As suggested by Charlie Walden (@WallySpire), I’ve decided to have a go at making a combined 11 for the top 3 sides (yea Woking are 3rd right now, but Chesterfield have played far fewer games and are generally considered in the top 3 sides in this division).. As Notts and Chesterfield clash this weekend, 2 of the sides covered here, I thought now was the perfect time to release this article too.
Unlike most articles, where I go for a back 3 due to the top 2 both using this system, I’ve actually gone for a 4-3-1-2. This is simply to accommodate as many players as possible. Also, please remember that this is just my opinion, and also that I’m evaluating individuals. If one side has more players than another it doesn’t mean I view them as a stronger side, just that they have stronger players in those areas.
Goalkeeper
This is by far the hardest and most even position of the whole side. This isn’t necessarily because all 3 sides have an outstanding keeper, but more so that they are all on extremely similar levels. All 3 have experienced keepers, stoppers who are steady, if unremarkable, and 2 of the 4 keepers listed aren’t particularly rated by large portions of their fan base.
The 4 keepers in question are Mark Howard at Wrexham, Sam Slocombe at Notts, Ross Fitzsimons at Chesterfield and Lucas Covolan also at Chesterfield. On talent alone Covolan would probably make the cut, but he’s shown this season that he is a livewire. He’s also not the starter for his side right now, so I’m discounting him from the conversation. Fitzsimons also suffers here for the same reasons. He has been good this season, and has certainly steadied the ship, but he hasn’t featured in every game. I still have doubts over his distribution too, and whilst he has the most Exits per 90 of any of the keepers, I’m going to opt for one of the other 2.
Separating the 2 keepers is pretty tough. Both are vastly experienced, and both have kept several clean sheets, 10 for Howard, 11 for Slocombe, and have been integral parts of their clubs’ success. Bizarrely, these are the 2 keepers who large swathes of the fanbases of the respective clubs feel could be upgraded. Wrexham fans are looking forward to Lainton returning, while Notts fans often clamour to see Brooks be given a chance. I feel both are unwarranted, as Howard and Slocombe have been 2 of the finest keepers in the league this season.
In terms of distribution Slocombe is the stronger of the 2. Slocombe completes 80.57% of his passes compared to Howard’s 78.28%, and he’s also completed almost 3 times more passes than Howard too (1127 to 396). In fairness, Slocombe has played more minutes than Howard, and much of the difference in distribution could be attributed to the style of play implemented by Notts. Notts are a possession heavy side, one who make far more passes than Wrexham, so this is likely to skew the data somewhat.
One stark difference between the keepers is shot stopping. Despite facing more shots, 76, than Slocombe, 68, Howard has actually conceded fewer goals. This of course lends itself to Howard having a better save percentage, 75%, than his counterpart, 64.7%. This is quite the stark difference, an unexpected one, and it just cements my decision. Howard is a good shot stopper, experienced, commands his box well and overall is a natural selection for my side. The keeper of the side with statistically the strongest defence in the league.
Right Back
I wouldn’t even be able to give you a definitive answer of who should be the starter at Notts. Therefore, the competition between the 2 is actually to their detriment, and I’m going to have to overlook them for this side. That isn’t to say neither of the 2 are good wing backs; to the contrary, both are excellent. In terms of crosses per 90 Adebayo-Rowling leads the way with 8.75, a crazy figure, while Nemane ranks 3rd with 6.13. Adebayo-Rowling also ranks joint 1st for touches in the box per 90, and joint 3rd for assists per 90, so clearly both are influential wing backs. However, the fact neither can hold down a place in the side means I have to look elsewhere for this side.
Wrexham’s Anthony Forde is an excellent right wing back, and the fact he’d never played below League One before this season really shows in his performances. He’s a full back of the utmost quality, one who gets up and down the flank and contributes at both ends of the pitch. Forde ranks 16th for crosses per 90, putting in 4.49 per 90. He also wins a decent 55.75% of his defensive duels, but most crucially is a key part of a defence which has conceded the fewest goals. He’s the oldest option here, but his experience could be valuable. Unfortunately for Forde there is a stronger contender from the side in blue.
The final contender is Chesterfield’s Jeff King. I’ve made it no secret that I’m an admirer of King, and his swashbuckling playing style. An attack minded right back, King has scored 7 goals this campaign and provided a further 6 assists, all from right back in a back 4. This makes him Chesterfield’s joint top scorer, and once again just to reiterate he is a full back. He’s scored the most free kicks in the league, 3, and 4 of his 7 goals have come from outside the box. He’s also scored more goals with his weaker left foot than his right, just proving what a flexible player he is. Of course, being a full back isn’t all about goal contributions, but King is excellent at the other side of the game too. King has won 65.84% of his defensive duels, which for a full back is really impressive. King goes straight into this side, and would be the team’s free kick taker too.
Left Back
This choice was one of the easiest in the list, only down the the fact that Jacob Mendy has been injured for vast swathes of the season. I’ve been on record many times saying I believe Mendy to be the best full/wing back in the league, but he simply hasn’t played enough this season to warrant a place in this side. When I revisit this side at the end of the season I don’t doubt that Mendy’s case for inclusion will be far more compelling; especially if Wrexham do go up, as I believe he will have a big part to play in the title race.
Chesterfield’s left back options suffer from the same issues as Notts’ right backs, in that neither is a truly established starter, albeit I feel, respectfully, they aren’t quite at the level of the Magpies’ right wing backs. Horton and Clements are both young, and probably have the potential to go a lot further than the National League, but for now neither really came into consideration.
At left back for me there could only be one option. Adam Chicksen has had a season like no other, certainly in his career, transforming from a player many described as ‘steady’ into a swashbuckling wing back who scores plenty of goals. Again, while I recognise full backs aren’t judged solely on their attacking output, it’s hard to inire one who has scored 7 league goals, another in the cup, and one who is genuinely a real threat in the box. When you consider this is more goals than Chicksen has scored in his whole career combined, it makes the achievement even more impressive. The Zimbabwean international also has a wealth of experience, playing as high as the Championship, and I don’t think anyone can really argue with his inclusion here.
Centre Backs
There are a ridiculous amount of options in central defence, thanks in part to the fact that 2 of the 3 sides play with 3 central defenders. I hope you’ll therefore forgive me for not giving a detailed run down of each defender; although I will for a few honourable mentions.
Richard Brindley started the season really well, and plays the 2nd most passes per 90, but in recent weeks his form seems to have cooled down. Chesterfield have signed Ash Palmer, National League winner last season, but he hasn’t played enough in the National League this season to be in serious contention. Wrexham trio Ben Tozer, Jordan Tunnicliffe and Max Cleworth have all performed admirably when called upon, but with only 2 centre back slots available they don’t quite get close enough to this XI.
The one who could perhaps feel most hard done by for missing out is Aden Baldwin. Baldwin makes more passes per 90 than any other player, 88.12, 22.67 more than the next best centre back Richard Brindley. Baldwin also tops the charts for all ball progression stats, something which begins to paint the picture of how instrumental Baldwin is to Notts’ build up. He’s also a good defender, blessed with excellent recovery pace, and if this side was playing a 3 at the back system he would be the natural choice for that central role. He is another though that has had a season marred by injuries; if he maintains his current form til the end of the season I don’t see how he doesn’t get into this side.
On the left side I have the man who will captain this side, Kyle Cameron. Not only does he fit perfectly on the left, by virtue of the fact that it’s the side of his preferred foot, but the decision to give him the armband is also justified by his excellent leadership skills. He’s led Notts on their longest unbeaten run in memory, and not only have his on the pitch contributions been crucial, but his leadership has galvanised the side. He’s not just a leader though; he’s an excellent footballer. Few centre backs are better on the ball at this level, and his technical quality makes him a perfect fit for this side. He won the December Player of the Month award, and it’s easy to see why. He has plenty of assists, 6, from CB, and is also strong defensively. Cameron wins 73.39% of his defensive duels, and he is the perfect left sided centre back for this team.
To his right is arguably the best defender in the league, Wrexham’s Aaron Hayden. Strong, quick, athletic, Hayden is an excellent all round footballer and defender, one scarce few would argue doesn’t belong in this team. Even though 2 of this back 4 have 7 goals each Hayden is actually the top scoring defender both in this side and in the league. He has 10 goals, most of which are in the air. It also makes him the 10th top scorer in the whole league, something which is ridiculous for a defender. He’s dominant in the air, and strong in the tackle too, and is probably the easiest choice in this side.
Midfield
As discussed in the intro, I’ve gone with a midfield 3. 2 of the choices are pretty easy for me, so I’ll start with them. First we have Darren Oldaker at Chesterfield. A midfielder with sumptuous control of a football, Oldaker can run a game by himself, and it’s players like him that I really enjoy watching. Oldaker completes 87.5% of his passes, 19th best in the league, and it just underlines what type of player he is. He’s silky on the ball, works hard off of it, and once again I think he’s a choice everyone can agree on. At 24 he’s got a lot of upside too, and he’s been one of the signings of the season, joining the Spireites from Dorking in the summer.
On the other side of the midfield 3 is arguably the most underrated player in the league, Matty Palmer. Palmer has been a fantastic servant to Notts’, and extended his stay on Christmas Day, much to the delight of Notts fans. It’s easy to see why, and in my opinion there isn’t a finer conductor of a football game at this level. Palmer has played more passes than anyone, 2199, and he’s also the first and only player to surpass the 2000 mark. He also has the 2nd best pass completion rate, 93.04%, a ridiculous figure. Palmer could certainly play at a higher level, and is often faultless. It’s about time he got the recognition he deserves.
In my midfield I have 2 silky ball players, so the 3rd needs to be a player with energy, one who can provide plenty of running. Ollie Banks would have walked into the side earlier in the season, but his form seems to have dipped. It’s a similar story for Bajrami at Notts, would would have been a real contender here. The midfield was crying out for an experienced head, so that left me with Jones at Chesterfield, Young at Wrexham and O’Brien at Notts. I wasn’t comfortable with any of them going in though. They are all very good footballers, but I felt this side needed wow factor, especially considering the strength of the 3 sides.
This led me to slightly shoehorning Ruben Rodrigues into this side, but when you delve deeper it starts to make sense. Rodrigues, especially early on in the season, showed what an energetic, hard working midfielder he can be. He’s been involved in the 30th most defensive duels in the whole division, showing what an active midfielder he is. There’s also a strong argument that Rodrigues is Notts’ best presser, so for me he ticks all the boxes, and more. He also provides immense skill on the ball, and for me he is the best player in this division. He’s the single most creative player, bar none in this league. Rodrigues has played 75 smart passes, over 3 times more than 2nd place, a simply ridiculous statistic. He also leads the way in terms of key passes. Simply put, Rodrigues is the most creative and influential player in the league, and I can only expect his 16 goal contributions, joint 5th best in the league, to grow.
Attacking Midfield
Now that Rodrigues has already been selected it frees up a space in attacking midfield. The main 4 contenders here are Sam Austin at Notts, Elliot Lee at Wrexham, and Armando Dobra and Ryan Colclough, both at Chesterfield. Austin hasn’t featured as much as the other choices, but he’s been very impressive nonetheless. He has the 2nd most assists per 90 in the league, 0.58 per 90, more than any other player eligible for this team. He also plays 1.07 smart passes per 90, 3rd most in the league, behind only Lee and Rodrigues. However, he misses out here, probably due to the fact he hasn’t played as often as other choices.
Elliot Lee is another who didn’t start the season as first choice, but since he’s got his place in the side he hasn’t relinquished it. Lee plays 1.08 smart passes per 90, has genuine quality and has shown why he has played in the Championship as recently as 20/21. A player with great close control, and one who also chips in with goals too. He has been brilliant for Wrexham, and their fans might be shocked, but he hasn’t made the cut here. Not because he isn’t good enough, but because of the quality of the player I have gone for.
That leaves the 2 Chesterfield options. Dobra has really come to life in recent weeks, and he’s another player who has sumptuous close control. He’s able to play in attacking midfield, although his best work this season has come off the left. He’s a direct runner, recording 7.06 dribbles per 90, 7th highest in the league. He’s a genuine talent, and he might even have the highest ceiling of any player on this list. However his teammate just gets the nod here.
It’s probably no surprise Colclough made it into the team, considering it’s well documented how much of a fan I am of the new Spireites signing. I’ll admit, when he signed this article was already underway, so I had to scrap my plans and somehow fit Colclough in, such is the regard I hold him in. I’ll also admit that this isn’t Colclough’s strongest role, although he is capable of playing it well. His inclusion also gives us tactical flexibility. Him and Rodrigues could peel wide to make it a 4-4-2 or him and one of the 2 strikers could go wide to make it a 4-3-3, so it gives our side several different looks. Colclough goes in because of his sheer attacking quality. He ranks first for dribbles, first for shots, 3rd for key passes, and the list really does go on. He’s a supreme attacking talent, and I just felt he had to go into the side.
Strikers
I think these 2 pick themselves, and I’m going to let the goals talk for them. 22 in 26 and 18 in 25, a combined 40 goals between them, and both are the spearheads of their respective attacks. They are of course Macaulay Langstaff of Notts and Paul Mullin of Wrexham. I won’t go on too long in this section, as I feel everything that needs to be said about the pair has already been said. Mullin is the best striker in this division and Langstaff is the best goalscorer. Both are extremely hard working off the ball too, and I feel as a pair they would not only compliment each other, but also be a frightening proposition. Without a doubt the strongest pair I could have chosen, and both were the first 2 names on the teamsheet.
xN: Expected Nonsense 