MOTM  Dave Artell
A much better battling performance and Town pretty much pinned Newport in there own half most of the game. Thompson and Rose used there experience and Tharne marshalled what looked today a solid defence. A mention for Eastwood much maligned at times but looked far better than Newports custodian and hopefully he's back to being a competent first choice? Well played Mariners nearly there

Seconded.

MOTM: David Artell.

That was for you gaffer.

UTM

Artell came into criticism against Bradford and rightly so when the midfield looked dead on their feet and he didn't change it up, he's made changes today to make sure we see the game out.

Some unbelievable chances for Wilson today that might have cost us, but we defended well and our keeper had little to do.

Motm for me Thompson just. He breaks down so much of the oppositions play. We're so so lucky to have Rose. He never stops and wins so many valuable free kicks and blocks.

1 more win I hope will be enough.

Well done DA in what was an awful week for him.

UTM

No one had a bad shift today.
Feel for Wilson for as he should have had a couple but for their mom the keeper.

Good solid performances all round. Vernam made a big difference today putting them on the back foot early but Thompson my mom.

No one had a bad shift today.
Feel for Wilson for as he should have had a couple but for their mom the keeper.

Good solid performances all round. Vernam made a big difference today putting them on the back foot early but Thompson my mom.

Wilson was incredibly unlucky with the first of those chances. It looked like the keeper was going the other way and it hit his leg.

Just nice to be able to come on the fishy and look forward to some positive comments. Well done all today.

Not over yet but today is a massive step.

UTFM

6 shots on target today. That's more like it.

The Newport manager has said they were lucky it was only 1-0.

Haven’t seen the stats but we have totally dominated the entire game. Can’t remember a single other time this season when that’s happened.

Quoted from barralad

Wilson was incredibly unlucky with the first of those chances. It looked like the keeper was going the other way and it hit his leg.

First and third chances were good goalkeeping (though you'd hope one of them might have gone in), but the second chance was an absolute sitter on his good foot and he just booted it at the keeper. There was an earlier breaknas well where Smith did really well to burst into the box unmarked, but Wilson didn't even try to pick him out, instead smacking a shot into the one defender nearby. He'll be pleased that we held out for a win.

A mention to Eastwood who was again very solid today and he has massive kick which was really helpful in today's wind. Even when it blew straight out, the throw-in still ended up in their half.

Quoted from monkeyboy

No one had a bad shift today.
Feel for Wilson for as he should have had a couple but for their mom the keeper.

Good solid performances all round. Vernam made a big difference today putting them on the back foot early but Thompson my mom.

I thought the same about Wilson but I’ve just watched it back and it was really poor finishing from him. Keeper had it straight at him for each of his hat trick of sitters.

Quoted from davmariner

I thought the same about Wilson but I’ve just watched it back and it was really poor finishing from him. Keeper had it straight at him for each of his hat trick of sitters.

But at least he was getting into scoring positions. If he keeps that up he will score at some point, and at least we had half a dozen shots on target today.

A perfect day for us results wise. Thompson outstanding, everyone else brilliant though as were the fans. You could see that it meant a lot to DA at full time.

Bobby Madley with another good reffing perfomance at BP during a succesful relegation battle too. Last here, I think, when Mitch Rose knocked a penalty past a young Aaron Ramsdale in goal for Chesterfield.

Quoted from davmariner

I thought the same about Wilson but I’ve just watched it back and it was really poor finishing from him. Keeper had it straight at him for each of his hat trick of sitters.

Yeah I thought that at the time, especially the second one which he should've done much better with.

Smith looked decent and I think Mullarkey is actually looking like a reasonable player now.

If we can keep Vernam fit we have a top league 2 player on our hands, definitely has speed and ability beyond the rest of them.

Hopefully Artell can get a few more decent footballers in so we can move forward next year.

Quoted from LH

A perfect day for us results wise. Thompson outstanding, everyone else brilliant though as were the fans. You could see that it meant a lot to DA at full time.

Bobby Madley with another good reffing perfomance at BP during a succesful relegation battle too. Last here, I think, when Mitch Rose knocked a penalty past a young Aaron Ramsdale in goal for Chesterfield.

Was that Bobby Madley? I thought the ref was once again flipping horrendous today.

At times this season it’s felt like we’ve got on the wrong end of every single fine margin possible. I didn’t see too much difference today from some of the other draws this season that have resulted in uproar, we could’ve easily drawn another one there after not burying our chances.

We deserved it though, pleased for Artell & the players.

Couple more points and we can write this season off as a shocker, but I really don’t think they’re the bunch of no hopers they’ve been accused of being. We desperately need some creativity in there though.

About half way through the first half the Newport manager was raging at Danny Rose for something petty

The stare that Danny fixed him with was a thing to behold. Absolute class that man we are honoured to have him on the team.

Quoted from Bigwinn1975

About half way through the first half the Newport manager was raging at Danny Rose for something petty

The stare that Danny fixed him with was a thing to behold. Absolute class that man we are honoured to have him on the team.

Coughlan managed him at Mansfield, I presume there’s a bit of bad blood there

Think Tharme also deserves a mention- he put in a hell of a shift today. Turning into a really astute signing

A 🌉keen Newport fan on the BBC match comments said that was as good as any performance that the had seen from any team this season.  He was baffled as to why we are in such a dire league position.  

This is my favorite thread on the fishy you get a good idea on true fan opinion across the board.
Across the park today a full shift was put in across the team giving us a win, abit more faith in the gaffer in his circumstances thank you.
The fans putting  volume  in the ground get there money's  worth , no one leaving 10-15 mins before the last whistle
Happy Days
Phew 3points
"COME ON TOWN !!"

Quoted from Bigwinn1975

The stare that Danny fixed him with was a thing to behold.

Funniest thing I've seen for ages, seemed to last for about a minute, but was probably a lot less.

Quoted from TownSNAFU5

A 🌉keen Newport fan on the BBC match comments said that was as good as any performance that the had seen from any team this season.  He was baffled as to why we are in such a dire league position.  

It's a weird one because sometimes we look good , we have all season at times and on some occasions been unlucky MK Dons & Sutton away the two that come to mind we should have won as we should have probably won both Bradford games  . Only 9 teams in league 2 have lost less than us , but we have just drawn so many .

So is ripping it up completely in the summer the way to go or a more gradual change ?

It will be interesting to see how Artell goes about it and whether he thinks we need the 15-20 player complete revamp or not .

Tharme has indeed been a very useful signing and he was in the wars a bit today but kept on going. The mahoosive throw is a real asset when clearing our lines, though it would be nice if we had a bit more of a threat in the box when it is used in attack. Just a pity that it means we're a centre-half short in the box.

Quoted from Running like emson

Think Tharme also deserves a mention- he put in a hell of a shift today. Turning into a really astute signing

In the summer if Artell can bring in 3 or 4 at the same level as Tharme & Thompson we’ll not struggle like we have done this season.

Quoted from TownSNAFU5

A 🌉keen Newport fan on the BBC match comments said that was as good as any performance that the had seen from any team this season.  He was baffled as to why we are in such a dire league position.  

Personally I think that is a bit over the top from whoever it was. We definitely deserved to win but it was more functional than anything else. I think we have got some potential but are quite a way off at this point.

God I hope we keep Danny Rose. The amount of running and sheer sprinting he does is incredible. Superb again today.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

In the summer if Artell can bring in 3 or 4 at the same level as Tharme & Thompson we’ll not struggle like we have done this season.

If we signed a decent senior keeper , a quality CB and 2 decent CM's do you think we would do a lot better ?

Quoted from Mappers

If we signed a decent senior keeper , a quality CB and 2 decent CM's do you think we would do a lot better ?

Too early to say mate, just need to focus on finishing above the line

Thought we were good today, on and off the pitch everyone was on the same page.

I know Thompson IMHO deservedly won the MOM but f**k me Danny Rose is some player & pro, absolutely relentless.

We seemed to have really conquered the wind today. There were quite a few flying balls which seemed destined to go out of play but were sort of blown back a bit to create chances/corners. Eastwood's blowback kicking particularly seemed spot on.

Quoted from 140381

God I hope we keep Danny Rose. The amount of running and sheer sprinting he does is incredible. Superb again today.

Unless someone is willing to pay a decent fee for a striker the wrong side of 30 he should be you would have thought .

Quoted from Mappers

Unless someone is willing to pay a decent fee for a striker the wrong side of 30 he should be you would have thought .

For some reason I had it in my head he was 28. Still, he’s ace.

Quoted from TownSNAFU5

A 🌉keen Newport fan on the BBC match comments said that was as good as any performance that the had seen from any team this season.  He was baffled as to why we are in such a dire league position.  

That might be his first game!

Better side, more pressure but steady on.......

Got my ticket for last game v Swindon.
Will it be a celebration of relegation avoided before we start or a nervy 90 minutes getting us across the line……..or heavens forbid, still needing something at Crawley……

Forever the optimist…..surely neither Sutton or FGR will catch us….

Quoted from Mappers

Unless someone is willing to pay a decent fee for a striker the wrong side of 30 he should be you would have thought .

And there would be no real value sell on clause on any deal which unless it was a stupid up front fee we’d not sell him, also he’s the captain, best player, top goal scorer & quite rightly loved by everyone

Quoted from HertsGTFC

And there would be no real value sell on clause on any deal which unless it was a stupid up front fee we’d not sell him, also he’s the captain, best player, top goal scorer & quite rightly loved by everyone

Agreed and I really hope it doesn't happen but if he desperately wants to leave then we would have a problem.

There keeper was there MOTM
Out field Lewis was by far there best player, would take him here next season.

I must have witnessed the same game god knows how many times this season ....but this time we won !

I thought Newport were shite...but still thought they would nick one with a spawny deflected off the bottom handball penalty.....
But for once our efforts were rewarded.

Utm

Newport didn't deal with the wind at all well and Rose and Wilson caused them loads of problems, it's just a shame Wilson who is usually a steady finisher didn't have his shooting boots on. Wilson and Rose look a real decent pairing.

Thought Smith had a decent game and the midfield played well, Green and Holohan's combative hard work and Thompson's tenacious quality.

Another win should see us home and dry I would think.

Quoted from TAGG

There keeper was there MOTM
Out field Lewis was by far there best player, would take him here next season.

Put in some great balls, looked very good going forward and pretty solid at the back.

Thoroughly deserved win against a very limited Newport, and I can't remember Eastwood being overly exerted all afternoon.

Again, we could and should have put the game to bed, but the second goal just wouldn't come, and I never got the sense that Newport had it in them to score a goal and spoil the day.

Today was a huge lift with all the results going exactly how we would have wanted, so even more so now, it's completely in our hands.

We look so much more organised now, and Thompson is showing what a good footballer he is. It's almost jarring watching a player who can control and pass a football, calmly and accurately, such has been the paucity of decent players in our team this season until he came along. Head and shoulders our best player again, though there were others who performed to a good standard, Tharme in particular, and I thought Mullarkey had a very steady game too.

Not completely out of the woods yet, but today felt like a massive step toward league football next season.

I don’t think Wilson missed. Their goalkeeper just had a brilliant game. Can’t knock him.

Quoted from ginnywings

Thoroughly deserved win against a very limited Newport, and I can't remember Eastwood being overly exerted all afternoon.

Again, we could and should have put the game to bed, but the second goal just wouldn't come, and I never got the sense that Newport had it in them to score a goal and spoil the day.

Today was a huge lift with all the results going exactly how we would have wanted, so even more so now, it's completely in our hands.

We look so much more organised now, and Thompson is showing what a good footballer he is. It's almost jarring watching a player who can control and pass a football, calmly and accurately, such has been the paucity of decent players in our team this season until he came along. Head and shoulders our best player again, though there were others who performed to a good standard, Tharme in particular, and I thought Mullarkey had a very steady game too.

Not completely out of the woods yet, but today felt like a massive step toward league football next season.

I can’t remember the last time we had a player like Thompson in the middle of the park.

Quoted from IlkleyMariner

Got my ticket for last game v Swindon.
Will it be a celebration of relegation avoided before we start or a nervy 90 minutes getting us across the line……..or heavens forbid, still needing something at Crawley……

Forever the optimist…..surely neither Sutton or FGR will catch us….

Indeed coming up for the Swindon game share the same vibes as yourself "expensive fish & chips" my wife says,but after all i feel will be worth the drive.

Travelling so missed the game but pleased we are as far as I am concerned safe UTMM

Seen some of the worst football this season but seems the lads gave their all, which is all we ask.

Fantastic day all round yesterday. We don’t play the most attractive stuff right now but when we can’t sprinkle any magic, we at least now make sure it’s nigh on impossible for the opposition to get through us. Every single player puffed their chest out again and worked their balls off right to the final whistle.

It was a forced change but they probably didn’t anticipate Vernam playing quite as advanced as he did yesterday and he was another standout performer. Crunching tackles early on but from there on he barely had to defend and ran their defence ragged in some difficult to defend areas.

Thompson again absolutely rock solid; he is so important to us. He does all the dirty work plus he is so calm on the ball and good with it as well. Not shy to drop a shoulder or let the ball run across his body and play his way out of danger. Rose will end player of the season and rightly so, but Thompson won’t be far behind for many which is some story seeing as he signed only in January.

Not sure why but I was surprised when Artell said it was our third 1-0 home victory in our last five so I had a look at what we have done since the Doncaster shambles.

Home
P 5
W 3
D 1 (stoppage time equaliser)
L 1 (money bags FC)

Away
P 5
W 0
D 4 (had the lead in three games)
L 1 (promotion chasers)

Not a lot of goals scored but who would care after what we witnessed against Doncaster. It was all about picking up points from there on and we have found an effective way to do so.

Everyone should be so proud of themselves this morning. Buzzing now for Tuesday night.

All 3 of Wilson chances were as a result of balls over the top,perhaps playing out from the back is not everything

No, but if the opposition defence know you're likely to play it over the top most of the time, they can often deal with it much better. We're not likely to be good enough at playing it out from the back all the time, but if there is doubt in the minds of the opposition, it creates space elsewhere.

A pleasing and very important three points.

Newport put in what looked to be a season already over performance. They looked like their holiday suitcases were already packed.

We played okay I thought, given the poor quality of our squad this season and where we are. We did what we needed to do to control the game and get the points, so we can’t ask for anymore than that with the season we’ve had.

I was frustrated by Dom Wilson’s performance. People keep bigging up their keeper, but for me Wilson has to put some of those chances away. I think he had a real bad day at the office.

Obikwu is perhaps the most frustrating player we’ve got. For a big strong and athletic lad, he looks lazy, unwilling to run, and doesn’t hold the ball up for long enough when he can be bothered to win it. A young kid like him is never the answer to our problems, and the sooner he goes back to his parent club the better.

Rose his usual industrious self today. What Rose lacks in football finesse, he certainly makes up for with work rate and endeavour. His goals this season have been vital, and it’s great to see him back. He now needs some quality company alongside him up top.

Thompson has got better and better as the weeks have gone on, and as his fitness has improved. It wasn’t very long ago that he looked totally unfit. He’s now running the shop in there and is looking good.

It’s a step in the right direction towards survival. But boy are we gonna need a big rebuild this season, because this collective just aren’t up to it

Decent performance against weak opposition. Bottom line we just needed to win. It was the difference between a great afternoon and a crap afternoon. It was a great afternoon

Thomson fantastic, Tharme and Rose excellent , Vernam not far behind. 2 more points will leave FG needing to win 3 draw one and Sutton needing 2 wins and a draw. 3 points and they will need to win them all. A point at Harrogate will be fine, win and the season is over utm

Quoted from TownSNAFU5

A 🌉keen Newport fan on the BBC match comments said that was as good as any performance that the had seen from any team this season.  He was baffled as to why we are in such a dire league position.  

It's because that's not how we have played this season. Great as the result was on Sat, we gain 3 points, every one loses below us, who will put their mortgage on us turning up in Harrogate this Tuesday and playing like that? Of course, we may, but then we have seen it all before, and this forum has been full of "we have turned a corner" only to be humiliated the next match.

Quoted from GrimPol

It's because that's not how we have played this season. Great as the result was on Sat, we gain 3 points, every one loses below us, who will put their mortgage on us turning up in Harrogate this Tuesday and playing like that? Of course, we may, but then we have seen it all before, and this forum has been full of "we have turned a corner" only to be humiliated the next match.

Well we have only lost twice in the last ten games, both against two of the best teams in the division. We also had a six game unbeaten run and earned points away at three teams in the top ten during this spell.

So I don’t think it is accurate to talk about us being humiliated in respect of our performances over the last ten games. I think we have certainly turned a corner since the low point in February and the evidence supports that.

I actually enjoyed the match yesterday. Even though we were only one up, I never really felt like Newport looked anywhere close to getting back level. Clearly an end of season run out for them as they can't be that bad normally.

Thought Artell/ Pearson got tactics spot on,  Vernham at left wing back was a good move. No one had a bad game, with Thompson, Green and Rose my stand out performers. Vernham excellent first half but was hardly involved second half.

I still don't think this team is as bad as our results this season, as weird as that sounds. I would be very cautious about the so called big clear out this summer. With the exception of after our last relegation, I am not sure this has ever worked in our favour. Not saying we don't need new players- of course we do, but I would rather we look for 5 or 6 quality signings that would make a difference and keep a number of the present squad that can do a job, than a complete overhaul of 15 new players.

Quoted from quebec38

Fantastic day all round yesterday. We don’t play the most attractive stuff right now but when we can’t sprinkle any magic, we at least now make sure it’s nigh on impossible for the opposition to get through us. Every single player puffed their chest out again and worked their balls off right to the final whistle.

It was a forced change but they probably didn’t anticipate Vernam playing quite as advanced as he did yesterday and he was another standout performer. Crunching tackles early on but from there on he barely had to defend and ran their defence ragged in some difficult to defend areas.

Thompson again absolutely rock solid; he is so important to us. He does all the dirty work plus he is so calm on the ball and good with it as well. Not shy to drop a shoulder or let the ball run across his body and play his way out of danger. Rose will end player of the season and rightly so, but Thompson won’t be far behind for many which is some story seeing as he signed only in January.

Not sure why but I was surprised when Artell said it was our third 1-0 home victory in our last five so I had a look at what we have done since the Doncaster shambles.

Home
P 5
W 3
D 1 (stoppage time equaliser)
L 1 (money bags FC)

Away
P 5
W 0
D 4 (had the lead in three games)
L 1 (promotion chasers)

Not a lot of goals scored but who would care after what we witnessed against Doncaster. It was all about picking up points from there on and we have found an effective way to do so.

Everyone should be so proud of themselves this morning. Buzzing now for Tuesday night.

Maintain that form over a season and it's 64/65 points. We finished 11th with 61 points last season and after this season, I'd take that kind of form next season to get us back on track.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Maintain that form over a season and it's 64/65 points. We finished 11th with 61 points last season and after this season, I'd take that kind of form next season to get us back on track.

The Doncaster game was an epiphany. At that point we were all over the place in terms of ‘basics’. So many of us pleaded….’abandon the total football for becoming hard to beat, tight, capable of grinding out scruffy, messy, ugly results and get safe’. Crucially, and with one or two exceptions where we’ve reverted to defending like under 10’s on a cold day, we’ve done that, and would you believe it…? We’ve clawed and lurched our way to near safety from the the depths of hopeless and hapless sh1tness and looming relegation. I’m thankful for that stark reality being actioned.