Let's talk about the Newport County game

[selby]

  The big question is will we be s**t or sugar as we once again start out on our never ending quest to actually get past a long run of two unbeaten games on the bounce, against a team that we can go level on points with if we get a victory.
  Newport County have been a credit to the league since getting promotion back into Division 2 and a number of managers have gone on to supposedly better things after building teams costing buttons, with players cast offs from other clubs or from the non league scene mostly, a prime example being Omar Bogle probably the most maligned and badly treated player unfortunately to be at the Rovers at the wrong time and I am pleased to say has overcome that experience and flourished somewhat at Newport, credit to him and their management.
   In Evans they have a player in the top level of scorers in this Division who will test our cullender of a defence to the limit given the chance, so will need watching carefully, and generally have a strong outfit with players who give their all every game.
  Questions must start to be asked about the make up of our side after again disappointing at Harrogate where defensively we once again had a shocker in midfield and at the back a repetitive strain that is all too familiar and has gone on for far too long.
  Up front we are numbers short but now Faal especially has competition but I think he is being wrote off too soon to be changed and will come back stronger if we persist with him and introduce the new lad slowly.
  In central defence everyone apart from Faulkner and McGrath the new lad seems to have had a chance and have had poor games interrupted somewhat with good games in alternate games, which is not good enough.
  The signals coming out of interviews of the manager and his entourage  give the impression that they are as mystified and perplexed as we the supporters are with the teams inconsistencies and are penalised by injury to do a lot about it, those troubles now look like clearing up slowly and players like Faulkner and Flint are not that far away and with McGrath surely should at this moment in time along with Sam Brown be looked on as the future and need careful mentoring and experience, the future looking better than the recent past to me.
  So what do you think? that recurring question coming along tinged with frustration after we were looking for a much better season, the EFL Trophy competition growing in importance to the club with every league fixture defeat.
  Lots to discuss about this game, and the season going forward, and points needed to keep us clear from trouble so please have your say about the situations and how you see us going forward  especially this game.

[Chris Black come back]

Not a great away record, lost as many as we have (9). Managed two away clean sheets all season and one of those was Forest Green. Current form not especially great, winning 1 in 6 despite playing some real rubbish among that run.

[BigH]

Not a great away record, lost as many as we have (9). Managed two away clean sheets all season and one of those was Forest Green. Current form not especially great, winning 1 in 6 despite playing some real rubbish among that run.

Newport win it is then...

[dickos1]

I think it wouldn’t hurt to adopt a different formation and give a bit of protection to the back 4

if fit this is the team I’d play

                           Lawlor
Sterry             Wood    Faulkner       Senior


               Close              Bailey

Molyneux             Hurst           Maxwell

                         Ironside

[GazLaz]

I think it wouldn’t hurt to adopt a different formation and give a bit of protection to the back 4

if fit this is the team I’d play

                           Lawlor
Sterry             Wood    Faulkner       Senior


               Close              Bailey

Molyneux             Hurst           Maxwell

                         Ironside

I wouldn’t be dead against that. Not a huge fan of attacking fullbacks being used as wingers though. Different skill.

I thought Carty looked ok. He could end up playing regularly. Looked like a player in the warm up. Technique decent, bit of pace about him. He may not convert it into performances but think he will get his chance in the next game.

[Chris Black come back]

Don’t think either Maxwell or Hurst are fit. Even if they were, Hurst has always played on the left side, or on a few occasions on right side. No evidence of him being able to play through middle. Would sooner put Hurst on left and have Rowe in middle of that three.

[sedwardsdrfc]

We’ve had so much joy with Ironside and Faal playing close together and gives us options to go long and mix it up. Don’t get why we can’t just play 442.

               Jones
Sterry Olowu Faulkner Senior
Moly Close Bailey Hurst
        Faal Ironside

I’d play something like the above with the players available then Bailey would go back to centre half when we get midfielders back. If Hurst isn’t fit Rowe can just play on the left of a 4 and would be fine

[ncRover]

Was Carty a right footed player lining up as the left forward?

[drfcsteve]

You’d imagine McGrath would come in at some point otherwise why has McCann signed him?

[Draytonian III]

            Jones
Sterry Olowu McGrath Senior
            Bailey
      Close Rowe
Carty Ironside Faal

[Barmby Rover]

There needs to be a significant win against Newport, a team one ahead of us, with no great away record, our GD needs to become more positive, as does our play. These games are vital to win now.

[pib]

Was Carty a right footed player lining up as the left forward?

Looked left footed in the warm up and in clips.

[dickos1]

Don’t think either Maxwell or Hurst are fit. Even if they were, Hurst has always played on the left side, or on a few occasions on right side. No evidence of him being able to play through middle. Would sooner put Hurst on left and have Rowe in middle of that three.

The 3 behind Ironside would be fluid and interchange, hurst has played a few times off a striker, but that wouldn’t be his role here.
Close and Bailey would hold the middle of the park and let the 3 in front of them go where they want.
Maxwell always looks to me like he’s great going forward, we look dangerous when he plays and he knows how to hurt teams.

[ncRover]

Was Carty a right footed player lining up as the left forward?

Looked left footed in the warm up and in clips.

Thanks

Hmm normally in a 4-3-3 you see the wide forward on the opposite side of the pitch to their strong foot so they can drift inside towards goal.

[Spilsby Red]

Let’s be the 12th man for the team. Against MK Dons and Grimsby in mine and my son’s opinion were the best atmosphere we have been to this season and probably last season. The players dug in. They seemed to thrive on the love from the fans.
Let’s get behind them again and again from the stands.
We all know there are issues and frustrations. Let’s get behind GM and the team. This can only help and not hinder.
People talk about us being in the dark days. This is nothing like it was in 1997. TB has put money into the club, some want more but he has kept our club going. I thank him for that.
We have no given right to beat teams like Harrogate, Newport etc at this moment.
My opinion is GM will get it right, he came back to put right a wrong. He will get players out who don’t fight or listen. Might not be now but could be the summer.
I have never known injuries like it. That doesn’t help. But maybe some players aren’t up for the fight which can make injuries last longer.
People on here give good comments which is what this forum is all about.
Let’s get behind the team and club. This will help the players too

[selby]

  I am going to make a wild guess with Grant, I think his preferred line up is a back three defenders a system the present central defenders we have are not at all suited to, either fitness or physical and ability wise.
  Could McGrath be a left sided central defender suited to that system with Faulkner central and Flint right sided and the future?
  Something has to give, we cannot continue to to keep shipping goals the way we are doing, and the only negative I can see is the lack of experience in that line up, one that will get better, and cannot be any worse than what we have got, plus the manager would go up in my estimation anyway for having the foresight to at least try it, injury allowing would the Wigan Game be the ideal game?
  I could be completely wrong, I have no idea if that line up has even been considered, but it could be an option from the outside looking in, and if successful could offer big value in the transfer market as a young back line like that would attract attention if they did well.
  Is it something you would consider for the Newport game?

[ravenrover]

Wigan game, my thoughts exactly Selby

[Paul Simpson]

Agree it’s worth trying something different from this shambles of a defence! Not sure the Keeper is anywhere near good enough though to back up a young defence?

[Colin C No.3]

                              Lawlor

         Sterry.     Olowu.   Faulkner      Senior

                               Bailey

                     Close.              Rowe

          Moly.           Ironside.        Carty

Bailey playing his ‘natural’ position of defensive midfielder is capable of linking with Close & Rowe whilst offering ‘protection’ to the back four he’s that good a player.

Faal looks bereft of ideas, pace or any sort of composure & his lack of goals appears to be weighing on his shoulders of late so I’d start Carty on the left side of Joe as he seems ‘easy on the ball’ & has pace with Moly in his ‘usual’ right hand side.

Ironside is NOT a No.10. I never want to see him that far from the box again. He would have buried the chance that fell to Moly seconds into the 2nd half of the game on Saturday.

We need to ‘freshen’ things up. Too many players not ‘buying into’ what Grant & his staff are trying to drill into them.

[drfcsteve]

Bailey is our most reliable central defender, every time he’s not been playing in the defence it’s been a disaster, so I worry about him not being there and being put in midfield.

[RugbyRover]

I just don't understand why so many of you are picking Olowu 

How many chances are we going to give him?

Bailey and McGrath centre backs
Broadbent in for Biggo
New lad in for Faal

[roversdude]

            Jones
Sterry Olowu McGrath Senior
            Bailey
      Close Rowe
Carty Ironside Faal

Agree with that but Bailey at the back and Biggins in midfield - Olowu missing out

[Metalmicky]

I see Newport have drawn Man Utd in the next round if they get through their FA Cup replay...

[Alan Southstand]

I think the midfield will be different, if rumours are anywhere near correct.

[selby]

I am really looking forward to seeing McGrath play if he is ready, who was replaced in the Coventry u21s by a seventeen year old called De Trollio who in turn is now out on loan in mens football in non league to get experience. But picking a player before Faulkner who has a record of Alfreton and an obscure Irish League team  I can only put down to him being a new name that excites you roversdude.
  I hope both play against Wigan with Flint to be honest, and would start Faulkner v Newport.

[roversdude]

I am really looking forward to seeing McGrath play if he is ready, who was replaced in the Coventry u21s by a seventeen year old called De Trollio who in turn is now out on loan in mens football in non league to get experience. But picking a player before Faulkner who has a record of Alfreton and an obscure Irish League team  I can only put down to him being a new name that excites you roversdude.
  I hope both play against Wigan with Flint to be honest, and would start Faulkner v Newport.

Selby I’d start Bobby every game, it’s only lack of game time after his injury that makes me think otherwise

[steve@dcfd]

Is Bobby naturally right footed if so why put him on the left of a central two. If he does start on Saturday or Tuesday he should be on the right of the central two. We know Bailey and Olowu can play both and McGrath is left footed.
So all four if Anderson is not ready should get time on the pitch either Saturday or Tuesday

[selby]

  I see that and agree, he needs to be 100% and is about there If Olowu is preferred right Saturday fair does, Tuesday v Wigan I would play Faulkner central with Flint right and McGrath left and see how they go, they would be playing for the shirt for me with a view to play games the rest of the season when fit, it is time for a change.
  Of course them playing Saturday would be under the same pressure
 But they have been hit one miss one for ages so need to do it every week from now on, they have had their chance more than once, Saturday would be their last.

[DearneValleyRover]

I doubt he will play 3 at the back having said his preferred formations have only 2 centre half’s

[Lytham Rover]

            Jones
Sterry Olowu McGrath Senior
            Bailey
      Close Rowe
Carty Ironside Faal

Can't leave out Molyneux