County second best all over the pitch

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Bogle 35)

Bradford City 4 (Cook 14, 29, 90+2, Tulloch 26)

Attendance: 4,087

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LWWLWWLDLD

Bradford City LWWDLWWdDD

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Bradford have a similar record to County and been under some pressure from their fan base. Top scorer Cook is back after injury so key County win the battles to stem supply.

CONDITIONS

Sunny periods, quite warm and light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Got bullied in too many of the key areas and never recovered after mad 15 minutes first half.

TURNING POINT

Sloppy opening goal set precedent

THE MATCH

County were forced into one change in central defence with Delaney suspended and he was replaced by Drysdale. There was another surprise change with Payne sacrificed for Wildig who was back from injury and he slotted back into midfield with McCloughlin reverting to right back. County started with purpose with some low move right side to test Bradford and Wildig asking questions with some intelligent passes. Bradford were quick to work wide areas to test County and issued a warning on 5 minutes following a corner left side. Walker pinpointed Cook with a floated cross and he showed his aerial prowess heading over from 10 yards. County worked some measured passes left side with Lewis showing good vision to pick out runs by Bogle but the Bradford centre back were able to recover. Bradford kept pressing left side and got their reward on 14 minutes with County caught ball watching. McDonald released Tulloch left side of the area and a yard of pace took him past McCloughlin with ease. With County slow to react Tulloch made the most of the space invited and lofted a neat cross into the six yard box which Cook won ahead of Drysdale powering his header into the roof of the net. Bradford gained confidence from the goal with Odour making some angled runs right side in transition which Lewis struggled to track. On 20 minutes, Bradford worked a low neat move right side with County slow to close down and Odour combined with Halliday right side of the box. Despite the shot being blocked, Walker was first to the loose ball but his low effort from 12 yards was well blocked by Clarke. Bradford maintained their grip on the game winning their tackles well forcing County deep and had a half chance on 24 minutes but the snapshot from Walker from 14 yards was dragged wide of the left post. County again failed to take the warning seriously and they were soon two goal down on 26 minutes from another move right side. County had opportunities to clear the ball but indecision allowed McDonald to pinch the ball and hit a crisp effort right corner of the area. Despite it being blocked, his early elected to deliver a low cross which left the County static and Tulloch ghosted in back post to fire past Townsend. County opted for direct play but were unable to make the ball stick. In contrast, Bradford were effective from long balls with Cook winning the first contact. On 29 minutes, County inexplicably switched off when McDonald was allowed to poke harmless looking ball through the middle and indecision by Drysdale saw him brushed aside by Cook who carried his run goalside and finished low in the right corner from 14 yards. County made efforts to pick up their game with some good switches of play but the crosses lack quality and punch. On 35 minutes, County were back in the game with a goal out of the blue when Waite slipped a precise pass to split the Bradford centre backs and Bogle raced in and round the keeper to slot home. Bradford to cause problems right side with Odour having the freedom of Rodney Parade on times. On 40 minutes, Bradford had another decent opportunity when a County move broke cheaply, Walker slipped a quick pass to Odour right side. His pace took him past Lewis and blast a low shot right corner of the area but Townsend made a smart save low down. Bradford had a series of corners left side as half time approached but County managed to clear the danger. On 45+2 minutes, County had a half chance following a more decisive move through the middle with Wildig finding Waite who jinked forward to manufacture space but his effort from just outside the “d” fizzed wide of the right post.

County picked up their efforts after half time with a better tempo but Bradford managed to stifle quickly inside the box. On 53 minutes, County created a decent chance from a counter left side with Wildig releasing Bogle left side. He forged his way past Halliday and dinked in a decent cross towards Evans but Stubbs did well to interfere enough and head clear. Odour remained a nuisance right side for Bradford but County managed to temper the threat better. On 55 minutes, Bradford were presented an opportunity when Drysdale lost the ball cheaply inside the centre circle and Gillead worked a quick pass left side for Walker but the cross was well intercepted by Bennett for a corner. Walker took the corner and Cook was again causing problems winning the header ahead of Clark but he did enough to block it and the danger was cleared. County made a double substitution on 62 minutes with Bondswell and Thomas coming on for Waite and Wildig. County had a better spell midway through the half gaining some momentum but were restricted to corners. On 66 minutes, County had a half chance following a corner right side and Lewis played a low pass for Morris inviting him to shoot first time but the effort from 20 yards was blocked. Bradford freshened the approach moments later with Odour replaced Osadebe who maintained their drive right side. County kept plugging away but remained vulnerable to breaks from deep by Bradford with Gillead showing good visions with his passes. On 72 minutes, County were forced into a change when Clarke pulled up recovering to stop an overload by Bradford left side. Clarke was replaced by Seberry who slotted in a centre back. County were left frustrated by several decisions going against them and Evans was booked soon after for dissent. County reverted to 4–3–3 in the final stages in an attempt to salvage something from the game with Bogle dropping to right midfield with Evans, Thomas and Bondswell up top. On 80 minutes, County worked a decent chance when Thomas found space right side and delivered a decent cross back post but Bondswell could only hit the side netting from an acute angle. Bradford made a change on 82 minutes with Oyegoke coming on for Walker to maintain their tempo final third. The game remained scrappy with Bradford in the ascendancy on the physical duals and they were happy to run down the clock. On 84 minutes, Ridehalgh was booked needlessly for time wasting on a throw in left side. County then had Drysdale booked on 85 minutes for a clumsy challenge on Oyegoke carrying his run across the face of the area. From the resultant free kick, Osadebe blasted high and wide when he should have worked Townsend. Bradford made a late double substitution with Tulloch and McDonald replaced by Smith and Smallwood. Bradford added a fourth goal on 90+2 minutes when they broke with conviction left side and Ridehalgh whipped in an excellent cross which found Cook unmarked who anticipated well heading into the right corner from 10 yards. County huffed and puffed in the five minutes of injury time but the best they could muster was a half volley edge of the area by Morris which went just over the bar. Bradford held out to claim a comprehensive win which takes the pressure of their manager and former Wales international manager Mark Hughes for the moment.

Townsend (6) — given little protection on all goals with defence going awol. Kicked well under pressure and made smart save just before half time to keep County in the game.

McCloughlin (5) — struggled to deal with direct runs and didn’t get enough tackles in to deny crosses. Made more headway second half beyond half way line but crosses lacked bite.

Lewis (5) — not sure if he is carrying a knock but got run ragged by Odour and lacked tenacity. Reluctance to challenge proved costly and let down with poor crosses.

Drysdale (4) — Struggled to deal with direct play and got bullied off the ball by Cook. Performance made worse by poor decision making and failure to clear the ball earlier.

Clarke (6) — the best and more composed defender. Stood up well to direct play to stifle and cleared effectively. Got pulled about a lot especially second half when left more exposed to counter.

Wildig (6) — started brightly and was quick with his use of the ball thinking ahead. Struggled to make impact in congested midfield but kept supporting moves well until he faded.

Waite (6) — had some good spells first half picking holes and set up goal well but lost too many tackles and challenges in key areas. Went close with a couple of snapshots around the edge of the box.

Morris (6) — forced very deep when needed to push on more to influence the middle final third. did his best to link and probe openings and was well positioned edge of the box but shots got blocked.

Bennett (6) — competed well in air and was alert stifling through the middle but struggled to cover wide areas. Kept going but looked tired and laboured in final stages when game faded.

Evans (6) — did his best off the ball to hassle and unsettle but given little support. Played more through the middle second half but got little change in aerial duals beaten to the ball too easily.

Bogle (5) — spent too much time on the ground and was made to look worse dropping back into midfield. Took his chance well but needs to stay inside the box and start hurting sides.

SWOT ANALYSIS (Bradford City)

Strengths — they had a good shape defensively and pushed full backs high to influence play. Varied passing well and were effective from direct play taking chances clinically

Weaknesses — got away with the clambering and pulling when County had the chance to spin off them in midfield. Left space either side of 18 yard box but managed to recover.

Opportunities — never really needed to change tact. Helped ball through the middle for Cook to contest and worked wide areas well pushing full backs high. Like for like chances maintained tempo.

Threats — Cook aerial threat and link play. Odour and Tulloch gave outlet in wide areas with pace and provide decent crosses. McDonald eye for a pass.

OFFICIALS

A Davies (6) — lenient throughout. Ignored the clear pulling and holding down frustrating County by penalising them in the few moments they digressed.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Andy Cook — probably the best performance by a number 9 at Rodney Parade for some years. Was always a problem for County inside the box, linked well and took chances clinically

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County performed well last week in adversity and needed to adjust with captain Delaney suspended, but it was clear today that with the personnel available the back four used do not have the capability. Both full backs lacked positional awareness and aggression and the centre backs got pulled about too much not winning enough first contacts. It was also puzzling when Payne and McCloughlin worked so well in tandem last weekend, the change to bring Wildig back into the team saw Payne sacrificed somewhat harshly. County will hope Baker is available soon and they can consider playing Delaney and Drysdale and revert to 3–5–2 system which will benefit Drysdale, Lewis and McCloughlin. The changes County made second half also backfired with Thomas not strong enough to play with back to goals getting pickpocketed too much, when Bogle needed to be asserting himself inside the area (but dropped deep). Thomas needs to start picking runs in wide areas using his pace to hurt sides. County looked lightweight today and it was enough for Bradford to win the first contacts, which they did well and more than often when that failed they picked up the second ball also with Morris and Bennett fading late on. Next up is bogey side Salford City, who County have atrocious record against that needs to change. County will certainly need to deal with aerial balls through the middle better if the robust unit of former Leeds striker Matt Smith is employed up top. Salford are missing top scorer Hendry through injury, but County will need to offer more teeth and mark better with McAleney able with his runs and Luke Bolton offering plenty of pace right midfield to keep Lewis busy.