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Newport v Rovers

Newport v Rovers
Posted by Ian
Rodney Parade
Saturday, April 6, 2019 - 03:00 PM
Until: Saturday, April 6, 2019 - 05:00 PM
(Adjusted for timezone: Europe/London)
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A tricky trip to South Wales for Rovers as we look to bounce back from Tuesday's disappointment.

Newport are one of those inconsistent sides that can beat anybody on their day. Their front pairing of Amond and Matt is a real handful, probably as good as any at this level, and they are very strong at Rodney Parade. Add in the inclement weather of the next couple of days and an awful playing surface, and it is clear Saturday's game will be a tough challenge.

I expect Rovers will be unchanged, save perhaps for Pringle coming back into the side. Ishmail Miller is back in training but is nowhere near ready for selection. There were a number of below par performances on Tuesday and I am not sure Mellon will single out individuals.

In normal circumstances a draw in this game would be a very good result, and a point would be enough to keep us on course for the top seven. However, if we still harbour serious ambitions of automatic promotion we need to win, given the even tougher matches that follow.

We have sold about 500 tickets for this one, so I expect there will be another good Rovers following of 7-800.
 
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Edit: Amond is out injured, which is a bonus.

Second edit: Just read somewhere else that he could be available, so presumably smoke and mirrors....
 
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Ian

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Yeah, I wouldn't expect many changes from Tues night although I am expecting a tough game. Newport are still in with a shout for the playoffs. If they win their two games in hand, they'll be on the same points as Forest Green so expect Newport to go looking for all three points. I'm hoping this plays nicely into our hands and they are not as cagey as Oldham were on Tuesday. I think we fair better when teams attack us.

They'll be confident coming off the back of a good 3-1 win away to Yeovil. I hope it's a decent attacking game and we get back to winning ways!
 

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Think Newport will need to adopt a more positive approach than the reverse fixture, when they took an early lead, then stifled us, though to an extent their tactics in that game were a reaction to a hammering in their previous match. As Ian points out,they are real contenders for the play-offs with two games in hand. Also feature ex-Rover Joss Labadie in their ranks.

Important test of Rovers mettle to see if we can get back on track after Tuesday's disappointment. I reckon we need between 6-9 points from the remaining 6 games to make the play-offs, so can't afford to lose this one and ideally will win it. It will be interesting to see how Micky addresses McCullough's absence, given that was part of our downfall at Oldham. My instinct is that Micky will make some adjustment from the starting xi at Oldham, but not quite sure what that will be.

Prediction: a good turnout from the SWA, will see the spoils shared.
 
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For me, this one is too difficult to call. It could go either way with even two or three goals in it. It depends on how we react mentally to Tuesday and how Micky reorganises the side in the absence of McCullough. Five at the back and moving Perkins back are possibilities, but would limited attacking options. He may decide just to leave Harris in place and hope most of the players have a better game.

I agree that a draw would help our play-off attempt but we need a win to make automatic promotion a realistic aim.
 

bigmart

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Another tricky game which we need to win if we are to go up automatically, however I think it will be a draw 1 1
 
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aldo
think pringle might get the nod . just lets get the points we have 4 massive games coming we need the points. a hard 2-0 win for me i thinks
 

Boz

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Smith starts ahead of Harris. Pringle doesn’t even make the bench.
 

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Norwood
Smith starts ahead of Harris. Pringle doesn’t even make the bench.
What's going on with Pringle ? A fall out with MM? Either way we can't afford to have players like that out of the squad.
 
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What's going on with Pringle ? A fall out with MM? Either way we can't afford to have players like that out of the squad.
Mellon is judged on results irrespective of who plays, and we have just won seven in a row.
 

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Mellon is judged on results irrespective of who plays, and we have just won seven in a row.
and just lost 1 in a row; Seriously, I agree 100% that MM is judged on results but unless he is injured to not have him even on the bench is I think very surprising especially as he was on the bench on Tuesday at Oldham. That said, I am hopeful the team will get back to winning ways today - I am going for 2-1 with Banks and Norwood scoring!
 
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and just lost 1 in a row; Seriously, I agree 100% that MM is judged on results but unless he is injured to not have him even on the bench is I think very surprising especially as he was on the bench on Tuesday at Oldham. That said, I am hopeful the team will get back to winning ways today - I am going for 2-1 with Banks and Norwood scoring!
Who knows what has gone on ? Before he came here Pringle said he was disillusioned with football, so it might be similar to the Cole situation. Either way, no reason to simply assume Mellon is to blame. For what it is worth, I would certainly want Pringle in the team.
 

Ian

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Best chance of the game falls for Norwood who heads against the post from a corner on 13 minutes. Come on rovers!
 

Ian

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Bit scrappy so far. Game could do with opening up a bit. Apart from Norwood's chance, Rovers not had much in the way of chances. Newport have had a few set pieces but Rovers defending well so far. Midfield need to get into the game more.
 
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A tight, scrappy game against physical opposition. Rovers have defended well and had the only good chance but we need much more creativity.
 

Ian

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0-0 HT. Well, not a classic, but Rovers fairing quite well. Newport shading possession but doing nothing with it. Just feel if we can get the ball down and feed Norwood and show a bit more composure in the final third, we could snatch this one.
 

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Felt we were disappointing on Tuesday night at Oldham in the final third creating very little. Will be interesting if Mullin gets any action
 
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