The performances of recent arrivals Jacob Bedeau and Matty Platt have been instrumental in the Magpies’ defensive turnaround; together with Lewis Macari and new custodian Alex Bass, they appear to be the solution to the team’s defensive problems. The Magpies’ backline already appears to be a much tighter unit than the one that concluded the 2023–24 season with the worst defensive record in League Two.
Bedeau and Platt are proving to be Notts bargains
After last season’s constant breakdowns at the back, defensive reinforcements would’ve sat firmly at the top of Notts’ priorities for the summer window and in Platt and Bedeau they look to have picked up two bargains.
Both arrived at Meadow Lane on free transfers, with Platt joining from Bradford City on 24th May and Bedeau making the switch from Morecambe on 11th June.
With both players out of contract at their previous clubs at the start of the summer, the fact that Notts have been able to secure the signatures of both highlights once again how attractive a proposition Notts are for players at this level of football.
The all-round package that Notts can offer a player can be matched by very few in the lower leagues, something which is invaluable to them when pitching the club to prospective signings.
Platt was brought in to take centre stage in The Magpies’ back three, and he has shown himself to be completely at ease in Stuart Maynard’s system thus far.
The 26-year-old, who played for Barrow in their 2019 National League title-winning 3-0 victory over Notts, has thus far shown excellent ball handling in the box.
Additionally, he appears to be well-aware of when to play out from the back and when the ball needs to be cleared, which will be important for Notts’ defensive efforts this season after they far too frequently gave up possession in their own end last season.
Platt will be expected to handle the ball a lot when developing attacks because he plays the central position in Notts’ back three. By season’s end, Aden Baldwin had the most accurate passes per ninety minutes in the entire league while playing in that role
Even though Platt lacks the technical skill of his predecessor Baldwin—few League Two centre half have, to be fair—he still appears to be more than capable of handling the ball well enough to be useful in Maynard’s system.
In the meanwhile, Bedeau gives the Notts defence a bit more quickness and skill with the ball. Based on what we’ve seen so far, the left-sided centre half also appears to be an excellent one-on-one defender.
The former Aston Villa player appears to have excellent technical ability, which is crucial given that Notts’ two wide centre halves are expected to enter games and assist the two wing-backs.
