County need to start as they finished
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 0
Grimsby Town 0
Attendance: 3,898
Match Rating: ***
Form:
Newport County DLLdWLLWLL
Grimsby Town LLDWWWWWWD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Grimsby have been one of the form sides since Christmas so expecting them come out bullish. County need to get their new signings firing and move the ball sharp when invited.
CONDITIONS
Mild, showery bright spells with keen breeze
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Resilient when forced deep first half but gradually built momentum without reward.
TURNING POINT
Both sides missed pens arguably but second half changes by County were productive.
THE MATCH
County made a few changes with Kamwa injured he was replaced by Garner and Opoku returned after suspension forcing Crole to the bench. There was another change with Glennon sacrificed to the bench in place of Davies. County made another tweak with centre back Jenkins not in the squad, they introduced new loan signing Sven Sprangler in midfield as they switched to 4–1–4–1. Grimsby had the benefit of keen wind first half and opted for a direct approach using Cook an aerial outlet. County were more patient with some early moves from deep which Grimsby stifled well allowing them build up a head of steam. On 6 minutes, County had a warning when a direct Grimsby ball right side was worked wide for Green to latch onto right side of the box. He dinked back a decent cross into the six yard box, which invited Cook to glance a header under pressure from Delaney which grazed the top of the bar. Moments later Opoku chanced his arm killing the ball quickly from 25 yards but his ambitious effort was well wide of the left post and bar. County found passing from deep tricky against the wind with the ball being slowed and Grimsby continued to press up and stifle with some moves right side getting Kabia on the ball. Grimsby worked a decent low move on 12 minutes with Vernam threading a ball to the feet of left back Staunton and his snapshot from left side of the box was parried away well by Wright. From the resulting corner by Staunton, County could only half clearance and a snapshot by Vernam went over the bar. On 15 minutes, another Grimsby move left side involving Vernam saw him show good vision to pick out the late run of right back Rodgers and with County sleeping. He dragged his first time effort wide of the right post when he should have tested the keeper. After riding their luck, County eased their way into the game with some measured direct balls getting Garner more on the ball left side who unsettled when he managed to turn off defenders. County settled in a better spell of possession working some clever switches of play from right to left to test Rodgers. Grimsby responded with some bright moves on the break and tested County with some crosses into the box which they defended well. On 30 minutes, County squandered a decent situation when Garner was caught offside receiving an precise diagonal ball from Biggins with Grimsby stretched. On 35 minutes, Grimsby forced some pressure with a series of corners left side with the delivery from Staunton causing problems but County managed to some important interventions in. On 38 minutes, Grimsby won a corner left side and Vernam’s delivery found Green but the front post header bounced off the left upright. On 45+2 minutes, County had a great chance to punish Grimsby when they created their best move of the half following a low intricate move right side which got the Compeed terrace purring. Spellman did well to carry his run right side of the box and cut back a good pass for Garner but he snatched at his effort went which wide of the left post and bar. Grimsby had Cook in the book on 45+4 minutes for protesting over a decision what went against him.
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County started the second half with more purpose and better retention especially right side with Biggins and Sprangler combining well. On 52 minutes, County had a decent situation right side from a snappy low move involving Shepherd but his cross right side of the box was diverted for a corner. Davies delivered a good cross to the far post, where Rodgers won just ahead of Delaney who was lurking to head behind for another corner. The follow up corner saw McJannet make brave clearance to head clear near the goal line and he was forced into some treatment which he recovered from. On 55 minutes, County had a great chance when Opoku raced onto a long ball and his pace took him past Staunton but his low shot right side of the box was weak and straight at Smith. Grimsby persisted with hopeful long balls to test County which they managed well with Delaney and Baker showing a good leap. On 58 minutes, Grimsby had a decent situation when Rodgers ghosted into some space right side and his early cross pinpointed Cook but Wright was alert to punch the ball to safety. County kept plugging away with some sharpness to their passing and an excellent low move on the hour yielded a penalty. Wright started the move with quick distribution left side to find Biggins and his intelligent pass into the box was seized upon by Spellman just inside the area and he clipped by Yuri. Opoku took the penalty but his low shot was too comfortable allowing Smith to parry the shot away. Grimsby made their first change on 68 minutes with Yuri sacrificed for McEachran. County responded with a double substitution just after with Thomas and Nyakuhwa replacing Shephard and Biggins. County kept chipping away and were close again on 70 minutes when Thomas switched play well to release Opoku left side who drove beyond the last man before Smith came off his line to make a good save and deny the shot from an acute angle. With County gaining confidence, on 72 minutes, Brennan stuck a low powerful from 30 yards which force Smith into save and he claimed the ball at the second attempt. With the game going end to end, Grimsby had an opportunity moments later to take the lead from a penalty after Kabia was adjudged to have been brought down by Baker. Vernam took the spot-kick but his low effort in the right corner was well saved by Wright. County kept plugging away with some forceful moves left side which caused Grimsby problems and Nyakuhwa coaxed Rodgers into a clumsy tackle near the left flank which got him a booking. On 80 minutes, County made a double substitution with Glennon replacing Garner and new signing Cole Jarvis from Merthyr Town replacing Sprangler. Grimsby responded with their own triple change which saw Sellars-Fleming, Vernam, Khouri and Kabia. On 87 minutes, County had a great chance to win the game with Jarvis making an impact with his first touch when he threaded an immaculate pass through for Spellman on the right side of the area. He cut back a decent cross for Nyakuhwa and Glennon back post. Nyakuwha was favourite to pounce from 12 yards but a great block by Warren denied him. On 89 minutes, County made another change with Crole coming on for Opoku and there was 8 minutes injury time to play. On 90+2 minutes, Crole did well to coax a free kick just outside the area after rash foul by McJannet. Glennon took the free kick but the shot hit the wall and the Grimsby managed to scramble the ball to safety. On 90+5 minutes, Glennon was booked for a late recovery tackle to prevent the run from deep by Warren. County forced some late pressure and a corner but were unable to break the disciplined Grimsby rearguard.
Wright (8) — kept focus making some smart instinctive saves first half and kicked well into the wind. Got down quickly to save penalty and got his parries to safety.
Shepherd (7) — gave assurance was forced back first half dealing with Vernam but limited threat well. had a good spell after half time influencing play higher up until replaced.
Davies (7) — solid game, got tight to deny Kabia space and limited effect from crosses. Passed well, offered good movement and got tight late on to dampen threat right side.
Delaney (8) — great response, had a good dual with Cook and won majority of first contacts. Cleared well under pressure and initiated some useful direct moves with neat passes.
Baker (6) — didn’t have his own way in the air and needs to show more teeth and aggression in aerial duals. Passed well but jumped in unnecessarily to concede penalty.
Brennan (7) — gave insurance to defence and did the ugly job to stifle and break up. Covered a lot of ground and come out of this shell later in game getting more on the ball.
Biggins (6) — quiet game, angled some clever runs wide but was restricted outside the box. Offered some good switches of play with vision before being replaced.
Sprangler (7) — decent debut, nothing spectacular, competed well in air and was composed with his feet. Maintained position well before fading early.
Garner (6) — started slowly but started to cause problems when got on shoulder of centre back to prise openings and carry more direct runs for spell winning penalty before tiring.
Spellman (7) — was effective when he limited touches and was always a problem with his acceleration. Can sometimes give defender five yards and supplied some neat crosses
Opoku (7) — found space squashed first half when ball was coming back in wind but went through several times second half to break the lines with his pace and should have scored.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Grimsby Town)
Strengths — defended box and set pieces strongly, working crosses well first half getting men into the box.
Weaknesses — persisted with direct ball for large parts and lacked some patience to pass ball. Centre backs lacked pace when turned which better sides will punish.
Opportunities — played 4–1–4–1 and kept game simple for an hour before switching to 4–3–3 late on to ask questions.
Threats — Cook aerial prowess, Kabia pace right and Vernam creativity left side, Green runs box to box eye for a shot.
OFFICIALS
D Bourne (6) — got the penalty calls right but confused by some of the decisions which looked no more than collisions rather than fouls when advantage could have been played.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Jackson Smith (Grimsby keeper) — made three big saves to deny Opoku when exposed. Wasn’t overworked but gave defence assurance throughout.
IF YOU WERE CHRISTIAN FUCHS WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County need to start games faster and be more aggressive from the offset, especially at home. Grimsby had some moments early on, but a lot of this pressure was invited with County opting to pass from deep into the wind. County actually caused problems today from direct long balls with Opoku coming alive in second half and the later changes also built on the momentum. County have missed several penalties this season with the placement being too low, too safe and predictable and really need to be punishing sides as the move that led up to the penalty deserved some reward. County also improved their defensive application today with Davies and Delaney working well in tandem and the only concern Grimsby created was when aerial flicks in behind were not dealt with early. Both Sprangler and Garner looked a yard off the pace, but when they did get on the ball they were effective in their output. County finished strongly and they had a lot of creativity and pace on the pitch, but ultimately there were not ruthless enough to gain the win they demanded. County need to keep being bold and game management with keeping players fresh will be key in February. Wins and not just draws will get them away from danger and “not playing for a point” so they need to keep being brave in those key moments to punish sides. Next up on Wednesday is the rearranged Swindon Town away game. Swindon have won their last 3 games using their big squad with a lot of young players blended alongside experience so may rest the older chaps. Swindon are likely to play 3–4–3 formation with former Wrexham striker Palmer an outlet to link and pivot play and carry goal threat with Drinan an eye for a quick shot. Snowdown v Davies looks a key battle but they also have veteran striker Junior Hoilett in their ranks who can influence moves either side. County need to start improving their away performances and target some of their less experienced players
