McParland: Davies will help attract top players to Notts

By sroden

MANAGER Ian McParland believes the capture of midfielder Ben Davies will help attract even more top players to Notts County.

Shrewsbury wanted their captain to commit to a new deal and other clubs in higher leagues were also chasing his signature.

But ambitious Notts managed to land the 28-year-old yesterday – their sixth summer signing.

McParland admits the pending takeover from Munto meant finances were available to compete to get Davies.

He added: "I would like to think it would help attract other players. When you make signings like Ben Davies, Graeme Lee, Ricky Ravenhill – well respected players in our league -– it will help attract players.

"But word gets around in football of how we do things here and we do things right.

"We have the new training ground coming and the way we want to play the game also helps get the right player.

"We have not finished yet. We want strength to the squad and hopefully get more in so we have a strong squad with plenty of competition.

"We need to build a strong squad and if we suffer a couple of injuries, still be strong. It is looking healthy."

Davies has scored 31 goals from midfield in the last three seasons with the Shrews, who reached the League Two play-off final last season.

"He can get on the ball and open doors for us and his set-pieces are deadly as well," added McParland. "It is an exciting signing for us.

"Graeme Lee (who signed on Tuesday) and Ben were the two players myself and Peter Trembling (chairman-elect) spoke to last Thursday and to have them both on board is fantastic news for the club.

"We've managed to sell to both of them what we're trying to achieve and we believe both Graeme and Ben have a big part to play in that."