Boz
Member
- Joined
- 30 Sep 2005
- Messages
- 8,921
- Player
- Iain Hume
Rovers looked the better side, but Pools had a couple of good chances. It was telling that our best goal attempts came from midfielders in McAlear and Hawkes, while Nevitt industrious but fluffed his lines, Mumbongo isn't match ready and Hemmings was strangely subdued. I think we do need a couple more additions including a striker, to give more options.
Defensively Jamieson had a very good first half and Byrne probably his best game in a Rovers shirt against his old club. I'd agree that we didn't look nearly as comfortable when switching to a back four. I haven't seen Hockenhull play, but we've had youngsters (Jamieson and Robinson) as two of the back three already, so if he's as capable as suggested when we signed him, why not stick with three at the back? As Turnbull's likely to be out for at least 7 days with concussion, that's a decision to be re-visited for Newport.
I agree with RLC that the quality of the football away from home tonight was a significant improvement on last season and the players were looking for opportunities to try and attack. There are signs that the new more positive approach is working, but we all knew it wasn't going to be an instant fix.
Defensively Jamieson had a very good first half and Byrne probably his best game in a Rovers shirt against his old club. I'd agree that we didn't look nearly as comfortable when switching to a back four. I haven't seen Hockenhull play, but we've had youngsters (Jamieson and Robinson) as two of the back three already, so if he's as capable as suggested when we signed him, why not stick with three at the back? As Turnbull's likely to be out for at least 7 days with concussion, that's a decision to be re-visited for Newport.
I agree with RLC that the quality of the football away from home tonight was a significant improvement on last season and the players were looking for opportunities to try and attack. There are signs that the new more positive approach is working, but we all knew it wasn't going to be an instant fix.