New writer Ryan Jewell looks at Newport County’s winter of discontent.
Mention the months of January and February to any Newport County fan and you will quickly see the blood rush away from their face. A cold shock strikes across their body, and it will have nothing to do with winter’s freezing temperatures.
In recent times the winter months have been particularly harsh on the Exiles, with a significant dip in performances and results being all too common. And this winter in particular is no different. The team have only recorded 1 win in 8 league matches since the beginning of January.
This poor run of results has been reflected even further by County’s drop out of the top 3 automatic spots down to sixth place at the time of writing. However, being six points off Cheltenham Town and Walsall suggests that there is still a cause worth fighting for. If you haven’t given up hope that is. If Michael Flynn’s men are able to end this current rot in form.
But what exactly is going so wrong at this current moment in time for the club? As a seasoned County fan I will be outlining the possible causes as to why we’re performing so badly.
No that’s a field for cattle, it’s our pitch
As the witty title suggests, County are having several issues with the pitch at Rodney parade. With home fixtures against Southend and Carlisle being called off due to an unplayable surface.
And in the past few home games against Grimsby, Southend (rearranged fixture) and most recently Forest Green, the “pitch”, if it can be called such a thing, looked more like a miserable rainy day out on the beach down Barry island. Large clumps of sand spread out across the pitch in compensation for the severe and noticeable lack of grass.
The famous Welsh winter mixed in with sharing a ground with two rugby union sides (Newport and Dragons) does not bode well for the condition of a hybrid-pitch. It was installed in 2017 at a cost of £750,000. There were plans for it to be replaced with a new surface ahead of this season, if not for COVID.
County’s struggles with the pitch are nothing new. With the coming of winter often being seen as a signal by County fans for upcoming match cancellations. And so many instances of route one that even Sam Allardyce would get bored.
The passing game blew away opponents at the beginning of the season. Affectionately known as Flynn ball by supporters, it relies on a smooth surface as much as it does players who hold excellent technical qualities. And unfortunately, the condition of the pitch has seriously hampered the ability of the side to play such a style. Passes are literally getting stopped in the mud and failing to find their man.
An example of this can be found in the recent 2-0 loss at home to Forest Green. A back pass from Josh Sheehan failed to reach the keeper Nick Townsend. He was forced to dive into a last-ditch tackle against former County man Jamille Matt resulting in a penalty. That was of course scored by the former Newport striker. And throughout County’s recent home games, there has been a multitude of instances where the teams’ gears have grinded to a stop in the mud.
Missing sweethearts
Besides playing on a pitch which mirrors a world war one battlefield, County’s struggles can also be traced back to the loss of key players during the January window. Most notably the loss of two loan signings who won hearts upon arrival and broke them when they departed.
Brandon Cooper
The first of these two loan signings was Brandon Cooper, a 21-year-old centre back from Porthcawl. Well known by many Wales fans and fans of his parent club Swansea City as a promising young talent. This talent was clear to see down Rodney Parade. Cooper settled into a back 3 alongside Matthew Dolan and Mickey Demetriou. They quickly became the most dominant back line of the league recording 7 clean sheets out of 20 games.
Cooper was recalled by Swansea on the 5th of January 2021. He has since struggled to get a starting spot in the Swans match day line up due to an ankle injury. That could see him missing out on a few months of action as the Swans push for promotion. However, Cooper’s input in County’s team is still sorely missed. Not only his defensive abilities but also his ability to play the ball out from the back.
Scott Twine
However most County fans will argue that the biggest loss came in the form of the recalling of Scott Twine by his parent club Swindon town.
The 21-year-old midfielder was a revelation for the Exiles, quickly moulding himself into the heart of the attack. He claime with 6 goals and 7 assists in the league alone. In the current squad, the closest challenger to Twine’s contributions in front of goal is the 32-year-old forward Podraig Amond with 5 goals. Whilst the nearest challenger to Twine’s assist record is Matthew Dolan and Luke Gambin each with 2 assists.
When Twine was recalled on the 5th of January, the blade which cut open so many defences suddenly became blunt. County have only scoring 7 goals in 8 league games since his departure. If that fact alone is not depressing enough for County fans then Twines current form at Swindon, with 2 goals and 2 assists in 8 appearances, would surely hit the nail further into their hearts.
Issues with the man in charge?
The effect Michael Flynn has had on the club cannot be ignored. From his exploits in beating relegation in the 2016/17 season, the multitude of cup runs which saw home ties against sides such as Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. And giant killings against Leicester and Leeds to name but a few. Even an ill-fated trip to Wembley for the playoff final in the 2018/19 season.
These accomplishments and memories will forever hold a special place in the minds and hearts of every County supporter. However, the suggestion that the fairy-tale is soon near its end and subsequently that greener pastures may lay elsewhere for both parties cannot be ignored.
This season’s struggles are well established however many fans are reporting cases of déjà vu. As County’s current dip in form is reminding fans of last season’s performances.
Last season
At the beginning of the 2019/20 season, Newport County were riding high in the table, recording 7 wins out of 13 games in the league and only recording one loss away to eventually play-off winners Northampton Town. However, after a 3-1 loss away to Colchester United on the 19th of October County only recorded 5 wins out of 22 games which saw them plummet down the table.
The cancellation of the season due to the Coronavirus pandemic saw the league table determined by a points per game system. That awarded County 14th place, a significant fall from their early season positioning.
Whether it is a case of the team lacking in motivation or energy come the final third of the season or the non-existence of a plan B when the current playing style becomes impractical due to a battle-worn pitch. Michael Flynn’s position as head coach, in the current environment, should not be protected from scrutiny even despite his past successes.
When a football club’s form on the pitch is poor, the man under the spotlight has always been the manager. This should not be any different at a club who cannot afford to run on sentimentalism.
However, if Flynn was sacked, the club would face significant difficulties. They would have to pay out a large amount in compensation, due to the 3-year extension Flynn signed in 2019. Add the possible uncertainty which would surround the club in a post Flynn era, and bringing in a new manager would only be feasible if Flynn were himself to leave.
Winter for Newport fans
County’s current run of form is bleak, made worse for fans by the loss of the social aspect of going to watch a match live at the ground. Instead that’s been replaced by bedrooms and living rooms which somehow feel empty and cold.
Football for many is a form of escapism. It provides us with the opportunity to ignore our ills and focus everything on 90 minutes of 22 blokes kicking a ball. Football can give us light in times of darkness. But it can also make us feel even more miserable. The important thing to remember is that, just like life, things in football can change for the better.
Photo Rodney Parade COYB01, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 via Wikimedia Commons