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I can honestly say that I've been waiting for Saturday to come since the final whistle last week.

So common sense would suggest that Jardim chooses a 'same again' 11 for the game. But was the change to a back 5 merely an attempt to contain Doncaster last week and is Jardim expecting a similar challenge from Accrington? Of course the same 11 could still feature but Brennan, Baker or McLoughlin could be pushed into midfield.

I'm fairly sure that Morris will start on the bench and figure in the second half. Perhaps Keiron Evans will do similar at the expense of either Cameron Evans or Nathan Wood. Greaves will possibly be on the bench instead of Rai or Jephcott.

Should be an interesting watch. As I said to my older sister on the bus to the game last week 'there are likely to be goals' but the question is will County put in a similar (or better) performance from last week. Some consistency of performance is needed this season and hopefully greater rotation of players. I don't really want to see County players playing on fumes alone, which it seemed they were doing towards the end of last season. I'm happy with the possibilities of the squad (if they live up to their potential) but think County either need someone similar to CBR, in case of injury, or train someone within the squad to play that role should injury require them to do.

That's interesting. There was a time when the mantra that you should never change a winning team was commonly heard. These days though football has become a squad game of fifteen v fifteen, rather than eleven be eleven. When was the last time any of us heard the term tactical substitution?

I'm an old man. Stuck in my ways. Football should be eleven v eleven with one sub. It should kick off at three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Half time should last ten minutes. Referees and players boots should be black. Goalkeepers should wear green jerseys. And advertising hording should be neither electrical or capable of movement.

Those were the days Stan, love it!

But of course, County always kicked off at 3.15pm.
Also, the half-times given against letters on the boards around the pitch which you matched in the programme.
Yes Stan, the good old days indeed.

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be

Mid- week games on a Thursday afternoon, and the old Welsh league in progress, happy days.

Gutted for Whitmore

Didn't see the game so would be interested in the views of those who did. I always used to think that Flynn and Edinburgh were similar as managers in that they were good at setting up a team but struggled to make changes and struggled especially to be creative at half time. You could set your watch by the timing of Justin Edinburgh's and Michael Flynn's substitutions. However two weeks running now Newport seem to have improved after half time.

Is the new manager making minor tactical alterations or is it simply that players ate just playing better in the second half? As I say I'd be interested in and grateful for your views.

Ugo. wrote:Morris in for Whitmore.

Whitmore out injured. Apparently told someone at the game that he's out until November.

Someone said on Twitter/X that he was out until November.

Thought there were similarities between this week and last week, in that County were the poorer team first half but possibly better second half.

The five at back didn't really work this week, usual complaint that within a back four players often know their roles, sometimes I think as a five players get confused as to whether it's their ball or the guy standing beside them. The goal-kick routine needs to be binned immediately because that's a succession of disasters waiting to happen. Perhaps Townsend needs to work on a chip shot out so that instead of the opposition CB winning the ball all game, one of our guys just instead our half can win it. Second half there seemed to be a change to four at the back with McLoughlin pushed into midfield and Baker coming across to right back, which seemed better.

Last week the midfield three worked well, but with Whitfield out and Morris in the three this week seemed too similar (and sometimes going for the same ball). Cameron Evans had a decent cameo when he replaced Morris, but by that time it was no longer a three but a four, so difficult to say whether he's work as part of that three in midfield.

CBR did what CBR does, but isn't really tall enough to compete with taller CB's, so a variation in attack is needed. Kamwa is a typical winger, not really a support striker and, as last week, was in and out of the game. He looks very quick, has loads of skill but isn't match fit as yet.

So, much to like, some improvements to make, and possibly Jardim is still trying to work out the balance in the side and combinations. But you can't sniff at two 3-1 wins at home...

bonson&hunt wrote:Gutted for Whitmore

I've seen him twice this season (Barry pre-season and last week). Both times I thought he had a decent performance. It's disappointing but it gives someone else an opportunity to prove themselves. And when he comes back he'll be busting a gut to get back in the team. So perhaps the midfield is going to be an area of strength this season. It's about time it was, because it's been an area of weakness for too many seasons...

Yesterday certainly played out as a 'game of two halves'. First half we restricted them to just the one goal and managed a streaky one ourselves. CBR was mostly ineffective, but the very strong end to end wind was dictating play throughout. I expect a turn around in our fortunes and we got it. Kamwa gave their right back a torrid time and there was a much improved showing from Baker and Wildig. We still needed a couple of excellent saves from Townsend, but it's clear there is a fighting spirit in this squad.