IT WAS a hugely impressive performance and emphatic victory from Notts County at Arnold Town.

But there was only one thing Magpies supporters were talking about at the Eagle Valley Stadium last night – the amazing possibility of Sven Goran Eriksson becoming the club's director of football today.

Some of the supporters even hoped that maybe, just maybe, the former England manager might be at the ground.

After one of the most astonishing days in the club's 147-year history it would not have been surprising at all for the Swede to be sat in the away dug-out, alongside boss Ian McParland.

If the fans were disappointed he wasn't, they could not have the same feeling about the Magpies' performance. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Stephen Hunt and Matt Hamshaw both missed the game with slight injuries.

With six of the club's new summer signings in the starting line-up, they totally dominated the home side.

Sean Canham was in particularly lethal form and broke the deadlock after 13 minutes when he ghosted in front of his marker to steer a right-wing cross inside the far post.

The young striker doubled his tally just before the half-hour mark, showing his predatory instinct to steer the ball past Arnold keeper Lee Broster from inside the six-yard box after a stinging shot from Neal Bishop fell at his feet.

That made it 3-0 to Notts. Craig Westcarr doubled their lead on 19 minutes, heading past Broster from point-blank range after Canham headed a cross back across goal.

With the ink barely dry on his two-year deal, Luke Rodgers made it 4-0 on 33 minutes, using his strength to hold off Lee Soar and rifling a low effort inside the far post.

It was 5-0 five minutes later when Chris Hudson inadvertently steered Jamie Clapham's left-wing cross past his own keeper. Canham was poised to complete a first half hat-trick at the far post.

The Magpies made four changes during half-time. Westcarr was pushed forward into attack alongside substitute Delroy Facey and quickly doubled his tally in the opening minutes of the second half with a cool finish inside the penalty area.

The lively and skilful Ben Davies had an effort cleared off the goal-line, before netting from the penalty spot on 81 minutes.

The only downside was the exit of Ricky Ravenhill, who limped off with an injury.

It was a rampant display. Who said Notts need a director of football?

NOTTS: Hoult (Pilkington, 45), Moloney (Lee, 45), Thompson (trialist, 60), Edwards, Clapham, Westcarr, Ravenhill, Bishop (trialist, 60), Davies, Canham (Fairclough, 45), Rodgers (Facey, 45).