NEWPORT County AFC led 1-0 thanks to Ben White's first goal for the club but late lapses of concentration allowed Barnet to claim all three points at Rodney Parade with goals from John Akinde in the 88th minute and Shaquile Coulthirst in the 90th minute. Here's what we learned...
1. Late collapses becoming a bad habit
or the third match in succession County led going into the final 10 minutes and for the third match in succession they failed to secure the win.
After dropping two points against Port Vale and at Accrington Stanley by conceding late equalisers, the Exiles crumbled completely against Barnet to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Michael Flynn admitted afterwards that his players’ game-management is a real problem and accused them of not listening to instructions in the closing stages. What is clear is that 1-0 is not a sufficient lead for his side at present.
2. County at a crossroads
Flynn said he hopes the recent run of three draws and three defeats in six league games is just a blip and that his side will bounce back at Swindon Town on Saturday.
After two successive battles against relegation many fans will understandably be nervously checking how far County are from the bottom two but the boss is still looking up the table towards the play-off places.
His players have to show their true character now and stop the rot as quickly as possible if they are to prove that they really are challengers for a top-seven finish.
3. Time for changes in defence
It may be time to give Mark O’Brien an extended rest to allow his persistent foot injury to clear up once and for all.
When fully fit the Great Escape hero is an excellent defender and one of the first names on the teamsheet but he has been out of sorts in recent weeks – at fault for Port Vale’s equaliser and beaten in the air for both Barnet goals last night.
Scot Bennett is happier in defence and could fill in for O’Brien. But a switch to a back four with Ben White and Mickey Demetriou in the middle could be the answer. White looks less comfortable at left-back or right-back and failed to cut out the cross for both goals last night, and a back four would allow for more width further forward.
4. Joss Labadie’s return a big positive
The one big positive for the Exiles last night was the return to fitness of captain Joss Labadie.
County have won one in eight matches in all competitions since he sustained his hamstring injury against Colchester United on October 17 and he has been sorely missed.
As soon as he replaced the dazed and confused Robbie Willmott there was much greater forward thrust from midfield and the team needs its leader back.
5. Fresh approach needed in attack
Flynn has been reluctant to shake things up in the attacking third in recent months with Frank Nouble, Padraig Amond and Shawn McCoulsky the three main pillars of the attack in that time.
Nouble has two goals in his last four games and will not want to be rested but he is playing through the pain due to a sore Achilles, while Amond appears low on confidence.
It could be worth giving McCoulsky another start, or even Marlon Jackson or Joe Quigley, while Sean Rigg and Lamar Reynolds offer different options if the manager opts to try a new formation.
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