Notts County are amongst many people's favourites to be promoted this summer, with SkyBet having them as second favourites to earn League One football.

Their casting as one of the early favourites isn't by accident, last season they looked nailed on for a top three finish until a post-Christmas wobble saw them tumble into the play-offs. A resurgent Coventry City ended their hopes at the semi-final stage, but Kevin Nolan wasn't to be deterred.

He used the summer break wisely, capturing a string of high-profile names including Kane Hemmings, Kristian Dennis and Enzio Boldewijn. Even losing captain Michael O'Connor didn't damage them too much, with Nottingham Forest veteran David Vaughan hopping across the Trent and probably not needing relocation costs as part of his move.

The change hasn't just been in the players under the black and white stripes either, but there's been a shift of emphasis this pre-season. The Magpies have looked to play a slick, passing game which is a progression from last time out. They were never 'long ball' as such, but the transition from front to back was quick with wide players hoping to feed the likes of Jon Stead at pace.

The aging forward line has been revamped, but there's a feeling Dennis and Hemmings would thrive more in the environment provided last season, rather than in the neat passing game Nolan has developed over the summer. That isn't to say that it won't work, good players can adapt and David Vaughan won't be unfamiliar with such a style, but it may take time.

Losing ground early in League Two can be difficult, County demonstrated last season how a good start goes some way to setting you up for an entire campaign. Their 2018 form was average, lower to mid table at best, but that big start saw them remaining ensconced in the top seven.

The problem with being everyone's pre-season tip for the top is the pressure that brings. If County do get off to a tough start, how quickly will they become 'much-fancied side struggling to adapt'? With the money they've spent in securing Hemmings, Dennis and Boldewijn, how quickly will the chairman act if things don't start well?

The major concern has to be over that end of season collapse. Their form over the final 26 games would have seen them finish ninth, an outcome that may not have resulted in such optimism this season. If they start to struggle for form again, will Kevin Nolan have the answers which eluded him last time around?

Of course, this could all be conjecture, a couple of early wins and goals for the new boys and they may well take their place in the top three, battling with rivals Mansfield Town and Lincoln City for the chance to be the top team in the East Midlands.