Porous defending and poor finishing

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Meadow Lane

Notts County 3 (Crowley 24, Langstaff 34 54)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 8,095

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County DLDLLWLWLD

Notts County WLWWLWDLLW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Notts County have been strong at home but are missing several key players through suspension and injury. County need to offer aggression off the ball and stifle wide areas where Notts have prowess.

CONDITIONS

Mild, partly cloudy and light breeze. Pitch was quick and looked a little slippery on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Poor out of possession, sloppy with the ball, didn’t show enough fight and desire to get back into the game.

TURNING POINT

Notts never looked back after opening goal

THE MATCH

County made a couple of changes with Seberry replacing Drysdale who was on the bench. There was another change in goals with Maxted sacrificed for Townsend. County started with some purpose and won some scrappy early exchanges with Evans having an early shot blocked near the edge of the area inside the first minute. With Notts struggling to clear their lines Bogle threaded a pass to the feet of Evans inside the “d” but his low shot was saved comfortably by Slocombe. Notts were more patient and intricate in possession but County held firm to win the ball back and they elected to play some quick balls in behind but were caught offside. The early impetus County had was soon as Notts become more assertive with Jones offering an outlet left side with his pace. On 6 minutes, Jones made a forceful run left side of the area leaving Payne static but the cross was cleared well at the front post by Seberry. On 8 minutes, central defender Baldwin was allowed the freedom of the park slicing through the middle of the pitch. With no County challenge forthcoming, he threaded a pass to left side of the area for Jones and his cross again caused problems for County but they managed to get an interception in. County were struggling for cohesion through the middle and when they had the ball they were indecisive with Morris getting caught in possession and Wildig playing very deep. On 20 minutes, County had another warning when they switched off defending a Notts move left side with Jones again the instigator. He slipped a low pass inside for Morias who showed good vision to find Langstaff but his effort from 8 yards was well blocked by Delaney. County failed to heed the warning, becoming increasingly indecisive on the ball and Notts took the lead on 24 minutes when Morris got pickpocketed turning back into danger inside his own half. Palmer supplied a quick pass left side of the area for Jones and his cross into the area caused anxiety for County clearing and Crowley blasted a shot on the turn from 10 yards low into the right corner. Seberry appeared to injure himself in the move that lead to the goal and he was stretchered off with a bad looking injury and replaced by Waite who went into midfield with Baker slotting into defence. County made efforts to pick up their game but they continued to undermine their chances with poor retention and erratic passes. On 30 minutes, County had a decent opportunity on the break to exploit space but Bogle and Evans appeared to run into one another and the chance was lost. Notts continued to work wide areas effectively with County standing off the play and not marking tightly. On 34 minutes, Notts extended their lead when the punished County ruthlessly for not applying any pressure off the ball. The move again come left side when Jones overlapped to receive a pass into space beating Payne with quick feet. His early cross into the area pinpointed Langstaff who despite having a header from close range blocked, he was first to the loose ball and slammed the rebound into the left corner. County responded with more urgency to their game but they struggled to put a series of short passes together. On 36 minutes, a more direct move right side saw Waite thread a pass for Bogle right side of the area beating Rawlinson to the ball. From an acute angle, Bogle got a shot in but it lacked a cutting edge drifting into the side netting. Notts were close a third immediately breaking with a quick move from deep with County in a coma and invited a pass to Jones left side. He penetrated untracked to the left side of the box and cut back a decent low cross but Morias poked a volley from 10 yards over the bar. Payne was then booked for a clumsy challenge in the lead up to the move when advantage had been played. On 40 minutes, County worked a half chance when McCloughlin slipped a pass right side which was measured going over Rawlinson and Evans ghosted in but his shot was weak and saved comfortably by Slocombe. County huffed and puffed in the 7 minutes of injury persisting with the long ball in behind and had another decent opportunity on 90+5 minutes when Payne chased a ball right side of the area and looked set to work the keeper but his heavy touch allowed Jones to track back and intercept as he was about to shoot.

Notts started the second half where they left off with Jones tormenting Payne left side and County forced to make hurried clearances. County had a chance to get back in the game on 48 minutes when they created a more efficient move to break from deep with Morris finding Bogle left side. He angled his run wide and provided an early cross isolating Rawlinson and Evans who managed to get ahead of the defender but the scuffed his shot wide of the right post from 10 yards when he should have hit the target. On 52 minutes, Notts were close to a third when Jones was invited to cross again left side and Austin glanced his header into the path of Langstaff. He had time to adjust but his volley on the turn from 10 yards crashed against the bar. There was no respite for County and Notts got the third goal they had threatened on 54 minutes when Jones darted past Payne and his low cross was gobbled up by Langstaff who slotted home inside the six yard box. County made a change soon after with Payne being replaced by Bondswell who went left back with McCloughlin going right back. Notts made their first change on 57 minutes with Morias replaced by Nemane. County were settled by the change which offered more balance. On 65 minutes, County worked a decent move left side with Bondswell showing his prowess to deliver an early cross into the area pinpointing Bogle in an onside position. With the goal at his mercy, Bogle brought down the ball but somehow managed to handle the ball and was penalised despite slotting into the net. There was another chance moments later when McCloughlin instigated a quick break right side to find Morris. His deft cross into the area was anticipated well by Bennett but diverted wide and Bondswell seized the loose ball cross back into the area but he was unable to keep the half volley from 10 yards down. Notts County made a triple change on 67 minutes with Tipton on for Rawlinson in central defence, O’Brien for Palmer in central midfield and Randall on for Crowley in attacking midfield. County enjoyed some better space in the final 20 minutes but the impotency in front of goal continued. On 72 minutes, Evans switched play well right side finding Bogle in space left side of the area. He had time to adjust and get a shot in but the effort from 14 yards lacked power to worry the keeper. On 75 minutes, Notts made another change with Jones replaced by Cisse. Moments later Bogle was again invited to shoot driving forward left side of the area and appeared to be checked by Baldwin as he was about to pull the trigger but the referee was not interested in giving a penalty. County made a treble change on 78 minutes to freshen their approach with Rai on Evans, Drysdale on for Bennett and Thomas for Bogle. The move did little to effect the game and Notts regained control in the final changes with more increased threat from direct balls. Slocombe tested Bondswell with some direct kicks right side which forced him back and nullified the threat County had that side. On 88 minutes, County switched off defending a ball through the middle with Drysdale weakly being brushed off a challenge by Langstaff. As the ball sat up, Langstaff scooped his effort from 12 yards just over the bar. County made efforts to get forward in the 5 minutes of injury time but the best they could offer was a cross right side by McCloughlin which drifted deep and invited Thomas to head but despite Macari out of position he managed to recover and do enough to put off Thomas and win a goal kick. Notts held on strongly for a convincing win to maintain their drive for automatic promotion.

Townsend (6) — put under pressure from crosses and well beaten on the goals fixed to his line. Cleared well under pressure but long kicks were predicable and easily dealt with.

McCloughlin (6) — did a reasonable job defensively limiting threat offered right side and coped well when we he went right back after Payne went over providing some decent crosses

Payne (4) — got turned inside out by Jones and indecisiveness not to get close and tackle proved costly. Invited far too many crosses and should have been replaced at half time

Seberry (5) — always looked vulnerable and not alert enough with lax marking. Distribution was erratic and replaced early after injury by:

Drysdale (5) — won his aerial duals but switched off again from several long balls and allowed himself to bullied off challenges by players with less physicality.

Delaney (6) — the only defender that kept composure but errors crept into his game with some erratic clearances. Made some good interceptions on crosses.

Morris (5) — let down losing ball cheaply first half putting side under pressure and was at fault on the first goal. Played very deep on times, got brushed off too many tackles

Bennett (6) — struggled to deal with low passing moves and never got tight enough. Used ball when he had it but just didn’t assert his game and was firefighting too many errors

Wildig (6) — quiet game, very passive, played very deep and was well tracked when got forward. Got pushed off too many challenges and dad few set pieces to thrive on

Baker (6) — gave away a lot of free kicks and still looks way off match fitness but needs must means he has to play. Did better in central defence and maybe better there in the near future.

Evans (6) — looked most likely to score, made some intelligent runs in behind but fluffed several chances. Worked hard off the ball but faded early and replaced

Bogle (5) — frustrating game, stole into the box a few times with presentable chances but effort lacked power and dithered getting shot in. didn’t do enough off the ball especially first half

SWOT ANALYSIS (Notts County)

Strengths — they worked wide areas well with the pace and exploited County ruthlessly with their intricate build up play. Adapted well defensively despite injuries

Weaknesses — centre backs wanted a lot of touches but County were slow to press mistakes. Gave space through the middle with some loose passes but County ended up giving the ball back

Opportunities — started with 3–4–3 and appeared to play 3–4–1–2. Never really needed to change tact. Just kept recycling the ball low and provide early crosses. Went a bit more direct later in game.

Threats — Jones pace crosses left side, Langstaff eye for an snapshot and anticipated well inside area. Crowley and Morias knitted moves well and were difficult to track

OFFICIALS

C Breakspear (7) — missed a possible penalty call on Bogle but got key decisions right and was keen to utilise advantage

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jodi Jones — demanded ball left side, used pace to get outside and provided some cutting crosses. Defended well making some important recoveries

IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

This was a convincing win for Notts County and the drop in performance levels will be more of a concern than the actual result. County were well beaten tonight, but it is not surprising when the side is clearly not playing to their capability as we see under the current formation. Opponents are targeting wide areas with low crosses into the six yard area and gambling with runs back post which County are collectively defending poorly either with poor marking or not offering enough aggressive out of possession. Again late changes were made with Payne struggling to contain Jones for much of the first half, but when the belated changes were made, County adapted and showed up better with more balance when Bondswell went left back and McCloughlin right back. County did have a decent spell when they should have scored until Notts went more direct targeting Bondswell lack of height putting County back in the box. County need to put Bondswell left wing back, let him crosses at will and use his stamina box to box. He is not a natural defender. Likewise with McCloughlin right side who is a strong dribbler and creative in around the box. Put Baker alongside Drysdale and Delaney and you get your settled back 3. Wildig, Morris and Bennett in the middle with Evans and Bogle up front. This will stop Bogle roaming and he can do more effective work inside the 18 yard box. Next up is Gillingham away on Saturday. County need to turn over a page and prove the doubters wrong. Despite winning tonight at Swindon, Gillingham have been indifferent since manager Neil Harris left with their defence less secure. Gillingham are the lowest scorers in League Two and likely to play 451 or 433 counter attacking formation with Coleman a key cog in central midfield and former Welsh international Jonny Williams roaming. County need to close down that source and ask questions higher up the pitch with Wildig pivotal in the role to work gaps in behind