Walker to sharpen attack as Cal waits
ARDLEY SAYS WINGER HAS SIMILAR STYLE
NEAL Ardley believes Tom Walker’s quality in attack will help soften the blow of losing Callum Roberts to injury after landing the Harrogate Town winger on loan.
Walker has signed until January 3 from the League Two side and will go straight into the squad to face Dagenham & Redbridge tomorrow night.
His arrival completes what has been a long pursuit of the former Stockport wide man by Ardley, who had hoped to sign the winger last season but he ended up signing for AFC Fylde.
He then moved to Harrogate in the summer but most of his 12 appearances have come from the substitutes’ bench prompting his switch to Meadow Lane in order to seek regular starts.
And Ardley feels the winger, who scored nine goals in 24 appearances for both Stockport and Fylde last season, will help fill the void left by star winger Roberts, who is sidelined through a groin problem.
“I’ve liked him (Walker) for a while,” said Ardley. “I liked him last season. We’ve looked at him several times but for various reasons not been able to get him.
“We looked at him again in the summer. And then found out that Harrogate purchased him so you think you have lost the chance.
“We’re not really sure where we are with Callum Roberts at the moment as we’re still investigating the process and how long it’s going to be.
“But we’re sort of thinking that we might not have him back over the course of the next couple of weeks.
“With nine games in the month of December, we thought we’d add Tom because one thing he has got at our level is an exceptional goal and assist record both for Fylde and Stockport.
“With the way we play, we think he will certainly be a big player for us. ”
Walker can play both on the right and the left wing but also as a number 10 which gives Ardley plenty of tactical options at his disposal.
Ardley says the 24-year-old does have similar traits to Roberts who has been a huge player for Notts since arriving from Blyth Spartans last January.
But the Notts boss says that nobody should be expecting a like for like replacement.
“Obviously no two players are exactly the same,” he said.
“He is very similar to Cal, in that he’s quick.
“He’s got this running style that wouldn’t make you realize how quick he is. He’s got a lovely left foot, but he’s got a very strong right foot too.
“He can play off the left or the right and he’s equally as comfortable on both sides.
“Cal, I think, would prefer to play off the right.
“Tom can go past people and he’s clever. He’ll buy into the responsibilities without the ball just like Cal, Enzio and Ruben have, so I’ve got no doubt about that and with nine games in the space of four weeks he’s going to be really important.”