If Ipswich Town and Plymouth do come calling again, Notts County must resist selling temptation: Opinion | OneFootball

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Macauley Langstaff scored the opener for the weekend as Notts County picked up a huge three points.

Langstaff’s goal after 38 minutes was cancelled out by Gillingham’s Scott Malone only for Lewis Macari to then score the winner for the away side.

County hang on to second place and remain of the coattails of Stockport County following this victory whereas Gillingham, the former league leaders, continue to slip down the table and are now ninth.

Langstaff now has nine goals to his name in League Two and continues to thrive under the management of Luke Williams.

In the summer, the club had to fight off interest from clubs such as Ipswich Town and Plymouth Argyle and if this interest resumes in January, Notts County should hold firm once again.

Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town were promoted to the Championship after finishing first and second respectively in League One last season.

Conor Chaplin, Nathan Broadhead and Freddie Ladapo have combined for 14 goals in the second division to date and so Ipswich certainly aren’t struggling to adjust to life back at that level.

FootballLeagueWorld reported that Kieran McKenna’s side were one of the three teams interested in Notts County forward Macauley Langstaff in the summer.

Plymouth Argyle and Wrexham joined them in this pursuit but he stayed put at Meadow Lane and is reaping the rewards of this decision.

As the goals of Chaplin and co suggest, Ipswich don’t necessarily need further reinforcements in the attacking third come January, but Argyle might renew their interest.

Ryan Hardie leads the team with five Championship goals but hasn’t found the back of the net in his last six games for the 21st-placed Argyle.

The belief in the Scotsman remains in place down in Devon but there is still the question of whether Ben Waine and Mustapha Bundu are capable of deputising and contributing with goals of their own.

As it stands, there has been no clear indication as to whether Argyle or Ipswich will revisit the thought of signing Langstaff.

How is Langstaff performing for Notts County?

As previously, Macauley Langstaff has scored nine League Two goals which has him tied for second in the scoring charts.

Alongside him on the brink of reaching double figures Jake Young of Swindon Town, Matt Smith of Salford City and then Stockport County Isaac Olaofe and Louie Barry too.

Langstaff isn’t alone when it comes to finding the back of the net with returning hero David McGoldrick and former Arsenal youngster Dan Crowley having scored six apiece as well as making three assists each.

The 26-year-old’s ridiculous return of 41 goals in 45 National League games of course won him the Golden Boot and so he is no stranger to being the main man at the top of the pitch.

He totalled more than a goal contribution a game too when you factor in his six assists.

It is clear to see where the interest in Langstaff is coming from but Notts County should try their best to hang on to him.

They are firmly in the hunt for promotion and so he can go to the next level with his current club.

Langstaff himself called the decision to sign his latest deal with the club a “no-brainer” and also went on to tell BBC East Midlands the following. "There was a lot talk and speculation and a lot of people asked why I signed a new contact with the rumours going about, but it was just a case of being happy off the pitch and I'm so happy here.”

Macauley Langstaff and Notts County seem like a match made in heaven and the club will be hoping that it continues for years to come.