Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th January

[THE LAST WALTZ]

Our game's off. Can't say I'm sad about that. Give us a chance to get some bodies in, some injured bodies back.

You couldn’t pick a better time to play us than today.
Your under 12s could beat us at the moment.
Done us a favour, gives a bit longer to find a new manager and bin Bonner.

 

[womble76]

Newport midday inspection now

 

[kieran_vale]

It can’t be helped I guess but I’m presuming all these games today are for TV purposes or a knock on effect of that. Shame because Saturday 3pm and they’d all not have had any issues. Obviously easy to say with hindsight.

 

[Red Dragon]

Surprised by the pitch inspection but then again, rain is persistent so wait and see

 

[Coalite]

It can’t be helped I guess but I’m presuming all these games today are for TV purposes or a knock on effect of that. Shame because Saturday 3pm and they’d all not have had any issues. Obviously easy to say with hindsight.

Isn’t it a knock on from those NYD round of games which were played a day later?

 

[leedsvaliant]

Couldn't disagree more.

As RB says it's a spectrum and you need the right balance to suit your playing squad. Which we clearly got wrong last season but adjustments have been made. We didn't have the players to play it.

I'd much rather my club lean towards Prime Barca than Prime Wimbledon. Had years and years of long diagonals aimed in the rough direction of a big man with the sole aim of picking up the knockdown, scraps.second ball in the oppositions half. Yay a free kick, get the big men up each and every time.

Much prefer players purposefully passing the ball on the deck, nice triangles and all that even if it involves needless passes, mistakes and can be slow at times or heavens forbid involve a pass or three backwards or to the side. Rather than the classic full back ball up the line, long diagonal to the big man bypassing midfield, the hoof from the limited centre half and the false hope of another long throw expert flinging it from all angles and distances. Boring.

Personal preference but when both are effective I'd pick the former every time and I believe the youngsters prefer it too. Helps boost your crowds considerably as it's like what they see on TV.

I think the most preferable style is getting forwards quickly, which doesn't mean long ball. A lot of teams in this league don't have players with the ability to play progressive possession based football that actually gets you somewhere. There's lots of side to side stuff that just becomes dull and then the manager suggests they dominated the game.

I honestly think the Premier league is generally awful nowadays as the pace is often so slow. I can't watch matches in that league. The difference with that league is they have a player who can eventually play the killer pass.

Kids only know that style of play. I think they'd be far more entertained by a faster pace of play.

 

[kieran_vale]

Isn’t it a knock on from those NYD round of games which were played a day later?

Ah yeah of course that would make sense.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Dire when it's pass for passings sake - I think it was Spain who won either the world cup/euros playing 4-6-0 with 70% of the ball but a really boring watch . My preference was the 90's or a bit later style with the likes Windass , Mooney and that as proper lumps up top with a bit of ability and basic 4-4-2 . The game seems to have changed a lot now though a lot more details which I don't always like so much . Our regulars hate the passing it about at the back ,as seen yesterday if you don't do it well a decent team can pick you off and make it look a bit daft .

Anything over what we saw when Greece won the Euros.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Yesterday was a game between two bang average sides, the difference was that Vale put their chances away and we didn’t. I hate the faffing around at the back which started after the game away at Bradford and has coincided with our loss of form. No point talking about the ref as basically most of them are shite and although we should have had a pen in the second half he wasn’t the reason we lost.

 

[Gladders]

He is their new regular now I reckon , it was Wright last game . Will be someone else next week no doubt

Wright has been poor most of the season, good game yesterday but that doesn't change things, we need better if we want to be serious play-off contenders.

I only brought Warren up because me and SoC were discussing who we preferred over Cass and Warren last week and I said Cass as he is more reliable!

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

I think the most preferable style is getting forwards quickly, which doesn't mean long ball. A lot of teams in this league don't have players with the ability to play progressive possession based football that actually gets you somewhere. There's lots of side to side stuff that just becomes dull and then the manager suggests they dominated the game.

I honestly think the Premier league is generally awful nowadays as the pace is often so slow. I can't watch matches in that league. The difference with that league is they have a player who can eventually play the killer pass.

Kids only know that style of play. I think they'd be far more entertained by a faster pace of play.

Compare a top flight season to one in the 80s and you will awful. It's a real shock to see the standard when you see a First Division game from early/mid 80s on one of those retro shows. Supposed to show the best of the best

Totally agree if you don't have the players to do it pointless trying, but we and others do.

When you go direct and successful it isn't long ball. When you go direct and you don't execute well and it's unsuccessful it's hoof ball and at it's worse almost not football. It's like advanced Sunday league. I find it so dull, just centre halves battling the big centre forward, midfield largely bypassed and relying on a greater amount of luck.

When passing football is unsuccessful or not executed it's slow, dull and creates nothing. Just be good at you plan.

You are right as really young age groups they are taught the passing approach probably after the FA realised that you can't play the direct get it forward quickly approach at tournaments. It just doesn't work. Then we realised you can't win European trophies at elite level without the ball.

Most clubs won't adopt it, I'm so glad we do. Crowds certainly suggest it's liked at NCFC

 

[Scum.]

Footwork verses Wimbledon is off in believe. Heavy snow in Fleetwood continuing

Damn shame. Could have seen footwork doing something there, putting those feet to work.

 

[JJ1990]

Newport off, meaning we're now the only remaining fixture.

 

[Cloudy]

The first 10 mins were ok...

I think it's time to say what is the point of Jordan Davies? Our supposed main attacking midfielder signing yet it needs youth Luker to come on and provide the energy, wanting the ball and trying to make things happen.

Was always a tough game for the last of 4 in 12 days and I think Bradford could benefit from kicking their Cook addiction from here on.
If we'd not blown chances and defensively blundered at Accy 9 from 12 would have been a good outcome. Now DA needs to earn his corn working out how to deal with Notts next week.

Were you in the Record Store yesterday by any chance? Town fan with an Irish accent?

 

[Crewelad87]

Marschall
Cooney
JKL
Demetriou
Connolly
Conway
Powell
Sanders
Holicek
Bogle
Lankester

Apparently the team today, which is pretty much what I'd have gone for bar Williams missing, who I'm guessing is still unwell.

 

[gary]

Isn’t it a knock on from those NYD round of games which were played a day later?

Yep all thanks to bloody Sky !!! Bloody ridiculous scheduling. Newport away on Thursday night then Fleetwood away today. Glad it's been postponed.

 

[Kauto Star]

Yesterday was a game between two bang average sides, the difference was that Vale put their chances away and we didn’t. I hate the faffing around at the back which started after the game away at Bradford and has coincided with our loss of form. No point talking about the ref as basically most of them are shite and although we should have had a pen in the second half he wasn’t the reason we lost.

Why did you change to the faffing around at the back after beating us?

I thought you were excellent that day and you are the only team to beat us at Valley Parade in the last 10 months

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Why did you change to the faffing around at the back after beating us?

I thought you were excellent that day and you are the only team to beat us at Valley Parade in the last 10 months

Wish I knew, bloody frustrating

 

[leedsvaliant]

Compare a top flight season to one in the 80s and you will awful. It's a real shock to see the standard when you see a First Division game from early/mid 80s on one of those retro shows. Supposed to show the best of the best

Totally agree if you don't have the players to do it pointless trying, but we and others do.

When you go direct and successful it isn't long ball. When you go direct and you don't execute well and it's unsuccessful it's hoof ball and at it's worse almost not football. It's like advanced Sunday league. I find it so dull, just centre halves battling the big centre forward, midfield largely bypassed and relying on a greater amount of luck.

When passing football is unsuccessful or not executed it's slow, dull and creates nothing. Just be good at you plan.

You are right as really young age groups they are taught the passing approach probably after the FA realised that you can't play the direct get it forward quickly approach at tournaments. It just doesn't work. Then we realised you can't win European trophies at elite level without the ball.

Most clubs won't adopt it, I'm so glad we do. Crowds certainly suggest it's liked at NCFC

I think you do have the players against really poor sides but certainly against us ( who aren't that great) you did a lot of that side to side pointless stuff.

The peak years for the Premier League were probably 95-05. Games were played at real pace. Before that there just wasn't the dedication to fitness, diet and athleticism but there were some very talented players who would not look out of place now. Since that time, the Premier League has become like watching chess....it's so dull. I can't remember the last Premier league game I watched all the way through.

Attendances among a few lower league clubs has increased in recent years (including us), I'm not sure style of play is a reason.

You're right about international football. Because every other nation plays in this manner, you have to match up to it. It doesn't make them exciting though. International tournaments are an absolute snoozefest.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Yesterday was a game between two bang average sides, the difference was that Vale put their chances away and we didn’t. I hate the faffing around at the back which started after the game away at Bradford and has coincided with our loss of form. No point talking about the ref as basically most of them are shite and although we should have had a pen in the second half he wasn’t the reason we lost.

I don't think there'll be a single team in the division who will pick us out as the best team they have played this season. It's very much a Darren Moore tactic to try and keep things tight and then nick a goal. We will never blow teams away. In the last few weeks we have admittedly been below standard but in 3 or 4 of those games, the odd decision going our way could have easily swung it in our direction. I've mentioned before that we remind me of Sheffield Wednesday and Derby from the league above. You'd come away from the game wondering how on earth they were near the top of the league as they looked so average. Yet they still nicked the points from us.

Our first 11 is inferior to quite a few more settled teams but our success will depend on games like yesterday, where we weren't particularly brilliant but just do enough.

 

[Crewelad87]

How we've got Jack Lankester on a 3 year deal is mind blowing. He's playing at a different level when he's been fit. Also massively benefitting from a fit Jack Powell now aswell adds a new dimension to our play.

 

[lordofthepies]

How we've got Jack Lankester on a 3 year deal is mind blowing.

Incredible signing

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

I think you do have the players against really poor sides but certainly against us ( who aren't that great) you did a lot of that side to side pointless stuff.

The peak years for the Premier League were probably 95-05. Games were played at real pace. Before that there just wasn't the dedication to fitness, diet and athleticism but there were some very talented players who would not look out of place now. Since that time, the Premier League has become like watching chess....it's so dull. I can't remember the last Premier league game I watched all the way through.

Attendances among a few lower league clubs has increased in recent years (including us), I'm not sure style of play is a reason.

You're right about international football. Because every other nation plays in this manner, you have to match up to it. It doesn't make them exciting though. International tournaments are an absolute snoozefest.

You were in great form when you played us before your big drop off. Were you top then or close? But yes out style struggles against the better sides especially the ones who are better without the ball. That's what we' got to sort out we openly admit we are flat track bullies.

As for peak Premier League yeah the Ferguson Vs Wenger period and then Mourinho were great. That Chelsea side was the best example I've seen of direct, strong, fast paced football because they had the players to do it.

If you've not seen a full Premier League for a while not sure you can judge. This season and the last few see more goals in Premier League than ever before. Some great games especially if you look outside the top 6.

Attendances have increased for many clubs as you say at this level, style of play isn't a major reason but if you play nice football, score loads of goals as a result and win plenty it surely does help. Not sure many clubs in L2 that have seen a jump in crowds like we have at Notts.

As for international tournaments , it's a personal view obviously, did you watch Italia 90?

 

[Limerick Mariner]

Were you in the Record Store yesterday by any chance? Town fan with an Irish accent?

No - was in the Corn Dolly pre-match. I'm not Irish, the only one in the family that can't get an Irish passport unfortunately - a very useful thing to have. I just worked there. And of course the original Limerick Mariner is Holy Joe Waters, who was born there.

 

[Wootball]

Well that was surprisingly easy.

 

[Crewelad87]

We made very light work of an inform team there. Controlled the game throughout. The fact we can now bring the likes of Tracey, Long and Tabiner off the bench shows the strength of the squad as things stand, and the likes of Lankester after destroying them for an hour can sit and rest for the last 30 mins.

The most comical thing I've seen for while, the Bromley player that got done for 3 foul throws, then got booked for arguing about it and then sent off for tripping Long.

 

[JJ1990]

Bromley looked leggy, but I don't think extra rest would have helped them as we were in the sort of mood that wins you most games at this level. Lankester and Bogle were unplayable, the midfield were controlled and the defence mopped up everything their giants threw at them. 3 games coming up now against the sides in 22nd, 23rd and 19th. It's a big if, but if we can get 9 points from them, we'll be over 50 points and well positioned for a challenge for one of the top 3 spot.

 

[AlanPep]

Well beaten today, best team won. We looked like a team running on post Xmas empty which is exactly why we need to strengthen our squad. Well played Crewe, deserved everything you got today. Really sad Grant is now suspended for our FA Cup trip to Newcastle but self inflicted . . . .

 

[dannyc5]

I think the 1st half was probably our best half of Football this season. We could have scored 5.

The midfield shape was exactly what I've been calling for, and it worked a treat. They controlled the game from start to finish. Not sure why it's taken so long to do it, I guess a mixture of Powell not being fit enough and them not wanting to drop Tabiner.

 

[JJ1990]

Having 2 midfielders who actually wanted to get on the ball made a huge difference. I'm going to sound harsh on Tabiner, but we've carried him for the most part this season. 2 goals and 2 assists despite starting every week is poor. Been outperformed by Holicek, who is a year younger and even Billington, who has barely played this season, matched his season output for assists. He's a ghost and is averaging about 20 touches a game. Just has no feel for the CM position, in or out of possession. Needs a spell on the bench and we need to roll with this midfield trio for a few weeks to see if they can replicate what they showed today.