The Voice - Match preview Newport County vs Bradford City Saturday 11th March 2023 @ 3:00pm

Well it was either the position Hughes asked him to play or he didn't get game time as we've not played with an out and out winger most of the season, we'll never know just how good Esia could have been for Bradford City as most of his time he's been at the club he been out injured but what we have seen in his short time here has not been anything to write home about the odd flash of ability but most of the time chasing shadows, funny old game football fans see the same game but interpret it differently.

 

Just seen the OG and if Lewis had not have stepped to his left a tad when their player kicked the ball he would have saved the ball for sure.

Fine margins.

A question was asked earlier where would we be without Lewis and Cook-it's stupid one because we have them in the team and they are playing well-just what we want as fans to see. We should be thankful we have that sort of talent at our club not looking to see where we would be without them. I would also argue that Lewis and Cook are performing as they are because of the players around them not in spite of them.

We are actually in a really strong position right now as, has already been pointed out, teams above us are playing each other in the run in.

Buckle up peeps, the City rollercoaster has set off.

 

The only player, that we might have benefited from resting, was Walker. Considering he was out until mid-January, he's done very well - but definitely be a bit overplayed.

 

Thanks for this Rog. My thoughts exactly. Promotion via auto's is still very much on. I really don't give a toss how we get promoted but that we DO get promoted.

 

The trouble with this is we will struggles for results at home. Today was a decent point deep in Wales trouble is. it would likely have probably been the same at home.
I am all for pragmatism but I just don’t think we will do enough at home for the autos

 

We'll see in the next three weeks!! The home record is improving, but needs to avoid Rochdale or Barrow blips.

 

I don't want to go through the play offs, personally, and would be absolutely elated if we got the autos.

However, a top 7 finish was always the minimum aim, and to still be in with a shout of top 3 is a serious achievement so far IMO.

 

All fair comment but I think from the early day when we saw how Hughes set his teams up even though we weren't playing well we were getting results most realised that would be the way Hughes would have us play going forward, even quoting THIS IS THE WAY MY TEAMS WILL PLAY AS LONG AS I;M HERE, we have looked better in the odd game but they were far and few, but if at the end of the season it brings us a promotion Hughes has done what was expected of him, now if you're asking me which type of football i'd prefer Stuart McCall;s nearly season or Hughes pedestrian football no contest.

 

Folk have short memories of what the football was like that season under Parky. Not too dissimilar to how we are playing now in that defensively we were solid. As Fordy said, this is the business end of the season coming. Don't matter how you get those points on the board.

 

There was a lot more wing and goalmouth action with Parky not so secure at the back but much better to watch certainly at home

 

Tbf we were progressing in the cup at the same time look what happened after the the final

 

Don't get me wrong, getting home at 2am on Wednesday morning without seeing a shot on target does test your resolve as a fan but what we are doing is working. Yeah i'd have loved to see us gain 3 points today and at Walsall but thats not how seasons go, you don't win every game. Every game now till the end of the season are huge.

 

Tbf we were progressing in the cup at the same time look what happened after the the final

 

And yet we've picked up far more points at this stage than Parky did.

 

People think you can just flick between styles like changing TV channels but generally you stick with what works. I agree we struggle to dominate teams, especially at home but i ain't getting despondant, this is the best chance of promotion fo0r donkeys years.

 

Is it working at home though?

 

I agree with this but I don't think its for want of trying, its not like were trying to be the Leeds of the70s go a goal up and the opposition know they have a problem breaking us down, unfortunately until quite recently playing two up top was not the way Hughes set his teams up, I think we have been better going forward but your quite right the guys partnering Cook or having licence to get forward have contributed little with regards goals.

 

Without doubt or home form is our achilles heel and I agree Hughes formations don't help but as @Rogered Tart says league two players IMO don't have the ability to change systems/formations from game to game, now is the time for the players to grasp the nettle and secure us an auto place.

 

Hands up who wants Adamzzzzball or BowyerS ball back. Not for me. We have steady midfielders for Sparkyball but heavy possession based footy limits the opposition to a degree. It’s far from perfect but as you said this seems our best chance to get up for some time. Come on guys points make prizes.

 

For sure, and that hasn't evaded me by any means, but the cups are over for the season and what matters is the league.

I'm happy to see we're not desperately chasing 7th waiting for other teams to drop a shed load of points.

Aren't you?