Former Notts County forward Mark Stallard has admitted that Macaulay Langstaff has smashed all expectations since he arrived from Gateshead in the summer.
In an interview done exclusively with NottinghamshireLive before the start of the season, Stallard revealed Langstaff had "big shoes to fill" following the departure of Kyle Wootton last summer.
Since then, the current Notts number nine has managed 22 goals so far in the league, while also becoming the first player in National League history to win back-to-back Player of the Month awards following his performances in August and September.
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To put that in perspective, Langstaff has already bettered Wootton's entire total from last season with 21 games still left to play as Ricky Miller's record of 40 goals in a National League campaign is well within his reach.
The 25-year-old was back in the Magpies side for their 2-2 draw with Oldham after missing their Boxing Day clash with the Latics through injury, marking his return with a goal as Luke Williams' side started 2023 with a point away from home.
And speaking exclusively to NottinghamshireLive, Stallard summed up how Langstaff has done in the opening months of his Notts career.
"He did have big boots to fill, it was no easy task coming in to replace what Kyle Wootton had done for the club scoring 50-plus goals over three seasons.
"He could not have done any better, he has filled those boots and them some!
"They are two different types of player of course along with different play within the team under Luke Williams, but he has hit the ground running better than probably he could have expected."
With Langstaff's form has come interest, with several clubs in the EFL rumoured to be interested in his signature.
However, Williams confirmed in his pre-match interview for this weekend's fixture with Aldershot that no club had registered any significant interest in their star forward.
Many rival fans have branded Notts a 'one-man' team given the rate in which Langstaff has scored this season, suggesting that if he was to leave the club this month that the Magpies' chances of automatic promotion could take a huge hit.
And speaking on the importance of Langstaff to Notts' chances of promotion this season, Stallard believes that despite rumoured interest, the 25-year-old will stay at Meadow Lane during January.
"There is going to be interest when you are scoring goals at the rate he's scored them at, of course, he is going to turn heads from teams in higher divisions.
"But I think he is vital for Notts, not that they are a one-man team at all, but if you lose that amount of goals and that prolific striker, we spoke before about having big boots to fill so whoever they might have lined up as a replacement will have to hit the ground running.
"He must stay and I think that he will stay and hopefully continues to replicate what he has done in the first half of the season into the second half."
Langstaff's capture from Gateshead has been considered a masterstroke from those within the recruitment department, unearthing a raw talent to shine under the lights at Meadow Lane following a stellar season with Mike Williamson as Gateshead gained promotion from the National League North.
But Notts' business in the summer has been regarded as one of the best in the division, with all eight players bought in providing that blend of experience and intensity that has resulted in the Magpies' rise to the summit of the standings.
Stallard was quick to applaud the work done by the recruitment team in the summer and was able to provide his thoughts on how the rest of the signings have done since joining the club.
"Macaulay grabs all of the headlines and probably rightly so with his goal-scoring achievements, but you have got to say that everyone has contributed.
"From Geraldo Bajrami to Aden Baldwin, some have contributed more than others but I think Baldwin has grown into the team as the season has gone on and has been a fantastic addition.
"Because of Langstaff, Cedwyn Scott rarely gets a mention but let's not forget he's on 12 goals this season and is probably scoring just over a goal every other game and not playing in his preferred position.
"Tobi Adebayo-Rowling and Sam Austin I am sure would have liked to have played more during the season, but when they have been asked to come in and got the shirt, they have done a great job.
"In terms of recruitment you can't ask too much more of what has been brought in, everyone has played a part during this season thus far."
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