Game 4 - The Exiles (A)

Team: Newport County

Date: 21/08/18

Where: Rodney Parade

What line-up should Kevin Nolan opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

Difficult game Newport, they know how to play on home soil and will most likely sit back for the draw.

If this happens and Notts push to win, I feel Newport could end up scoring two or more goals on the break. I'm not very confident about any points being picked up here but I hope the season can finally start.

Notts just needs to start as they did against Yeovil, yet ensure they're marking and aware at the back.

If the players can make the work rate within the first 30 minutes, I think Notts will get their rewards but it's all dependant on Fitzsimons and the defence. I can't see Newport throwing bodies like Yeovil did at us, so it will be a completely different game.

I'm worried that Nolan doesn't see the midfield issues. Crofts will smash us in midfield. If Nolan says Vaughan and Husin can tackle, why don't they do it. 

Quick start needed. That has become mandatory in every game so far. Take the pressure off the defence. 

This just became the most important game so far and for me is a must win it’s as simple as that for me.

I'm just going to hope Notts can win but I can see it ending as a draw very easily.

The defense clearly is not working and neither is the keeper so I think this will be a means of attacking becomes defending. Thomas has to use his pace against an old David Pipe to his advantage and Vaughan has to find these passes through and around the back. They don't have too many threats IMO but we need to get a win here otherwise questions and pressure will start to mount on Nolan and I dont think Hardy has the bollocks to address these issues. I am being hopeful and I think it will be Newport County 2 - 4 Notts County. Lets utilize Boldewjin and Thomas and get the season rolling COYP!!!

I hope you're right @samwatto2008

2-0 Nots win.

It will be another iffy performance but I expect goals to come. The defence will hold out and Fitzsimons will keep a clean sheet. The start for things to improve.

im hoping for a win but i cant see it happening.

if notts lose i will be going offline for quite some time because the meltdown will takeover.

If Kevin had the players use their feet more and defend by clearing the ball at any cost, then to play the pretty football it would take the pressure off. I wished Notts had an Andy Legg type player, someone who could take the ball from the centre backs and make use of it.

None of the defenders are exactly ball players are they?

I'm hoping for the first win, I don't see Newport as a strong team but they have a few dangerous players known to me.

Notts should focus on working hard.

A chance will come and if they remain tight at the back I can see a victory for the black and white army.

I think Newport might try to bully Notts and make the game physical, if things get messy I can see us being the team that suffers.

Several of the Notts players react badly.

At the moment I don't think I can call the score but I am nervous.

I wouldn't begrudge a draw, as Kevin Nolan says we are a team in transition but it must come having defended well.

I can't wait to see the team selection for this one. KN found out a lot about the team on Friday and we'll be able to see what conclusions he's drawn. Surely it'll be about steadying the ship and getting a clean sheet. A hard-fought 1-0 win will be just what the doctor ordered.

If Notts attack Newport like they did in the opening minutes against Newport they will struggle.

I just feel they have some imposing players who will look to break up the play with silly challenges. I am expecting a draw considering and it wouldn't surprise me if it ended 0-0.

1 hour ago, BromPie said:

I wouldn't begrudge a draw, as Kevin Nolan says we are a team in transition but it must come having defended well.

I would take a draw from a solid performance but I am hopeful for a win.

I have to hope Notts can get their first win against Newport, if they lose this could be one of the worst league starts for years.

i think it will be a difficult game if the support is not vocal that will only add to it, the notts followers should be behind the team. the encourage i do feel could make the difference, i am starting to get nervous tho and i worry about newport scoring first.

im not sure notts could bounce back from conceding first just yet.

Get the ball down and allow the midfield to do their jobs, be smarter in possession and tighter to the opposition when our of it.

Any early goal for Notts would be vital.

It would be a big boost in grabbing the first league win and dealing with the oppositions attack properly would make things a lot easier. Notts have had a poor start but against Newport County it could start to improve. 2-0 Notts win, Hemmings and Vaughan to score.

I am nervous but hopeful myself, I think things will turn around.

I hope we can get more than a draw.

A couple of Newport County fans I have spoken to have said how they're not that impressed with their own side but that they work hard to at least get a point. I think they've won one, drawn another and lost.

Hopefully the confidence of our players can be focused on getting the points Notts needs.

I think the score will be narrow, so maybe 1-0.

Time to get on with things and focus in doing right by the performance on the pitch, the biggest issue has been players switching off and not tracking back to defend. Newport has to be different.

Only those inside the dressing room know how things have gone since last week. All we can do is hope that areas have been addressed and we have the players fit enough to take up the challenge. 

I think we all know the potential of the team if and when things click into position but whether we are there yet, we won’t know until after the game. 

I am hoping for the best outcome which would be 3 points, if we get a performance and a draw I suppose it could be the beginning of better things to come but I wish with all my heart that we could get a good performance and 3 points for the sake of the players and especially Kevin Nolan who has been put through the mill recently because he tried to do his best for the club (and the supporters) by bringing in better players who are taking time to adjust.

1 - 1 ...... Dennis

4 hours ago, Truefootballfan said:

Only those inside the dressing room know how things have gone since last week. All we can do is hope that areas have been addressed and we have the players fit enough to take up the challenge. 

If it's true that Kevin Nolan has spoken to each player, I would certainly expect a response from them.

I'm just hoping they can get the first win but I do agree a draw seems likely.