| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale 17:00 - Aug 13 with 34306 views | RochdaleAFC.com |
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| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 17:34 - Aug 15 with 3831 views | D_Alien |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 17:20 - Aug 15 by jonahwhereru |
Oh dear the only thing that went right for me today was that Sky+ was constantly buffering. Saw about 45 seconds of the game. A blessed relief.
Watched the highlights which was basically Bilongo getting sent off. Listened to the post match interview, worrying. I once worked for a manager who when an issue was raised would say “I’ll deal with that”. Without having a grasp the situation or considered any solutions. Maybe IW is related to him. Got no sense of embarrassment about the performance and, Nothing at all about letting down the travelling fans. That can’t be right.
My refrain in the off season was the need to recruit solid experienced players at the EFL . Today has re enforced that view. How does a team go from a never say die winning mentality to not winning any game so far this season. Some people need to stand up and be counted in the dressing room and on the pitch. Josh Lillis could have a significant role here. If he is willing and allowed to stick his hand up.
Was going to travel up for the return of EFL football to Spotland, but not sure I fancy the journey when currently I have little hope or expectation.
Come on lads lift us all up next Saturday. |
That's probably unfair on Watson, and your previous experience with a manager using that line isn't relevant
Also, we beat Tranmere, on penalties i.e. the same result we achieved at Wembley, and don't recall anyone not calling that "a win"
Looks like we've gone backwards from that game; however, both Hayes and Pettit played and aren't now available, leaving us looking unbalanced, short of experience and playing a forward line with little service and at least one player who doesn't fit into any position the manager can conjure for him
These aren't excuses particularly for lack of fight today (we fought back at Tranmere) but the right to the benefit of the doubt is a long way from being conceded by our new manager [Post edited 15 Aug 17:35]
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| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 18:03 - Aug 15 with 3649 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 17:22 - Aug 15 by somdale |
Its a new season in a higher division, every club has had a pre seaaon and every club will start by believing they have a chance, its only at kick off do you realy found out, and this will have been a massive shock to the club.
Not a single positive, the club are on such a high atm, but that will dissapear quickly and the away support will fade, its an expensive hobby and you cant expect fans to witness that sort of performance too often.
So Watsons honeymoon period is over and he need to act very quickley to make the team at least look like they can play.
What we witnessed today was the Dale of 4 or 5 years ago.
It is only one game, but there was nothing to suggest any hopes of a fast forward team who will excite and give everything.
Keeper was miles off and after Whatmuff last season it makes this one look even worse. The CBs were awful, the stupid passibg amongat the back 4 gives false impressions when you read the stats, so much non football being played.
East and Gilmour, have they found their level, today looked too much for them both.
Rodney is just not good enough, awful distribtion and not much else.
Mani looked uninterested and though he was fighting a lost cause, he never actually fought for that cause.
I thought Bilongp first half was our best player.
Second half was so easy for Newport, and though we looked a bit better ww still didnt threaten them.
Things can only get better, has to be the hope, or it could be the longeat season yet. |
You want big characters in your dressing room, leaders. I didn't see any today. The defending was abysmal, the first goal was pub football defending and goalkeeping, so was the second goal. EEL looks like he could trip over his feet at anytime, never mind control, move forward and pass the ball. Rodney's not even looking interested, never mind breaking sweat. Billongo did some good things today but his play is very erratic. He didn't command a starting place in the NL under McNulty so why the sudden elevation? Just clearing their lines was beyond some of them, straight to their players on the edge of the penalty box. No power, energy or fight.
Too many players are at their most comfortable taking the easy option and off loading the balls sidewards or backwards, it's their first thought process rather than driving forward or playing a forward pass. Gilmour and East did that a lot, passing just for the sake of it, lacking in creativity and not being brave. Mani D simply isnt getting any service, he thrives on that, we know what he's like in front of goal. Not one shot on target all game, everybody involved today should be embarrassed at that statistic. The fans badly let down by the players and the management team.
A repeat of todays performance will shine the spotlight not only on the players but also on the manager. It's not that we lost, that was the worst opening day performance i've ever seen from a Rochdale team and that's not a over reaction. |  | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 18:20 - Aug 15 with 3536 views | SaxonDale |
I think one of the things that concerned the most is despite our possession, I can’t remember any real decent passages of play and I’ve yet to see a performance under IW where we seem to have any reasonable control of the game. The first half really was absolutely awful- as bad as we were in the season we went down. Newport completely dominated and the few breaks we had we seemed outnumbered and I couldn’t really see what the plan was. For all the criticisms Jim got for style at times, I always felt we tried to control games and there was a clear plan in place- I couldn’t see either today. I’ve said before about the formation- and I know some disagree, but I think IW will have the decision taken out of his hands 10 games in if performances and results don’t improve. |  | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 18:47 - Aug 15 with 3361 views | Edindale |
Having listened to IW post match interview I was slightly encouraged that he acknowledged the performance was 'unacceptable' cant happen again and he did not want to 'paper over the cracks.' I really hope that he can turn this around but there are nagging doubts on his judgement regarding 'physicality' and I certainly wouldn't wait 10 games.
I watched some of the York v Bristol Rovers game and that was on a different planet to our game with so much fluidity and attacking intent. Both those sides would have beaten us easily to-day and showed a much superior level of technical ability.
We have limited options for next week but was wondering if Sam Waller would give us more solidity at set pieces and whether Gilmour and East would benefit from a holding player in the midfield. The team needs to play further up the park and into the final third.
Hoping to get to the COA next week for EFL action as tis is a time when the team and management need our support. Crawley narrowly lost to-day after having two sent off but I am hopeful we can put to-day's nightmare behind us and get a result.
UTD. | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:03 - Aug 15 with 3273 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 18:20 - Aug 15 by SaxonDale |
I think one of the things that concerned the most is despite our possession, I can’t remember any real decent passages of play and I’ve yet to see a performance under IW where we seem to have any reasonable control of the game. The first half really was absolutely awful- as bad as we were in the season we went down. Newport completely dominated and the few breaks we had we seemed outnumbered and I couldn’t really see what the plan was. For all the criticisms Jim got for style at times, I always felt we tried to control games and there was a clear plan in place- I couldn’t see either today. I’ve said before about the formation- and I know some disagree, but I think IW will have the decision taken out of his hands 10 games in if performances and results don’t improve. |
Let's hope it doesn't come to that. You could see the goals coming today, at no time did we have control of the game and we didn't create one chance. As some said when the new manager was appointed, those running the club have decided what style of footbal they want us to play but it ultimately means nothing if you aren't winning football matches. It's putting the chicken before the egg, the only thing that matters is staying in this league because if we dont the plans for the Academy go up in smoke again. You can't project into the future you have to look after the here and now. The priority was to recruit properly for this league and get us ready for the opening league game. Today has been a disaster and the close season has been chaotic.
The warning signs were there against Halifax last month when we conceded three goals at home, today was probably worse, clueless from start to finish. An experienced manager, well versed with this league, used to recruiting players at this level, knows what it takes to win games, respected by the players. That's not a gamble to recruit somebody like that for your first season back in the EFL, steady the ship while you sort out the academy etc. It doesn't have to be a long term apoointment, look at that when the clubs found it's feet. Instead we've gone down the inexperienced route and also have a injury list the length of your arm and players signed who aren't fit to play.
I also question if the Chairman have enough experience to be recruiting a manager and setting out what style of football they want, neither have a background in football. It's naive to suggest only one style of football can be successful. Watson said we will be playing a style of football which will be different to the other teams in this league; well he was certainly true to his word today after watching that stuff. Maybe a Director of football wouldn't be a bad thing, somebody who has spent their life in football as a player and manager who is well connected. [Post edited 15 Aug 19:31]
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| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:12 - Aug 15 with 3200 views | EllDale |
Perhaps today was the massive wake-up call that was needed.
On a par with the 3-0 loss to Leyton Orient in 1969.
The most glaring thing to my mind is that Gordon, such a component for the last couple of years, hasn’t been replaced adequately unless Wilson is going to be the solution here.
If not, give Moss a go there instead of Tobi who has spent the last few seasons shuttling up and down as a wingback. Or instead of Edwards who seems to have taken the p1ss over the close season.
Gordon was two players in one given his attacking and creative ability as well as his defensive proficiency, curling those channel balls down the line. East in particular seems to miss him.
OK I get that injuries haven’t helped. Jenkins was signed to do a job at number 10 and there doesn’t seem to be an obvious replacement.
Beckwith and Pettit are other huge losses but we don’t really know where they were visualised as fitting into the grand scheme of things.
Poor old Rodney is getting a lot of stick but he hasn’t consistently performed to his full potential since the second half of the season before last. Where do you play to maximise his talent?
And we’re always going to be vulnerable to crosses when we have wingbacks playing at fullback and so many forward thinking players.
There’s a lot for messrs Watson and Magnay to ponder tonight on the ride back up the A1. There’s no need to press the panic button immediately but we can’t have a repetition of today next week. [Post edited 15 Aug 19:14]
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| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:13 - Aug 15 with 3191 views | frenzied |
We looked like a team of players who had only met last night.
The defending at times was of the keystone cops variety.
Some of our National league stalwarts look well out of their depth.
We were well beaten by a very average. Newport side | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:15 - Aug 15 with 3181 views | Newbury_Dale |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:12 - Aug 15 by EllDale |
Perhaps today was the massive wake-up call that was needed.
On a par with the 3-0 loss to Leyton Orient in 1969.
The most glaring thing to my mind is that Gordon, such a component for the last couple of years, hasn’t been replaced adequately unless Wilson is going to be the solution here.
If not, give Moss a go there instead of Tobi who has spent the last few seasons shuttling up and down as a wingback. Or instead of Edwards who seems to have taken the p1ss over the close season.
Gordon was two players in one given his attacking and creative ability as well as his defensive proficiency, curling those channel balls down the line. East in particular seems to miss him.
OK I get that injuries haven’t helped. Jenkins was signed to do a job at number 10 and there doesn’t seem to be an obvious replacement.
Beckwith and Pettit are other huge losses but we don’t really know where they were visualised as fitting into the grand scheme of things.
Poor old Rodney is getting a lot of stick but he hasn’t consistently performed to his full potential since the second half of the season before last. Where do you play to maximise his talent?
And we’re always going to be vulnerable to crosses when we have wingbacks playing at fullback and so many forward thinking players.
There’s a lot for messrs Watson and Magnay to ponder tonight on the ride back up the A1. There’s no need to press the panic button immediately but we can’t have a repetition of today next week. [Post edited 15 Aug 19:14]
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Presumably Edwards has already left the club or is on trial somewhere? Agree with the sentiments though he obviously doesn't want to be here. | | | |
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| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:15 - Aug 15 with 3182 views | pioneer |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 14:42 - Aug 15 by dawlishdale |
Almost 70%possession today and no shots on target suggests exactly what we just witnessed. The team seems happy to pass sideways and backwards but not willing to run forward with the ball.
If ever you wanted an object lesson in how to deflate everyone's confidence I'd say today comes very close.
As I said at half time, that's as bad as I can remember on opening day during 55 seasons. |
Interesting you say 55 years…today brought back memories, bad ones, of opening day 55 years ago in the old division 3. 4-0 loss at Notts County…with a sending off ( the first time we had a man sent off on opening day IIRC) A completely woeful display with a new formation on defence that looked clueless and an attack that was toothless.
Came home thinking it must get better…and it did …marginally. Went unbeaten in first 7 home games but winless in first seven away and finished 18th.
Crede signo. | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:19 - Aug 15 with 3151 views | robshaker |
usually... newly promoted non league sides to the EFL have a good day on the season opener and kick on with full mementom not the case here, i wonder how many previous non leaguers have had such an abysimal first game in the EFL?? maybe one for TVOS to delve into the archives. your manager watkins needs to pull his finger out.
btw 3600+ at the old girl today. | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:22 - Aug 15 with 3116 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 18:20 - Aug 15 by SaxonDale |
I think one of the things that concerned the most is despite our possession, I can’t remember any real decent passages of play and I’ve yet to see a performance under IW where we seem to have any reasonable control of the game. The first half really was absolutely awful- as bad as we were in the season we went down. Newport completely dominated and the few breaks we had we seemed outnumbered and I couldn’t really see what the plan was. For all the criticisms Jim got for style at times, I always felt we tried to control games and there was a clear plan in place- I couldn’t see either today. I’ve said before about the formation- and I know some disagree, but I think IW will have the decision taken out of his hands 10 games in if performances and results don’t improve. |
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| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:28 - Aug 15 with 3072 views | AndyH |
I won't sugarcoat my opinion. I have seen enough this season to say that Watson isn't our man. Don't leave it as long this time, Simon. | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:45 - Aug 15 with 2966 views | finberty |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:12 - Aug 15 by EllDale |
Perhaps today was the massive wake-up call that was needed.
On a par with the 3-0 loss to Leyton Orient in 1969.
The most glaring thing to my mind is that Gordon, such a component for the last couple of years, hasn’t been replaced adequately unless Wilson is going to be the solution here.
If not, give Moss a go there instead of Tobi who has spent the last few seasons shuttling up and down as a wingback. Or instead of Edwards who seems to have taken the p1ss over the close season.
Gordon was two players in one given his attacking and creative ability as well as his defensive proficiency, curling those channel balls down the line. East in particular seems to miss him.
OK I get that injuries haven’t helped. Jenkins was signed to do a job at number 10 and there doesn’t seem to be an obvious replacement.
Beckwith and Pettit are other huge losses but we don’t really know where they were visualised as fitting into the grand scheme of things.
Poor old Rodney is getting a lot of stick but he hasn’t consistently performed to his full potential since the second half of the season before last. Where do you play to maximise his talent?
And we’re always going to be vulnerable to crosses when we have wingbacks playing at fullback and so many forward thinking players.
There’s a lot for messrs Watson and Magnay to ponder tonight on the ride back up the A1. There’s no need to press the panic button immediately but we can’t have a repetition of today next week. [Post edited 15 Aug 19:14]
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If they're coming up the A1 from Newport they're even more directionless than I thought. |  | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:49 - Aug 15 with 2946 views | ArthurDaley |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 12:25 - Aug 15 by Yorkshire_Dale |
A Rodney goal at Rodney Parade anyone? |
Rodney couldn't score in a brothel |  |
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| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:51 - Aug 15 with 2938 views | EllDale |
I meant that they’ll be going up the A1 from Rochdale to the northeast. | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 21:09 - Aug 15 with 2546 views | beat_the_bishop |
A bad day. We will have them, this one has come at the worst time.
People need to keep calm. Remember losing to Ebbsfleet in our NL opener? The world was caving in then.
Calling for the managers head after 1 competitive league game, and two cup games (which felt bizarre before they began) is just madness. We are better than that! McNulty wasn’t an experienced manager, and signed some players that worked and some that didn’t. Today was a Brackley away horror show, morecambe at home horror show. It’s easy to forget because we ended up promoted but we were 15 seconds away from playing Hornchurch and McNulty probably being sacked for throwing away our buffer at the top of the table towards the end.
I am sure Ian Watsons journey home today was a long one and he will want to put it right. I suspect the players will too. He has left his home town, a team on the up and knocking on the door of the NL to join us. He will be hungry to make this stick and we need to allow to do it.
Newport away this season will be the equivalent of Tamworth away last season. They aren’t great but today was about us. We simply didn’t show up and the three goals were a complete demonstration of this.
We need our strongest 11 urgently. And as fans, remembering what our role is. Chalk this off now and see how to go on Saturday at home. I suspect we will get a reaction and for me, less bothered about the result and more bothered about a performance to provide some comfort we can control games at this level.
It’s not popular on here I but for me the tipping point this year will be the midfield. I don’t believe East and Gilmour are at this level. And Rodney certainly isn’t. We need a Gary Jones and finding one is like rocking horse… |  | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 21:25 - Aug 15 with 2466 views | NorthernDale |
Today we were shocking, no structure, I am baffled at what system we played and in all honesty we looked like an average non-league team. I think we have capable players, but they look confused and rudderless, against a poor Newport team. Watson's lack of knowledge may cost us, he may suggest that we will learn from the mistakes, but I fear we have appointed a new Eyre or Stockdale, I pray I am wrong.
This down to Ian and nobody else, as mention the team selection was baffling, did we play 442, was it 433, but we struggled to have a shot on target. Even worse, we were our own worse enemy, our pedestrian style would not out of place in an over 50 league, we were so slow with the ball, Newport constantly mugged us and we as a result constantly lost the ball. It did not help, by constantly backing back, instead of going forward. Based on today's performance, it may be worth getting a few quid on relegation, because we looked that bad.
Ramming needs to be dropped, he looks a liability, his lack of movement for the first two goals was poor, he failed to react and his dithering nearly cost us a third goal in the first half, when he was caught with the ball. I like TAR, but he is not a defender and I am sure about EEL and Sherring at CD. Mani looks lightweight at this level, I would use Rodney in the central role, he was wasted on the wing, but showed that he can be pushed off the ball, like Mani. We also wide open in midfield and I would be tempted to go with three midfielders and one up front.
The one positive was Bilongo, who I thought, was our best player, prior to his sending off by a poor referee, who was to easily influenced by the Newport's players whining from start to finish for free kicks and decisions in their favour. | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 21:29 - Aug 15 with 2417 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 21:09 - Aug 15 by beat_the_bishop |
A bad day. We will have them, this one has come at the worst time.
People need to keep calm. Remember losing to Ebbsfleet in our NL opener? The world was caving in then.
Calling for the managers head after 1 competitive league game, and two cup games (which felt bizarre before they began) is just madness. We are better than that! McNulty wasn’t an experienced manager, and signed some players that worked and some that didn’t. Today was a Brackley away horror show, morecambe at home horror show. It’s easy to forget because we ended up promoted but we were 15 seconds away from playing Hornchurch and McNulty probably being sacked for throwing away our buffer at the top of the table towards the end.
I am sure Ian Watsons journey home today was a long one and he will want to put it right. I suspect the players will too. He has left his home town, a team on the up and knocking on the door of the NL to join us. He will be hungry to make this stick and we need to allow to do it.
Newport away this season will be the equivalent of Tamworth away last season. They aren’t great but today was about us. We simply didn’t show up and the three goals were a complete demonstration of this.
We need our strongest 11 urgently. And as fans, remembering what our role is. Chalk this off now and see how to go on Saturday at home. I suspect we will get a reaction and for me, less bothered about the result and more bothered about a performance to provide some comfort we can control games at this level.
It’s not popular on here I but for me the tipping point this year will be the midfield. I don’t believe East and Gilmour are at this level. And Rodney certainly isn’t. We need a Gary Jones and finding one is like rocking horse… |
The evidence up to now is that the defence is the tipping point, we've played seven or eight fixtures now including pre-season and would have had to score 3 or 4 goals in each of them to win the game, we're not giving ourselves a chance. We have enough good midfield players in the club, all of them are capable and we signed another last week. [Post edited 15 Aug 21:39]
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| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 21:46 - Aug 15 with 2328 views | beat_the_bishop |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 21:29 - Aug 15 by TalkingSutty |
The evidence up to now is that the defence is the tipping point, we've played seven or eight fixtures now including pre-season and would have had to score 3 or 4 goals in each of them to win the game, we're not giving ourselves a chance. We have enough good midfield players in the club, all of them are capable and we signed another last week. [Post edited 15 Aug 21:39]
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We started shipping goals last season when we stopped winning the midfield battle. The backline is an issue and I acknowledge that. But when you have the nobody in front of you doing the basics right either it’s an uphill battle. | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 22:04 - Aug 15 with 2263 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 21:46 - Aug 15 by beat_the_bishop |
We started shipping goals last season when we stopped winning the midfield battle. The backline is an issue and I acknowledge that. But when you have the nobody in front of you doing the basics right either it’s an uphill battle. |
That's the problem, not one aspect of the team is functioning properly. It could change next Saturday though and the fans could be the ones to ignite the season. A fast start and a early goal could see us up and running. I'm hoping the team bottomed out today, voices were raised in the dressing room, the air was cleared and there is now a desire from the players to put things right. Today's performance might have been the reality check that the players needed, this isn't the National League. | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 22:34 - Aug 15 with 2122 views | beat_the_bishop |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 22:04 - Aug 15 by TalkingSutty |
That's the problem, not one aspect of the team is functioning properly. It could change next Saturday though and the fans could be the ones to ignite the season. A fast start and a early goal could see us up and running. I'm hoping the team bottomed out today, voices were raised in the dressing room, the air was cleared and there is now a desire from the players to put things right. Today's performance might have been the reality check that the players needed, this isn't the National League. |
I can only hope you are right in terms of some air cleared and a response on Saturday.
Lots of people calling for a formation change and reverting back to what we know but if Ian Watson does that…then he might aswell pack up and go. He looks weak and not a leader if he does. Or he sticks to his plan, it will come good or it will fail.
The only thing we have is time to see how it unfolds. And of course, support him and the team as much as we can. | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 22:51 - Aug 15 with 2065 views | nordenblue |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:19 - Aug 15 by robshaker |
usually... newly promoted non league sides to the EFL have a good day on the season opener and kick on with full mementom not the case here, i wonder how many previous non leaguers have had such an abysimal first game in the EFL?? maybe one for TVOS to delve into the archives. your manager watkins needs to pull his finger out.
btw 3600+ at the old girl today. |
Who's this Watkins you talk about is he a new recruit? | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 22:56 - Aug 15 with 2053 views | nordenblue |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 19:49 - Aug 15 by ArthurDaley |
Rodney couldn't score in a brothel |
He was absolutely abysmal at Wembley too, having seen some real real shite down the years hes definitely up there for being one of the most frustrating to watch, his physicality should make him unplayable at times yet he wanders around like hes lost far too often, another player if given any time to think and a few options you can guarantee it will come to nothing, if he plays on instinct he can frustratingly be pretty decent. | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 23:12 - Aug 15 with 1988 views | beat_the_bishop |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 22:56 - Aug 15 by nordenblue |
He was absolutely abysmal at Wembley too, having seen some real real shite down the years hes definitely up there for being one of the most frustrating to watch, his physicality should make him unplayable at times yet he wanders around like hes lost far too often, another player if given any time to think and a few options you can guarantee it will come to nothing, if he plays on instinct he can frustratingly be pretty decent. |
He should not be here. It’s really that simple. Let alone in the starting 11. What standard/example does it set for those on the outskirts of the 11? If you can drift through a game with little to no involvement, fail to simply control a ball and pass it at the right weight it’s okay because 15 games ago you had a good game. It’s wrong. He needs loaning out until January to prove he can still perform or want to. | | | |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 23:22 - Aug 15 with 1914 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Newport County v Rochdale on 22:34 - Aug 15 by beat_the_bishop |
I can only hope you are right in terms of some air cleared and a response on Saturday.
Lots of people calling for a formation change and reverting back to what we know but if Ian Watson does that…then he might aswell pack up and go. He looks weak and not a leader if he does. Or he sticks to his plan, it will come good or it will fail.
The only thing we have is time to see how it unfolds. And of course, support him and the team as much as we can. |
The Chairman interviewed him and gave him the job because he played a similar style to McNulty and they wanted continuity. Watsons first interview seemed to contradict that though, he mentioned a style that nobody else will be playing, klopp style, wingers, high energy and a lot of running, he prefers a back four in defence. None of that sounds similar to how we played under McNulty and we know the players are taking weeks and weeks to adapt to Watson's ways.
It seems obvious that Watson has inherited a squad that simply isn't designed to play the way that he wants and win games. It's a squad that McNulty built and moulded to suit his style of play. If you go through the retained players you can pick out individuals who simply dont have the engine, mobility or physical attributes to play a high octane, pressing game but Watson is stuck with players on contracts. So he has a conundrum to solve and there only looks like two choices open to him. He either keeps persisting and hopes the players will adapt ( i don't think some of them can and some might not want to do), or he rethinks his tactics to suit his squad of players and picks up enough points to keep us up. Then he recruits again over the Summer and reverts back to plan A.
Look at the injured players and their particular injuries, are they capable of returning to the team and playing the type of football Watson requires without sustaining further injury? Smith and Beckwith have recently had very serious injuries and Maguire has been nowhere to be seen, Hayes and Petit will need managing after bad injuries also. I think he's going to have to sit down with senior players and rethink what he's doing, otherwise this might not have a good ending. [Post edited 15 Aug 23:34]
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