The Voice - Match preview Newport County vs Bradford City Saturday 23rd September 3:00pm

View from the other side, good write up:
https://markvickery007.medium.com/county-second-best-all-over-the-pitch-1204ca7c0e5d

 

I just realised I posted that twice, sorry bud, my phone plays up on this site sometimes...

 

We should be blooding Pointon in, not relying on him at this stage.

No issues with anything I've seen from the young lad.

 

I think half of our playing squad have a connection with Boro

 

I don’t disagree, tell that to those who think 442 will fix all our problems.

 

I think it's kinda clear that today was a 1-1 outside of Andy Cook.

Andy Cook came back and smashed in a hat trick.

Tulloch played well, and some awesome balls from McDonald.

But Cook was the difference, not 'set up', not 'formation', not 'tactics'.

That first goal was a slightly above average cross from Tulloch, not to be mean or anything, putting the cross in when Cook's in there is absolutely the right thing to do. But the fact Cook attacked that cross like he did, smashing in his header from such height, that's all about Cook.

Without Cook, any other City player doesn't do anything with that cross, and nobody remembers it even getting put in the box.

Andy Cook.

That was the difference today. The rest, all the excuses and reasoning, is kinda nonsense.

 

Jon - the lad in @Wakefield Bantam post above says this:
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.

Not a bad way to return and get your season off and running. Nice to see opposition fans appreciated his performance too (albeit through gritted teeth).

 

We've seen Cook be completely unplayable several times last season.

We saw it again.

Nobody should be surprised, Cook is too good for League Two.

 

Outstanding today let's just hope now that Hughes has sussed out that this is the way forward

 

Decent player assessments too. Good honest, pretty reliable, resume of one’s own team and opponent performance.

Refreshing.

 

I can agree with this, I said to a friend the other week when you have such a free scoring talisman in your squad your number one priority is to build a team around him, the formation should be set up to create chances for him.

 

It was formation and tactics Jon…..Precisely designed to play to Cookies strengths. That’s exactly what we did. Cookie took advantage of it , so well. We just need Pattison back, but where does HE fit when Walker had his best game for us this season? I think I said before, it’s difficult to get them in the same side and remain balanced. ( Perhaps in for Gilly?)

 

This says it all: 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".

Sorry @Tennesseebantam just seen your post, but it was a great performance so no reason not to post it twice.

 

Youre not the only one. Its not your phone it's this site, only place I use where it does it.

 

If you think yesterdays positive attacking performance had no bearing from the fans reaction to previous performances, then youre very naive.

 

It's not a first world problem just never had it anywhere else. Doesn't happen every post you make, it's sporadic.

 

After reading the article @Wakefield Bantam posted which was excellent I cant be arsed with regards the ins and outs of each individual game, on the day I saw a much different Bradford City who were allowed to express them selves from the off, no messing around at the back when we had the ball we looked more adventurous going forward making runs and players finding space for the man with the ball, I don't care how we get the result with regards the set up.
As yourself I want to see players entertain me maybe come the end of the season if we are in the mix I'll accept we may have to dig in to grind results out but we wont be by ourselves teams who blow other teams away see the finishing line and for some reason don't seem to have the same belief in themselves and revert to making sure they don't lose the game.
That performance against a decent side at their place was a breath of fresh air, fair does to all concerned, I'd like to see Hughes going for the game Tuesday night maybe we'll see the return of Smallwood and Bobby Pointon plus a few more fans after yesterdays performance.

 

I disagree Jon. I know I didn't see all of the game but the bits I did see, look how many times McDonald played forward and started attacks at the turn over of possession. Then add in that assist and the difference between him and Smallwood I think was also a huge factor.