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Will Magpies loan unclip Harry Arter's wings?

Taking one step backwards in order to make two forwards should never be considered a bad thing, with it of vital importance – particularly in sporting circles – to keep eyes fixed on a much bigger picture. What may look like regression at any given point in time could actually prove to be a spark for future progression.

Harry Arter is among those looking to slip his career out of reverse and start moving through the gears once more. The last two years have been a rather humbling experience for the Republic of Ireland international, but eroded confidence can easily be restored.

Back in August 2020, an experienced midfielder formed part of a Fulham squad that found a golden ticket in the Championship play-off lottery. He was contracted to a Premier League outfit at that stage in the form of and a few weeks later secured himself a move to another ambitious project at Nottingham Forest.

Fast forward to the present and Arter is playing no part in a bid for top-flight at the City Ground that has a sleeping giant of English football priced at 29/20 at Space Casino for promotion back into the big time, with his focus instead locked on events on the opposite side of Trent Bridge.

Some 19 months on from helping Fulham to rejoin the elite, a loan switch to of the was agreed. From the outside looking in, it appeared as though a man with 19 senior caps to his name for an adopted homeland had rather lost his way.

No spent force

Arter has, however, quickly set about proving that he is anything but a spent force during his time at Meadow Lane. He was acquired by Ian Burchnall as much for his leadership skills and know-how as he was for his ability on the ball, and those qualities have been put to good use.

Through his opening seven appearances for County, a commanding exponent of the holding role played his part in five victories – collecting a total of 16 points – and suffered only one defeat. At a stage of the season where inspiration was being sought from somewhere, it was found from an unlikely source.

Burchnall has said of a shrewd addition to this ranks: “His experience just settles the team down and allows us to play our football. In terms of his organisation, it's very good.” The value of having somebody on board who has been there, done it and got the t-shirt cannot be underestimated when so much starts to rest on each passing performance.

There is no chance of County putting a permanent transfer in place, given the contract that is held over the road at Forest, but Arter may yet add another successful promotion push to an already distinguished CV. Having cause for celebration would represent a welcome change of pace when recent history is taken into account.

He has been showing that any talk of professional demise has been greatly exaggerated, with there still plenty left in the tank for fifth-tier competition and beyond, and a short spell with the Magpies is allowing clipped wings to be freed as he seeks to spread them far and wide once more.

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