BFTG - Newport County (H)

[Martin41]

Average game, not too bad a turnout.
Ratings.... Probably for me all about a 7, except Blackman...8, every time I see him, I'm more impressed.
Only other different ratings for me.
Hector 5/6 might be decent as c/b not midfield for me, surprised someone gave him motm!!!
Taylor, every time I have seen him, I fail to see what he offers. Was pretty obscure last night, did not seem to know where or what he should be doing. I think he started out wide, but just kept coming back in, bet some of you wish we still had Jobi now!!! For me, unless he improves quickly, does not warrant a place. So a 5 at best for last night.

Onwards to sat now. I'm convinced the performance will be much better, it has to be.........

[Tilehurstsouthbank]

Average game, not too bad a turnout.
Ratings.... Probably for me all about a 7, except Blackman...8, every time I see him, I'm more impressed.
Only other different ratings for me.
Hector 5/6 might be decent as c/b not midfield for me, surprised someone gave him motm!!!

Guess it's all down to interpretation. A lot of our fans have made up their mind that he's not capable of playing CM, so will automatically just focus on any negative aspects of his performance. It's known as 'Nick Blackman syndrome'.

[loyalroyal4life]

It's a win in a competition that is not a priority, We move on


Anyone got a link to highlights/goals from the game?

[sandman]

Mccarthy - Couple of good saves. Distribution woeful including when he dwelt on the ball so long that he was very close to losing it. 6

Gunter - Solid 7
Pearce/ Morro - strong when defending don't look comfortable on the ball with McCarthy there. 7
Cummings - Did all that was asked of him. 6

Blackman - Offered a threat when the ball was given to him particularly 2nd half, took his goal well, should have scored more. 7.5
Hector - Not a midfielder. 5
Obita - Also not a centre midfielder looked better out wide. 6
Taylor - Another out of position tried his best but didn't get into the game properly. 6
Cox - another who tried hard but struggled to get in the game. 6

Pog - Motm. Well taken goal, a few nice touches and really unsettled their defence. 8

Subs:
Akpan - unlucky not to score, gave us a better balance. 7

Edwards - not much time to make an impact chased a few lost causes. 6

Tanner - Took the goal well. Other than that not much time. 7

[Brum Royal]

After the energetic and zippy performance at Wigan, this was definitely a second gear performance. We looked good when we played short passes and on several occasions played our way up or across the pitch using neat triangles. Too often we tried to play a Hollywood pass which was usually overhit and sailed out of play, or lost possession. Newport were clearly more up for this then we were, as their dominant spell in the opening twenty minutes proved, but the main difference being that we had the extra little bit of quality up top (Pog, Cox and Blackman) to take our chances when they came along, whereas Newport wasted a couple of good ones.

I wrote in the BFTG thread on the Wigan game that the huge gap in left midfield is an area of concern, and the same could be said about last night, although without Guthrie coming on to push Obita wide we didn't have that balance we had for the last 30 mins at the DW. I'm not convinced by Obita as a central midfielder, and certainly as our only(?) fit left footed player currently it seems odd that he's not played on the left (either left wing or left back) and that we are hamstringing ourselves in the process. Guthrie I presume is being rested ahead of Saturday, after having virtually zero pre-season.

As for some of the other players: Hector not as good as Saturday, I'm still yet to be convinced by Akpan (not a h8r though), Feds showing why Adkins favours him after AMac's very uneasy game with the ball at his feet, Pog and Cox look to be forming a decent understanding already.

Biggest plus from last night: It was nowhere near as bad as the Peterborough debacle I endured this time last season.

[Royal Biscuitman]

Sat in the East stand for this game (only)
If anyone that needs reminding of the devastating effect two world wars have had on Readings gene pool the east stand concourse is worth a visit.
The only stand at the Madstad where the bar staff are actually sharper than the punters.

Have to agree with that. It certainly is different to the Norff and the West!

#Westisbest

[Nameless]

The referee needs a rule book - If the last man commits a foul it is a straight red

What rule book is that in?

Jeez , there should be a Fit and Proper Persons test for fans !

First off there are no 'rules' in football, there are Laws. Minor point...
Secondly how can any one think that a foul by the 'last man' is a red card ! I know the idiots on the TV think it is, but the they generally have no idea of the laws of the game that gives them a very comfortable lifestyle.

The law in question says that if a defender commits a foul which deprives the attacking team of a clear goal scoring opportunity then a red card applies. There are various considerations,, including position on the field, direction of play, control of the ball and position of covering players. Just because you are the last defender does NOT mean a foul = a red card.
Last night Pog was fouled by the last man, there were no,other defenders going to get close to hi. The issue for me was that he didn't have control of the ball. It was quite a way ahead of him and he'd have been running towards the corner flag rather than the goal. There was a good chance the keeper would have got to it before him. But it was a very close call, and I don't think the ref would have been wrong to show a red, just as he wasn't wrong to not show one. I think natural justice demanded a rd as the intent of the defender was clearly to stop Pog having a chance to score but that's not really how decisions should be made.
So not a clear cut decision, but I just wish people would take the trouble to understand the Laws. They are really simple compared to most sports.

[Royal Biscuitman]

I wasn't overly impressed with the levels of entertainment, suddenly I had flashbacks to Reading v Peterborough twice in the Cup and the stadium atmosphere was dire, particularly the North Stand who were unusually quiet, even the drummer couldn't be bothered to bang away! (No doubt the dry/warm armchair fans will disagree based on what they heard on the radio).

I then remembered, Our entire (in my opinion) first choice midfield was injured/missing, with the possible exception of Obita depending on whether you think our best side is with him as left back or left wing. I think we missed some pace down the wings, even though Obita was playing and Pog was playing too deep at times now that Cox is the number 10 and he is presumably taking the number 9 role previously performed by Le Fondre.

[Royal Biscuitman]

There are various considerations,, including position on the field, direction of play, control of the ball and position of covering players.

Do you think Ref's take into account the pace and skill of the attacking player and opposition keeper? - A slow attacker may not get to the ball before the keeper whereas a fast one might.... not sure the law book covers that.

[chilipepper91]

Average game, not too bad a turnout.
Ratings.... Probably for me all about a 7, except Blackman...8, every time I see him, I'm more impressed.
Only other different ratings for me.
Hector 5/6 might be decent as c/b not midfield for me, surprised someone gave him motm!!!

Guess it's all down to interpretation. A lot of our fans have made up their mind that he's not capable of playing CM, so will automatically just focus on any negative aspects of his performance. It's known as 'Nick Blackman syndrome'.

It's known as "home grown syndrome" - if Hope Akpan had put that performance in on here he'd be getting 3s all round. Sounding like a broken record but I really don't see how Hector is significantly better than Akpan, though you know, he came through the youth so he gets double points, whilst Akpan was an emergency Prem signing who didn't work out so he's crap.

[winchester_royal]

Average game, not too bad a turnout.
Ratings.... Probably for me all about a 7, except Blackman...8, every time I see him, I'm more impressed.
Only other different ratings for me.
Hector 5/6 might be decent as c/b not midfield for me, surprised someone gave him motm!!!

Guess it's all down to interpretation. A lot of our fans have made up their mind that he's not capable of playing CM, so will automatically just focus on any negative aspects of his performance. It's known as 'Nick Blackman syndrome'.

Not true at all. I thought he was excellent there on Saturday, and said as much, but last night he was awful. Constantly out of position, lost the ball countless times, and along with Obita managed to lose all control of the midfield to a League 2 side. The difference that having a genuine CM playing in his natural position was highlighted by the upgrade in performance on Saturday when Guthrie came on.

Hector's the type of player of who's prone to inconsistency anyway, so no surprise that is exaggerated when playing out of position.

[glass half full]

Quick fire summary.

I am a Hector can but he had a shocker tonight.

Back 4 looked solid and impressed. Shame to concede late goal.

McCarthy kicking and control is no better. Poor again from him. Federici is number 1 at mo for sure.

Sat in lower west tonight... Won't be going back. Adkins surprised me from dugout.... Very animated and also irritated with his players at times.

Hats off to Newport County fans. Good number and decent noise.

Oh and Sassima, thanks for the wave and blown kiss. Appreciated.

[glass half full]

Quick fire summary.

I am a Hector can but he had a shocker tonight.

Back 4 looked solid and impressed. Shame to concede late goal.

McCarthy kicking and control is no better. Poor again from him. Federici is number 1 at mo for sure.

Sat in lower west tonight... Won't be going back. Adkins surprised me from dugout.... Very animated and also irritated with his players at times.

Hats off to Newport County fans. Good number and decent noise.

Oh and Sassima, thanks for the wave and blown kiss. Appreciated.

Football Manager shows passion shock.

[Ian Royal]

Soms hilarously different views of the game in this thread.

[SPARTA]

I thought we were terrible for the most part. A very frustrating performance. McCarthy's kicking is terrible, Hector passed it out of play at least twice, and why does he shoot the fecking ball when he's passing it? Calm down, bit of composure, and move the ball around within your ability. Cut out the over-ambitious passes that will cost us in the Championship. Pog took his goal well, Cox looked bright and wanted the ball, Blackman as well, but in general I thought we lacked a lot of quality out there and no one looks composed in possession. If we play like that against Ipswich then it's an easy three points for them. I was bored out of my tits and left 15 minutes early and missed what sounds like the better end of the game. Pleased for Tanner!! He's going to be a big player for us.

Special mention to the Newport number 2. Excellent player and should be stepping up a level at least.

[M Brook]

Guess it's all down to interpretation. A lot of our fans have made up their mind that he's not capable of playing CM'.

Well if they hadn't before, they certainly will based on last night's performance!

[floyd__streete]

our only fit central midfielder sits on the bench while a centre half and a left back/winger play in his position. How did anyone ever get the idea that Obita can play there, he has none of the skill set?

What is worse, Obita's worse performance by far and away was his showing in centre mid during our utter thrashing during one of our biggest games of last season, Bournemouth away.

Adkins isn't a very quick learner, so it seems.

[Martin41]

I'm not saying Hector is awful, just that for me c/m is not his position. Not his fault he is being told to play there.
Would like to see him given a run in defence. Hey I might be surprised and he will becom a c/m and make the position his own.

[Royal Biscuitman]

Someone from the Eaststand was telling me "it all kicked off between home and away fans after the game, I'll tell you about it later".....did anyone see this or could he be over exaggerating, maybe an away fan bumped into a Reading fan and caused him to drop a wurthers original or something.

[Royal Lady]

Someone from the Eaststand was telling me "it all kicked off between home and away fans after the game, I'll tell you about it later".....did anyone see this or could he be over exaggerating, maybe an away fan bumped into a Reading fan and caused him to drop a wurthers original or something.

Newport fans were gesturing by the gate after the game apparently. Dunno if there was any fighting. Somehow doubt it.