Newport County AFC v Luton Town 17/3

[BelizeHatter]

Our free flowing football starting with passing it out from the back thru midfield looking to open up defences has completely dissappeared. We don't use the fullbacks for width any more, don't play it out from keeper as much, pass and move into channels and space or any if the things that had us free scoring. Each centre half takes turns to hoof it forward towards one if the strikers or just into open space. We haven't been sussed out or tactically undone we just stopped doing what we did well. Why?

 

[Maple Hatter]

Our free flowing football starting with passing it out from the back thru midfield looking to open up defences has completely dissappeared. We don't use the fullbacks for width any more, don't play it out from keeper as much, pass and move into channels and space or any if the things that had us free scoring. Each centre half takes turns to hoof it forward towards one if the strikers or just into open space. We haven't been sussed out or tactically undone we just stopped doing what we did well. Why?

Agree, but even during our good run of form we had games when we resorted to the long ball, games which we were comfortably beaten in. We seem to resort to that style when we lack confidence or allow teams to dictate. Almost looks like desperation on our part. The big disappointment for me is the lack of width and Potts in particular who seems to play far more defencively and is not getting forward anywhere near as much as he did previously, even if he did score yesterday. Perhaps opposing managers have focused on this area but its up to NJ to outwit them tactically which he should be able to do bearing in mind the quality we have in the squad. NJ has blamed a lot of our poor performances on the conditions. Not sure what he expects the pitches to look like in winter. Good footballing teams can play in any conditions. The comparison to last season is there to be seen. Not just us reverting back to last season style of play but the lack of confidence our players seem to have not to mention a manager who bemoans bad luck and bad decisions for our failures. The fans are also getting a bit worried which is the last thing we need. A nervous and tense KR works against us. The positives are that we still have our own destiny in our hands and we have a few easier games coming up. A couple of wins and suddenly the picture could change again. We all know what the team is capable of.

 

[BelizeHatter]

That's my worry. A few easier games a win here and there we go up and paper over the cracks thinking all is rosey. It isn't. We have some fundamental flaws that need adressing. Our spine is not what it should be. Rea has been poor for him in the defensive mid roll since Cuthbert came back. The goal was his fault knowing Stech is likely to Parry it back out - he fell asleep. McCormack needs to come back in. Steady us. Thought Gambin had a decent game. Hylton still way off his normal game too

 

[Kenneth E End]

The 4-3-3 v Coventry and Newport is completely unbalanced.

Against Coventry especially, you had the back four and two defensive midfielders sitting in front. There was then a huge gap in the middle of the park, with Hylton, Collins and Cornick in front of Berry sitting just behind.

As a result, it allowed both teams just to run at our defence, who were then not able to get tight enough and essentially do what teams do to us - close us down quick, not allow us to play. As such, there is no one in the middle of the park to allow us to stop the attack.

 

[Maple Hatter]

The 4-3-3 v Coventry and Newport is completely unbalanced.

Against Coventry especially, you had the back four and two defensive midfielders sitting in front. There was then a huge gap in the middle of the park, with Hylton, Collins and Cornick in front of Berry sitting just behind.

As a result, it allowed both teams just to run at our defence, who were then not able to get tight enough and essentially do what teams do to us - close us down quick, not allow us to play. As such, there is no one in the middle of the park to allow us to stop the attack.

Having that gap in midfield is also the main reason we have to knock it long. I've noticed the teams we have struggled against this season have started the game at a high tempo and often got that first goal resulting in us becoming unsettled, lacking in fluency and prone to making errors. Amazing really that even the teams at the bottom of the league have turned us over with some ease purely by increasing the tempo and not sitting back. Even as early as the Barnet away game it was there to be seen. This Saturday we need to have more stability in midfield and defence. Its those battles we really need to win. McCormack back in the middle and JJ at RB. Stech should definately be rested.

 

[oakroader]

Next game is on sky ....dont bode well!!!

 

[mowgli]

Next game is on sky ....dont bode well!!!

Against Barnet and you're worried Oakey? If we can win 2-0 at their place in dire conditions you should easily win against them although i'll be wishing Barnet win but there's more chance of me getting sunburned in Somerset tomorrow sitting in our local park topless.

 

[oakroader]

Against Barnet and you're worried Oakey? If we can win 2-0 at their place in dire conditions you should easily win against them although i'll be wishing Barnet win but there's more chance of me getting sunburned in Somerset tomorrow sitting in our local park topless.

A sight to behold I’m sure...
But tv and Luton don’t mix well...
Regardless of the opposition we generally suffer from stage fright..