Lincoln and is currently behind Bailey Cadamarteri, Ben House, Freddie Draper and Jovon Makama.
Street started his career at Crystal Palace and had loan spells at Torquay, Newport and Shrewsbury, before signing for Cheltenham on a permanent deal in 2023. Whilst his goal record doesn’t look the best, he is a better player than this stat suggests. Street has been noted for his excellent work rate, energy and pressing. Cheltenham fans were not happy when Street was sold to Lincoln for less than what they could have got for him, especially as Will Goodwin was sold to Oxford for much more.
As noted, Street has a fantastic work rate and like Phillips, despite his height, he can use his pace to full effect. This is shown by his goal for The Shrews against Bristol Rovers, where he receives the ball just inside the Rovers half and puts the turbos on to take it into the penalty area and place the ball into the far corner.
Despite his lack of goals through his different spells, Street has shown different traits to his game. His aerial ability to get to a cross first and header in, in a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth (for Salop).
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODHLyoV9GaE
Another game for Shrews is where he reacts quickest at the back post to divert goalwards after a flick on in a 3-1 win against Morecambe.
With Lincoln housing good striker options, Street may need a loan spell to help develop his game further and build up his scoring stats if he is to become the player who was so highly rated at Crystal Palace.
Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this keep an eye out for part two coming soon!
Declan Weliczko
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