Vale punish defensive frailities

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Rodney Parade

Newport County 1 (Wildig 24)

Port Vale 4 (Stockley 6, 36, Chislett 48, Tolaj 54)

Attendance: 4,851

Match Rating: ***

Form:

Newport County LLWWWL

Port Vale WLdWLLW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

County have made adjustments at the back and vigilance will be needed to deal direct game employed Vale. Key County take care of the ball with their transitional play

CONDITIONS

Cloudy, quite warm and calm. Pitch in decent condition and slick on top

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Naïve defending and lack of discipline handed over the points cheaply

TURNING POINT

McLoughlin injury unsettled defence and three at the back didn’t gel.

THE MATCH

County refreshed the team following the EFL Trophy game mid-week and made just the one change from the victory at Morecambe last Saturday which was enforced with Matt Baker on international duty he was replaced by Cameron Evans. County retained their 3–5–2 formation with Port Vale maintaining their 4–2–3–1 formation with former Charlton striker Jayden Stockley up-top. Vale set a precedence early with some direct play with Stockley leading the line and County were forced to mop up some balls in behind. On 5 minutes, County were dealt a blow when John cut inside from the left flank and McLoughlin recovered well to deny his run with a stern tackle but he appeared pull up and needed treatment. McLoughlin was unable to resume action and was replaced by Sanca who went into central defence with Evans slotting to right wing back. County failed to heed the warning and switched off 6 minutes when Cover was allowed the freedom to ping a ball quickly right side Baker-Boaitey. He cut back and whipped in a decent cross to the back post and with the County defence static Stockley made the most to steal in with a header into the roof of the net from 8 yards. County responded well with some effervescence and went close to replying on 10 minutes. Glennon orchestrated the move left side and threaded a pass inside from Kamwa who drilled a decent effort from 20 which was blocked by Debrah and Glennon seized upon the loose ball but his low effort from inside “d” was saved in the right corner by Ripley. County enjoyed reasonable possession but Vale persisted with direct play to test County with Baker-Boaitey bright with his runs right side. On 12 minutes, County worked a decent move right side and Evans was caught very late by John but escaped with no booking. On 15 minutes, Vale worked a move in transition left side with Byers neatly passing to Chislett. He adjusted quickly to dink in a decent cross into the area pinpointing the frame of Stockley lurking but Brennan did well to intercept and headed over for a corner. Vale gained confidence from their direct play with Stockley unsettling in aerial duals and County not winning enough first or second contacts. Vale kept forcing the issue right side with Baker-Boaitey combing well with Tolaj and the crosses continued to reign in. County had some invitations to attack left side when Vale moves broke down and this paid off on 24 minutes with Glennon overlapping left side and he whipped in an excellent cross into the area and Wildig anticipated superbly finishing with header from 10 yards into the top right corner with Ripley static on his line. The game became scrappy for a time with County appearing to adjust to Vale bombardment and they worked some decent moves from deep and got a better grip of the ball with Baker-Richardson coming into the game. On 35 minutes, Baker-Boaitey then coaxed a cheap foul with Glennon mistiming his tackle and the referee started to get his cards out. Port Vale were back in front on 36 minutes following a corner which County failed to clear effectively. Vale chipped a hopeful cross from the right side of the area which Tolaj glanced on with a clever header and Stockley was the more alert poking a low effort into the right corner from 8 yards. County made efforts to pick up their energy levels with Kamwa forceful left side and he was denied on 38 minutes when right back Cover obstructed his strong run and was booked. Baker-Boaitey continued to cause problems with some strong runs and Vale won a free kick on 42 minutes when Wildig clipped his legs. Baker-Boaitey took the free kick but his effort was rash going well over the bar. County had a good situation on 45+1 minutes when Kamwa was crudely taken out by Hall following a jinking run through the middle of the pitch but no card was forthcoming. The free kick was squandered with Kamwa striking the wall and Morris blasting an ambitious effort well over from 35 yards. Despite 8 minutes of injury time, County had a lot of the ball but were struggling to find any threatening areas and Vale went into half time in a strong position.

County were slow out of the blocks second half with Vale continuing the haunt them with direct balls. On 47 minutes, a hopeful long ball left side saw Hall pinpoint Stockley who won the ball ahead of Sanca. Tolaj was again first to the key ball in midfield and released a pass to Baker-Boaitey who ran to an acute angle left side but his shot was well blocked by Glennon. County imploded on 48 minutes with a move from deep with Townsend finding Sanca and Glennon not on the same wavelength, Tolaj seized the loose ball and released Chislett for free run through the middle. This time there was no let off for County with a low finish from 10 yards in the right corner. County then started to lose their discipline and shape with Evans jumping into a tackle when Hall stole down the left flank and he got booked. Vale were in firm control with a charitable fourth goal on 55 when a move from right to left saw Byers cut inside and with no tackle forthcoming he released John left side. His low cross into the area found Tolaj in space and able to turn before hitting a shot into the top right corner. Jameson then got an unnecessary booking for trying to handle the ball near the goal-line. Vale made their first change on 57 minutes with Baker-Boaitey being replaced by Richards. County made efforts to raise the bar but with frustration creeping into their game, they were dealt another blow on 58 minutes when Brennon got drawn into a foul after he appeared to be held down by Garrity when getting up from a tackle. This time the fourth official deemed it was violent and a straight red card was issued which appeared harsh given the mitigating circumstances. County made a double substitution on 65 minutes with Kieron Evans on for Antwi and Hudlin for Baker-Richardson with County employing a 4–4–1 formation. The match imploded further for County on 67 minutes with “2 balls on the pitch syndrome” left unchecked and after multiple efforts to get on with the game following a County throw right side, Jameson lost his cool kicking the ball into the crowd. The referee issued a second yellow card and County were forced to play the last 20 minutes with 9 men. Vale made a double change on 68 minutes with Lowe replacing Byers in midfield and Sang coming on for Cover at right back. County made another change with Kamwa replaced by Greaves. Vale threatened again on 72 minutes following a move left side exposing Evans and the cross by Chislett invited Richards to shoot from close range but Townsend did well to save low down. Vale made another double change on 75 minutes with Stockley and Chislett sacrificed for Hackford and Paton. County elected for some long ball into Hudlin to relieve pressure and he did his best to contest using his 6ft 9inches frame well but was left too isolated on times. On 80 minutes, County were close when they went direct with a neat ball left side which pinpointed Hudlin and this time County haf men in support. Wildig did well to snap up the pass back and curled an excellent effort from the left corner of the box onto the top of the bar with the keeper struggling to adjust. Greaves picked up the loose ball right side of the area and set up a shot for Kieron Evans but he curling effort from 25 yards dipped over the bar. On 85 minutes, Wildig was on the end of late challenge and went down and was booked for dissent when told to leave the pitch. Vale forced County deeper in the final stages with possession limited and were close again on 90 minutes when a corner right side by Lowe found Garitty as the extra man but his header from 8 yards was glanced wide of the left post. County were forced to endure 11 minutes of injury time with Vale chancing their arm with several shots from distance but failed to work clearcut chances. On 90+8 minutes, Townsend was forced to come of his line and bravely saved at the feet of Hackford who was booked for a late challenge.

Townsend (7) — did his best to stem the flow with some brave saves and was alert with his passing and distribution. Took a few knocks but kept his discipline well

McLoughlin (6) — got unfortunate early injury and was replaced by:

Sanca (5) — not strong enough in the aerial duals and bullied off the ball by Stockley. Was slow to read the danger back on the second goal. Cleared well when he got set in his position early.

Glennon (6) — got forced back for large spells and never really got going. Did well setting up the goal and always looked capable in transition. Did his best to work back and intercept danger

Brennan (5) — competed well in air and made several interceptions, but let himself down kicking out losing discipline at key moment in the game.

C Evans (5) — was forced to go right back after McLoughlin injury and allowed to much space for crosses, marking was poor on times and struggled after booking to impose game.

Jameson (4) — coped in the aerial duals but awareness was poor failing to read danger and react several times. Two stupid needless bookings put defence under significant strain last 20 minutes

Wildig (6) — worked hard box to box but struggled to get foothold in the game with long ball employed by Vale by passing him. Took his chance clinically and always looked most likely scorer

Morris (5) — was quiet first half and never really imposed his authority on the game. Passed tidy but still looks a yard or two off the pace but got a useful 90 mins

Antwi (5) — disappointing game, stood off too many challenges and ball watching evident when Brennan got sucked out of position in move he was sent off.

Kamwa (6) — got pushed off the ball too much and needs to be stronger. Had some good spells but crosses were restricted and kept at arms-length

Baker-Richardson (6) — picked up on scraps and had little to feed off on crosses. Retained ball well when he had it and switched play with some neat foot work

SWOT ANALYSIS (Port Vale)

Strengths — did the basics well and worked ball efficiently from direct play to provide crosses with conviction. Strong in the physical duals and passed well final third.

Weaknesses — gambled but pushing front three up high aggressively but left space in behind especially defending right side. got away with a lot of clambering and crude play by lenient official.

Opportunities — never really had to change tact. Elected to go direct and play of Stockley and used energy in behind well to supply crosses and work openings.

Threats — Stockley aerial duals and positioning inside 6 yard box. Tolaj link play and movement final third. Chislett crosses and set pieces. Baker-Boaitey crosses and verve dribbling left side.

OFFICIALS

S Parkinson (5) — has stepped up from the National Conference and poor reading of the game didn’t help allowing situations to escalate and inconsistency with bookings

MAN OF THE MATCH

Lorant Tolaj — team player and key cog in behind, got to all the debris quicker and passed well. was strong in the physical duals and took his chance well.

IF YOU WERE NELSON JARDIM WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County were stretched defensively before this game and made the right choice going with 3 centre backs, rather than 4, but the defence looked brittle from the moment McLoughlin left the pitch and the adjustments that were made to remain 3–5–2. Port Vale have employed a direct game for the majority of this season and County never got to grips with Stockley despite having three centre backs and when they didn’t win the first contact they needed to win the second contact. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get that right today as well, allowing Tolaj and Chislett to pick up the debris who hurt them with telling passes and crosses. County need to be more physically robust and mentally strong when playing experienced outfits like Port Vale. Following a mad 10–15 mins after half time, County lost the plot with indiscipline and frustration creeping in their game, but the match was lost in the first half when they gave up too much territory and despite having some good situations to punish Vale in transition they were sloppy with their passes allowing them to recover. County will now need to manage their suspensions and may be forced to revert back to a back four in the next game at Swindon or potentially employ a more attacking 3–4–3 formation to utilise their players available and use legs to hurt the hosts. Swindon have not won this season and rescued a late draw at Barrow today. Swindon are likely to play a 3–5–2 formation but will be missing aerial robust influence of former Sutton striker Harry Smith up top after he was sent off today. This can assist County, with Swindon being forced to keep the ball lower. County need to up their energy levels and add guile final third knowing those key moments to time their transitional game.