Bradford had not won in the league since Cook last played a month ago.

Stats shmats.
Norwich had more than double Plymouth’s possession yesterday.
Plymouth were 4-0 up at HT and finished up winning 6-2.

Joking aside,we both know how different the Grimsby and Harrogate draws (unbeaten) were compared with yesterday’s performance.
Admittedly Newport were poor but maybe we made them look poor with our previously much maligned (by me) “front foot” approach.

I know which starting 11 I prefer.

 

Paid no attention to the game yesterday as was otherwise busy. Other than the return of Cook, what else did we tinker that yielded a fantastic result?

McDonald over Smallwood? Was it a flat back four?

Reading we hit more crosses into the box for once. That sounds much more like it.

 

I think it’s because Hugh Jackman was at the game. He was spotted in Wetherspoons after the match wearing a Cook shirt, enjoying a few pints with fans, signing autographs and demonstrating his claw technique to those who asked.

 

Apologies but the point is valid.

We had all summer knowing we were short in that area so I don't see why we couldn't attract someone capable rather than automatically assuming the signing would be simply for "quantity".

 

Went back to the 4231. McDonald and Gilly were great as a pairing in midfield. Main difference, when Walker, Odour or Tulloch got the ball, rather than just passing back and building in phases like we have all season (badly), all 3 were turning and going towards the defenders. Speed of attack was the main difference for me.

Some shocking defending from Newport, but you still have to put the chances away and we did, very well.