We’re still extremely early on in the National League transfer window (one which stretches much further than traditional windows), but who have had the best of the early movements? Here are the winners and losers as of July 2nd 2022.
Winners
Barnet
Barnet have, at least in my opinion, been the stand outs of this week, making a number of brilliant moves. Despite losing top scorer Adam Marriott to divisional rivals Bromley, Barnet look in better shape than they were last season, due to some key additions. Nicke Kabamba adds some much needed firepower up front; the 6ft3 front man won 35.14% of his aerial duels, and contributed to 17% of Woking’s goals since his arrival as a January. He was also called up to the DR Congo national squad in late 2020, showing how highly regarded he is.
Barnet have also added creative midfielder Sean Shields, who’s time at Weymouth really kickstarted his career. In two seasons, Shields recorded 7 goals and 20 assists, something which is even more impressive when considering the calibre of side he played for. Barnet’s most impressive addition however is full back Ben Wynter, who had become a fan favourite at Torquay. A defender many believed would be destined for an EFL move this summer, Barnet have pulled off arguably the coup of the summer. Winning 64.29% of his defensive duels, and also chipping in with 2 goals and 2 assists, Wynter is an all action full back, who is physically capable. He’s also just 24, so he represents good business for the future too.
Notts County
Perhaps a more well documented early success is Notts County, who have so far, at the time of writing, only lost one key player in Kyle Wootton, whilst adding 6 new faces. Amongst these are former Gateshead duo Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott, who fired in 52 goals between them. Scott was the 4th most accurate shooter last season, with a whopping 59.14% on target, whilst Langstaff took the most shots per 90 in steps 1 and 2, with 4.41 per 90. They were joined by fellow National League North team of the season member Sam Austin, who notched 11 goals and 6 assists from attacking midfield.
Notts have also added 3 defensive reinforcements, with Austin’s Kidderminster teammate Geraldo Bajrami also following him to Meadow Lane. A highly rated Albanian youth international, Bajrami won 74.33% of his defensive duels, a huge number. He will be joined in defence by flying full back Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, who joins from Ebbsfleet. Despite only making 20 appearances, Adebayo-Rowling made 0.64 key passes per 90, an incredibly high number for a full back.
Southend
Many people have Southend as outside contenders for promotion, and it’s easy to see why with the quality of players they have brought in. Whilst I perhaps don’t share in the optimism that The Shrimpers will return to the Football League at the second time of asking, the quality of their signings cannot be denied. Winger Dan Mooney arrives from Altrincham, a wide man who scored 12 last season, 19% of his side’s goals. He also hit the target with 32.65% of his shots, making him a lethal finisher from out wide.
Amongst the other Southend additions is central defender Louis Lomas, who was part of a Brackley Town side who conceded just 23 goals. Unsurprisingly, Lomas made it into the National League North team of the season, with some even considering him the best defender in non-league. Southend also paid a fee for Gus Scott-Morris, a full back who has flourished at Hemel Hempstead. With no serious departures either, Southend are in a considerably stronger position than last season.
Losers
Torquay
This is not a slight on Torquay’s incomings this summer; Gary Johnson has added a number of young, exciting talents, some of whom are already proven at this level. However, whilst these all have high potential, it remains to be seen how well they will replace the outgoings, with Torquay’s squad completely gutted by EFL clubs. Torquay lost talismanic midfielder Armani Little to Forest Green Rovers, whilst fellow attacking midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans joined Champions Stockport on a free too. The duo netted 26 goals between them, and added a further 15 assists, an output which is going to be very difficult to replace.
Torquay didn’t just suffer losses up top, with their defence also decimated. Whilst they did manage to recoup a fee for 22 year old defender Joe Lewis, his absence leaves a gaping hole in the defence, an issue they have now had to tackle two years on the run, with Kyle Cameron leaving in the summer of 21. They also lost highly rated full back Ben Wynter, who joined Barnet (as covered above). A long and testing season is ahead for Torquay, and it remains to be seen if the young recruits can fill the big shoes left for them.
Halifax
Despite signing the striker with the best goal ratio last season (1.11 goals per 90), Halifax are another side who are a victim of their own success, with the majority of their first 11 being recognised as targets higher up the football pyramid. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Shaymen lost the core of their defence, one which only conceded 35 goals, a divisional best. Captain Niall Maher joined newly promoted Grimsby, after winning 62.5% of his aerial duels and 74.31% of his defensive ones. Simply, he is a defensive juggernaut, one who is nearly impossible to replace. Perhaps even more difficult to replace are the goals of Billy Waters, who became the first Halifax striker to score 20 goals in over a decade. He, alongside full back Tyrell Warren, followed outgoing boss Pete Wild to Barrow, leaving Halifax depleted.
All hope is not lost for the Yorkshire side however. As it stands they have retained the services of Kieran Green ahead of the new season, with the 24 year old one of the highest rated midfielders in the National League. And as mentioned, the arrival of Mani Dieseruvwe is a positive one, with the in form striker banging in the goals for promoted Grimsby.
Gateshead
Of the newly promoted sides, Gateshead were perhaps the strongest last season, winning the league with 94 points. However, going into the new season, in my opinion at least, Gateshead are perhaps the weakest of the newly promoted sides. Losing a strike force which netted 52 goals between them would hurt any side, and whilst the replacements, players such as Lewis Knight and Tom Allan, look good in theory, they have never scored prolifically. Gateshead are an attacking side, and without goals they may struggle.
Gateshead however have so far managed to hold onto midfield creator Greg Olley, who’s performances last season are widely recognised as unbelievable. With 20 assists to his name, Olley is a player who breaks the lines with his passing, and create ample opportunities for the new forwards. He’s a midfielder who would get into almost any side in the division, and the success of their transfer window hinges on whether Olley stays or goes in my opinion.
xN: Expected Nonsense 