National League 2022-23 Mid-Term Team of the Season

 

There’s always a part of me that dislikes doing things like this.  

 

For starters, I’m only one bloke watching the division as a whole and providing my opinion on it. Can I claim to have watched every minute of every game? Of course not.  

 

Then there is the anxiety that comes with posting my work and worrying that people will pick it apart or claim to know better and honestly, I don’t have all the answers. You might be right. Especially when it comes to your own club.  

 

Ultimately, this piece is me sharing my views on the players that have caught my eye across the campaign so far and who I believe to have had the biggest impacts both in terms of the division as a whole and their teams. Naturally, that lends itself to being a little elitist with six players coming from Wrexham and Notts County, but there is a reason they’re in the top two.  

 

Anyway, I’ll cut this ramble short. Here’s my Mid-Term Team of the Season. I look forward to seeing all of yours!  

To read the RDNL Musings Mid-Term Team-By-Team Review, click here: https://rdnlmusings.blogspot.com/2022/12/national-league-2022-23-mid-term-report.html

 

 

Sam Howes – Wealdstone  

 

Wealdstone have been the surprise package of the National League season to date and their defensive record has been key to that. Goalkeeper Sam Howes has stood out, a consistent performer in net by an ever-changing backline due to injury, suspension and loanees being recalled. From the outside, he was a surprise addition, a former PL youngster who had struggled for regular game time in recent spells at a few fifth and sixth tier clubs but Stuart Maynard publicly backed him in the summer and has been rewarded with a number of fine displays. Remove the sticky October patch when squad availability was at its worst and Howes has conceded 16 goals in 17 matches.  

 

 

Aaron Hayden – Wrexham  

 

Aaron Hayden was one of the big-name additions at Wrexham last season but he perhaps went under the radar somewhat with Paul Mullin, Ben Tozer and, later, Ollie Palmer stealing the headlines. However, the former Carlisle United man has become a pillar of consistency on the right of the Wrexham back three, one who is rarely caught out, defends his box efficiently and offers the backline a turn of pace. He is also an enormous threat in the opposition box – only seven players in the entire division have scored more than the giant centre-half. His form and consistency is hugely impressive for a player on route for only his third season of regular football.  

 

 

Scott Cuthbert – Woking  

 

When a player reaching the end of his career decides to step into non-league, you’re never entirely sure what you’re going to get. Sure, vast experience and leadership. However, the games come thick and fast, there is less protection, less depth. How reliable can they be? For Scott Cuthbert, none of that has been an issue. He’s 35 and has been a rock for Woking, a wholly committed defender who leads by example, is calm in his approach and has featured regularly all season. He has continued to perform in the absence of first-choice partner Luke Wilkinson and is a key reason why Craig Ross is facing less shots per game than any keeper in the division, aside from Sam Slocombe.  

 

 

Kyle Cameron – Notts County  

 

Kyle Cameron absolutely deserved his move to Notts County from Torquay United but last season didn’t quite go to plan, the ex-England and Scotland youth international unable to feature regularly again amid injuries and knocks and when he did play, it wasn’t always in the same role. This season, he is showing the player that helped lead Torquay to promotion and a play-off final. He has started every league match on the left hand side of the back three, aggressive in his defending and rarely caught out. He has not only led by example defensively but has been key to their progression from the back, and to dribble, run or play forward and he even managed three assists in one game recently. Comfortably amongst the best defenders in the division.  

 

 

Jeff King – Chesterfield  

 

It’s no secret that I’ve long been a fan of Jeff King – he was in my inaugural XI Players to Step Into the EFL piece after his excellent work at FC Halifax Town and after a difficult start to life at Chesterfield, he made the right side his own after a nasty injury to George Carline and hasn’t looked back. He has stepped up again this season, enjoying a role in which he can effectively have the left side to himself with Liam Mandeville happy to step inside and being tasked with delivering most set pieces. King has six goals and four assists to his name this term, adding substance to his obvious quality.  

 

 

Matty Palmer – Notts County  

 

When your manager is asking your team to dominate football matches by dominating the ball, you need a midfielder that is comfortable in possession, tactically switched on to know where to find the ball and open up space and the technique to be able to do the simple stuff properly and feed the ball into the final third accurately. Matt Palmer is absolutely brilliant at this. He’s a huge reason as to why Notts are able to have just shy of 65% possession per game and are able to worry little about losing the ball in dangerous areas. The curly haired ex-Wigan Athletic and Burton Albion man may not get much in the way of numbers but his importance to this Notts knows no bounds.  

 

 

Adam Chicksen – Notts County  

 

At 31, Adam Chicksen hasn’t quite had the career he perhaps envisaged. A move to Brighton and Hove Albion stunted his progress and he has never started 30 or more league games in a season. With additions to the defence, there is no guarantee every Notts County would have had him in their starting XI’s prior to this season but Chicksen, who spent most of last season as a dependable left-centre-back, got his chance early doors to stake a claim at left-wing-back and hasn’t looked back. He’s been phenomenal, a real outlet on the left capable of handling the ball, linking with team mates and delivering. The team surprise has been the goals, Chicksen scoring seven having only scored four in his entire career prior to this campaign. He’s constantly in the box waiting for the ball to come his way and has shown arrow like precision. He plays his role in this daring system to perfection.  

 

 

James McShane – Dorking Wanderers  

 

There’s not an awful lot you can find out about James McShane online – he could be 28, 30 or 32 years old depending on the website you use. We can work out that he had a brief career in Scotland and bounced around non-league before joining Dorking Wanderers in 2016 and that he’s since played over 200 games for the club. We also know that only Macaulay Langstaff has scored more National League goals this season than McShane. And what makes it all the more impressive – McShane is not a striker. Predominantly, McShane just has a knack of being in the right place at the right time and finished well. However, there was also this against Gateshead and this against Notts County and this against Dagenham and Redbridge.  

 

 

Andrew Dallas – Solihull Moors  

 

It’s not been a great season so far for Solihull Moors as they navigate post-play-off defeat life. Their recruitment wasn’t fantastic, certain players have struggled for fitness and form. They’ve lacked a target that brings the best out of those around him and gives them an out. And yet, Andrew Dallas has continued to shine. Despite playing a variety of roles, including off the left, as part of a front two, just behind the main striker and as the main striker, Dallas is one goal away from being the first player to reach the double-double for goals and assists. To reach that point after 16 league starts is some feat. For a 23-year-old no doubt looking to get back into the EFL, he’s proven a very selfless forward and he and others around are reaping the rewards for his hard work.  

 

 

Paul Mullin – Wrexham 

 

Paul Mullin remains the player most is expected of in the National League. He was League Two Player of the Year after his 32 goals helped Cambridge United win promotion and he followed that with 28 goals for Wrexham last season, the club that have eyes on them from all around the world. He’s stepping up to the plate. Despite being tasked with a job that sees him spend a lot of time chasing balls into the right-hand channel, he has managed to score 14 goals and assist a further six, making it 20 goal contributions from 22 league starts. That right boot might pack a punch but it’s accuracy is unerring.  

 

 

Macaulay Langstaff – Notts County  

 

Before the start of the 2021/22 season, Macaulay Langstaff had played 97 matches at National League North level. He had started 38 of those and scored 15 goals. He was then trusted by Mike Williamson to be a regular starter and promptly scored 28 league goals as Gateshead won something of a surprise promotion. He joined Notts County this summer, expected to replace Kyle Wootton and lead their charge towards the EFL – he has already surpassed Wootton and Rodrigues’ total of 19 last season. He just has this way of sniffing out chances, reading the bounce of the ball in the box or finding the smallest of spaces in a crowded box. Give Langstaff chances and he scores goals.  

 

 

 

 

Subs: 

 

Grant Smith – Yeovil Town  

 

Another goalkeeper for a lesser light of the division having a superb season despite being tested more than he would appreciate.  

 

Kacper Lopata – Southend United  

 

A young man that has had a big impact on the Southend United defence since returning permanently – his return coincided with a run of four goals conceded in 11 matches.  

 

Darren Oldaker – Chesterfield 

 

A talented midfielder with wonderful technique that keeps the ball ticking along for Chesterfield and can turn defence into attack quickly.  

 

Ryan Colclough – Aldershot 

 

The dribble master of the division again getting fans off their seat and providing substance with 13 goals and assists to date.  

 

Nicke Kabamba – Barnet 

 

Barnet’s sole striker has been relied upon heavily this year but hasn’t let his team down with 11 goals and six assists.