Newport County: Scouting Report

Newport County's disastrous start to the season is only just starting to see a new silver lining, with four draws and two wins under their belts within their last six league games – It’s not so easy to dismiss this struggling League Two team. Impressive victories have come against Bristol Rovers (4-1) and a 3-0 win over promotion favourites Luton Town.

The Monmouthshire (Wales) side are currently 21^st with 19 points, seven away from the relegation zone and only six behind the Magpies.

Run-down of their last six games.

Saturday 21^st October – Bristol Rovers 1 Newport County 4
Saturday 31^st October – Newport County 2 Northampton Town 2
Saturday 14^th November – Accrington Town 2 Newport County 2
Saturday 21^st November – Newport County 0 Yeovil Town 0
Tuesday 24^th November – Oxford United 1 Newport County 1
Saturday 28^th November – Newport County 3 Luton Town 0

The Players – Fact Sheet

Highest Goal Scorers; Scott Boden 6, Lenell John-Lewis 5, Oliver McBurnie 3 and Scott Barrow 2.

Persistent Foulers; Danny Holmes 1 Red Card and 1 Yellow Card, Scott Barrow 4 Yellow Cards, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb 4 Yellow Cards and Matt Partridge 3 Yellow Cards.

The Key Players.

Front pair Scott Boden and Lenell John-Lewis are Newport County’s threats on goal, John-Lewis is one which particularly will require attention. The 5’11 striker can double up as Winger whereby his pace can be put to use.

On-loan Magpie Scott Bennett has also been performing well for the Exiles, with several calm performances being praised with local media.

Zak Ansah currently also on-loan from Championship side Charlton Athletic and is also a player the Notts defence must be aware of.

Style of Play, Strengths, and Weaknesses.

Newport County would be best described as a team which utilises their players as a tight unit, they attempt to suss out their opposition and are not afraid to be direct with their play. However, it’s neither patient or progression based with the tempo aimed to be kept high from the start to finish.

Their strengths are dynamic balls, which off load within deep dropping passes that allow for freely found movement.

As mentioned, they tend to break sides down by mixing their passes – yet frequently play long balls that are placed into no-man’s-land, solely aimed at causing pressure within their oppositions half. These balls are chased so that Newport can keep men behind, which allows them to sustain pressure as they attempt to break sides down.

Weaknesses are mainly the lack of commitment from their defence, as sides appear to be easily able to create chances and combined with stray passes, often as a direct result to them trying to gain ground by hitting long balls to anyone.

And yet, they do not look comfortable trying to sustain a steady flow of possession.

If Notts can dictate the tempo and pass the ball around whilst being careful not to allow the Exiles to keep the ball in the air, chances are likely to present themselves. The key thing I feel the Magpies must focus on is using their width, enabling bodies to be picked out for passes but we must attack directly to avoid being blocked off.