Newport Match Thread

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Win on Saturday and we could be 8 points off the play offs with a game in hand. Very much an outside chance but amazing we even have that.

Being optimistic*, Saturday's game is a six-pointer. Win that and the game in hand and it's 5 points behind them who are currently 7th.

* being very optimistic in fact because it relies on others dropping points too.

Lose and we can kiss the dream goodbye for this season.

A few observations on our position tonight...

We’re now just 2 points behind Forest Green in 10th, who were in the play-off spots when we played them a weekend.

A win on Saturday for Town, and a defeat for EITHER Colchester or Port Vale will have us 8 points off the play-offs with a game in hand and 11 games remaining.

We’re now 22 points above bottom placed Stevenage, which must be our largest cushion from a football league relegation zone in some years (possibly 2006).

I still don’t believe we can make the play-offs, but there’s certainly a more positive complexion on things these days.

Great result played really good footy in patches, still dont think our pitch is condusive to the passing game and really needs some work in the summer. Everyone had a decent game but what a difference when Clarke came on at the end, totally influenced the game and brought us back under control. Disappointed they took their booked defender off at half time as he was struggling with through balls and as likely to get a red as Hanson.  4-2    happy to see that every week even if the odd one has to be a defeat. UTMM

Quoted from 123614

I doubt very much that we will see Swin on here tonight!

I've been here all evening you clever girl private

Quoted from Madeleymariner

Great result played really good footy in patches, still dont think our pitch is condusive to the passing game and really needs some work in the summer. Everyone had a decent game but what a difference when Clarke came on at the end, totally influenced the game and brought us back under control. Disappointed they took their booked defender off at half time as he was struggling with through balls and as likely to get a red as Hanson.  4-2    happy to see that every week even if the odd one has to be a defeat. UTMM

Billy Clarke is class, bossed it from the wing when he came on & see what Olly sees in Tilley & Benson what a goal
But Harry MOM ran his socks off

Quoted from Kris2

I like that we've become a very confident attacking side and exciting to watch. Defence can leave a lot to be desired sometimes with poor mistakes but as long as we score more goals it's all good  .

Newport seemed like they are capable of playing football but are coached to be a scrappy side that tries gamesmanship and the ref I think was conned quite a few times and intimidated into giving them more decisions than against them.

Are they coached to play like that?

Quoted from Madeleymariner

Great result played really good footy in patches, still dont think our pitch is condusive to the passing game and really needs some work in the summer. Everyone had a decent game but what a difference when Clarke came on at the end, totally influenced the game and brought us back under control. Disappointed they took their booked defender off at half time as he was struggling with through balls and as likely to get a red as Hanson.  4-2    happy to see that every week even if the odd one has to be a defeat. UTMM

I agree. I think tonight and the Colchester game were great examples of Ollie using the squad to its potential. The teams have been changed around a lot yet by and large it's worked, as have his subs.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

Bit of a curate's egg of a game. Some really good stuff. Then scrappy.

Newport got their just desserts. They were playing well after that early goal and then they started all the gamesmanship. Shot themselves in the foot because if they'd concentrated on playing properly they could have got a result.

They can play but think they get dragged down into that League 2 malaise of physicality gamesmanship conning ref etc which we don't do
Pass and move forget the rest
Olly Billy Clarke breath of fresh

100% record on Tuesdays since IH took over.

Fully deserved the win and Newports spoiling tactics are tiresome, the constant moaning by their support staff to the 4th official needs looking at.

Some well taken goals but we need to stop shipping goals, overall pleased with many performances tonight onwards and upwards.