Woeful first half. Shed load of strikers and we have Loft isolated up front with Eisa and Gillead shoved to the centre. There is no control of the game, no width and the defence looks a risk all the time.
Not the best is it. Newport so much better on the ball and look to know where they’re actually supposed to be playing. Us on the other hand, all over the place…and when we do get on the ball we give it away cheaply.
Why do our managers over recent players love playing 3 at the back and these stupid formations? Cox even came in professing quite vehemently that he plays 4-4-2 yet hasn’t played it yet! Gilli and Eisa wasted when not on the wings.
Thought it was a really Poor first half and struggled to see why we set up how we did. Back to the square pegs in round holes scenario with Eisa chasing shadows up front, Gillead anonymous in centre mid and both wing backs looking uncomfortable. Newport showed confidence on the ball, controlled the game and deserved their half time lead.
Second half We came out with intent and tried to take the game to Newport. When we got the ball moving Newport started retreating further back and allowed our creative players more time on the ball; Hippolyte impressed me second half, still rough round the edges but tried to be positive. The 3 centre backs did well for the majority; Mcgahey had a poor first half but improved during the second.
Loft’s goal was superb, can’t wait to see him link up with Mcatee or Kev.
I think that weaknesses in FB areas had to be closed up – hence this formation to add greater cover.
Interesting how many of our team today won balls that were harder than 50/50. That really cheered me. I think every player who started did this a number of times each. Passing was often crisp 2nd half.
Great goal.
Hippolyte’s defensive qualities proved to be an added but unexpected bonus.
At half time I was thinking of recent opening day disasters at places like Burton,Crawley and Swindon.That was avoided, my £10 was just about well spent, and like Lesgeo I’m just about optimistic for the forthcoming season.My first post for 12 months and I’m glad to be back.UTI.
These inexperienced players will get better and remember we have players to come back, also will be interesting to see two 6’2” plus strikers up front together because Neil said tonight he wants to play them together but the German lad has only just got his visa, surprised Colclough wasn’t brought on for his experience because they looked comfortable at the back late on, cracking goal by Loft though but poor defending by us for theirs, I think Watson would have saved it if it hadn’t got the deflection.
Loft is (literally) head and shoulders above his team-mates but really needs a strike partner in a 4-4-2. Not sure why he came off with five minutes left when he was the only real striker and had shown he can produce a goal out of nothing, which was really the only way we were going to win at the point.
Eisa, Gillead and Hippolyte were playing out of position but did the best they could, I thought.
The centre backs were OK with balls through the middle but the defence is still fragile on wide play.
Newport deserved to win; we dodged a couple of bullets. They weren’t great but their coaching looks better than ours. Still a lot of work to do.
Agree with all the above BUT why can we NEVER apply pressure to our opponents? Why do we allow them so much possession? Why are we never on the front foot and in their half for long periods?
Loft again the stand out player for me – although I did detect a slight drop of the shoulders in frustration before he scpred his scorcher.Disappointed to see no 4-4-2 attacking formation that we were promised, but for a young team in their first game, a point seemed a good return for their performance. Not convinced Newport are anything special on that showing but the next few games may tell us more. Onwards and upwards Neil!
Neil needs to cut the BS and tell it how it is, don’t promise attacking football and deliver this!
Matchday squad included 1FB (unused) 5 Wide MF (4 on at once) 3 strikers (although we only used one at a time) and too many out of position. (Where have we seen that before?)
Give the lads a chance Neil, let them do what they do best.
Gillead doesn’t work in Cm and it’s not needed. Vincent not as good as last week today but definitely good enough and Spence I like. He doesn’t look like he’s doing a lot but he gets in good positions. Bit of time and he could be the break up man we’ve missed since Bish left. Doesn’t look to do much but stops the opposition from playing.
Although I would still like us to add an experienced Cm.
442 with Gillead, Eisa, Hippolyte and Colclough to chose from as wingers. Who else in league 2 has options like that?
Agreed with Spence- thought he did a lot of donkey work today and got himself in the right positions.
Despite it not being an easy watch that is a game we could have easily lost and probably would’ve done last year. The lads came out at the start of the 2nd half with real intent and it’s a shame so many stoppages in play occurred after we scored because it seemed to knock the momentum out of us.
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