Newport County v Swindon Town matchday thread

[Nemo]

Even more important is that Holloway needs to be signed up on a longer contract. He has got us where we are now and he will get us promoted!

I totally agree he's improved us dramatically. I'm yet to be convinced he could build a promotion side - hard work and effort are certainly helpful but you usually need a bit of flair to go up. Maybe it's just adapting to where we are now, but he seems to be too wedded to hard working players above all else. Perhaps with a clean slate in summer that changes.

If we did have a real challenge under him, it feels like it would look more like Sturrock than Wellens.

He's earning a go though - just let's not overreact to some wins against bad teams. Harder challenges to come.

Of course, the real reason I doubt we could challenge isn't Holloway, it's the people above him.

[Batch]

Tldr: cautiously optimistic

It's not clear whether we are playing how he'd ultimately want us to play, or more how we need to play right now. So maybe he'll be more dynamic in the future.

But also not seen him build a side yet, which you think he'd be more than capable of, but there were some noises from the Grimsby fans to the contrary.

That's assuming we need to build a new side. Maybe we keep the nucleus of this one.

[Jimmy Quinn]

I like his positivity and the fact that he seems to know what he’s talking about and that he's getting through to the players.

[Peter Venkman]

Solid if uninspiring quality wise win, played as a team and a unit and cant fault them for that at all, a great and much needed 3 points that.

Congrats to Ollie as well as all 15 players that played.

Maybe Bycroft should have held on to the shot or pushed it wide rather than back at the striker (Hightower Jar Jar) but other than that we rarely looked in too much trouble defensively, extra plus point the goal by Westley, cool and calmly taken.

[Peter Venkman]

Blimey dont the Welsh like to moan.

The Swinetown lot on their forum are a deluded bunch, suggesting they’re good enough to get promoted. Joke. Mid-table average side that no one likes, only being saved from relegation by their giant forward. But at least they play to his strengths, there were signs we’d do that last night using 2 proper wingers, just a shame we didn’t think about this back in August.

Newport report.

https://markvickery007.medium.com/another-insipid-2nd-half-as-county-buckle-18a80040e6ed

SWOT ANALYSIS (Swindon Town)

Strengths — they were functional and worked hard collectively upping their work rate after half time. worked some good combinations and kept defensive focus.

Weaknesses — full backs were indecisive first half and second half never looked convincing timing their press. Goalkeeper got rushed into some clearances and handling on goal was questionable.

Opportunities — sat back passively first half but did enough to spin game by pushing up more aggressively and win their first contact. Changed to 3–5–2 which nullified County’s wide play and went more direct second half to force County deeper.

Threats — Smith aerial threat and link play. Drinan runs in behind and Wright directed some good measured passes from deep.

[jayohaitchenn]

It was poor handling by Bycroft, but the bloke ghosted past Cox like he wasn't even there and then rode a very poor / piss weak tackle attempt by Delaney so you could argue it shouldn't even have got to Bycroft in the first place. Still waiting for a better keeper though.

[Nomoreheroes]

Blimey dont the Welsh like to moan.

Newport report.

https://markvickery007.medium.com/another-insipid-2nd-half-as-county-buckle-18a80040e6ed

I don't disagree with that (The SWOT analysis)

[Nemo]

Or that promotion is delusional.

But hey, it's nice to be able to delude ourselves, we've been miserable for fucking ages.

[Jimmy Quinn]

It’s nice just to see progression on the pitch.

[Frigby Daser]

I totally agree he's improved us dramatically. I'm yet to be convinced he could build a promotion side - hard work and effort are certainly helpful but you usually need a bit of flair to go up. Maybe it's just adapting to where we are now, but he seems to be too wedded to hard working players above all else. Perhaps with a clean slate in summer that changes.

If we did have a real challenge under him, it feels like it would look more like Sturrock than Wellens.

He's earning a go though - just let's not overreact to some wins against bad teams. Harder challenges to come.

Of course, the real reason I doubt we could challenge isn't Holloway, it's the people above him.

I think that’s pragmatism to get us out of this spot. His teams of old always had creative and/or players in too. I took a look at some of his squads down the years - after a couple of years once he had shaped what he had to work with. At QPR, he had a midfield the centred around Martin Rowlands, and he had Gareth Ainsworth wide as well. At Blackpool in 2011 he had Matt Phillips and Tom Ince. So he isn’t against that type of player - maybe he just needs the summer. He’s always had steely midfielders too - and it’s a refreshing change. This time last year, we were crying out for one, and now our midfield 3 has two proper combative players, and one bitey one in Kilkenny.

[RedRag]

Tldr: cautiously optimistic

It's not clear whether we are playing how he'd ultimately want us to play, or more how we need to play right now. So maybe he'll be more dynamic in the future.

But also not seen him build a side yet, which you think he'd be more than capable of, but there were some noises from the Grimsby fans to the contrary.

That's assuming we need to build a new side. Maybe we keep the nucleus of this one.

I've been under the impression that his managerial "failure" at Grimsby may not have occurred had he avoided mixing it with an ownership role.  He may have been out of date arriving here but he undoubtedly knows professional football and seems to have been an effective coach and motivator.

[Peter Venkman]

It was poor handling by Bycroft, but the bloke ghosted past Cox like he wasn't even there and then rode a very poor / piss weak tackle attempt by Delaney so you could argue it shouldn't even have got to Bycroft in the first place. Still waiting for a better keeper though.

Cox had a poor game for me, off the pace most of the game. As for Bycroft there is a bid in for a keeper in L1 thats been accepted apparently, just down to the player now if he wants to come or not I hear.

[Berniman]

Blimey dont the Welsh like to moan.

Newport report.

https://markvickery007.medium.com/another-insipid-2nd-half-as-county-buckle-18a80040e6ed

I don't disagree with any of that, including that the Welsh like to moan given the tantrums from their fans last night.

This squad is not capable of promotion, in terms of league position and quality.  Great to see Hollaway getting a necessary tune out of them though and long may it continue this season.  Get ourselves safe and then allow Holloway to build on the standouts, then we can start talking about having a team capable of promotion.

[iParadise]

Cox had a poor game for me, off the pace most of the game. As for Bycroft there is a bid in for a keeper in L1 thats been accepted apparently, just down to the player now if he wants to come or not I hear.

We're actually spending money! A transfer fee! God almighty!

I can't even remember the last time we owned a solid keeper.

[Peter Venkman]

We're actually spending money! A transfer fee! God almighty!

I didnt say it was for a fee TBH I dont know if its a perm or a loan.