Tisdale on Newport defeat: “A lot of players showed that they are good players”

A 3 match winning start at home this season, was brought to an abrupt halt by a well organised Newport County side. Exeter City finish the day in 9th place in League 2.

From a brilliant away win at Northampton Town, the Grecians were unable to overcome a resolute Newport County at home. The Grecians with a 100% home record this season, and Newport County without an away meant the Grecians started as favourites.

To everyone’s surprise Exeter lined-up without the influential Sam Parkin, who was injured, so, O’Flynn started. While Exeter started well, it’s all about taking your chances, which Newport County did, taking the lead on 23 minutes. Exeter rarely worried ex-Grecian Lenny Pidgeley in goal other than one fine shot from Liam Sercombe in the first half, despite having to chase the game. Inevitably Newport doubled their lead on 70 minutes and Exeter, despite the introduction of Moore-Taylor and Reid were unable to restore any pride. Scot Bennett coming the closest with an attempt cleared off the line.

There were no standout performances from Exeter City, so the sponsors unsurprisingly awarded man of the match to Sercombe.

Quote and links

Official Match Report:- http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/

Cheggers Pics: http://exetercityfc.newsprints.co.uk

90 minutes in 9-0 seconds here on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7J-WGYu43o

Paul Tisdales’s thoughts:-

It’s a disappointing loss, of course. They were an opponent that played very tough and fought for everything they got – fair play to them.

We had the lion’s share of the passing, but it’s about what you do in the penalty boxes. We didn’t hit the target often enough, we didn’t cross well enough and we didn’t defend our six-yard box well enough.

A lot of players showed that they are good players today, but it’s about the team being effective and productive and they have to do what I ask them to do.  If that doesn’t work, then I’ll change it – but they didn’t do what they were asked to do. It’s not about whether players are on their game – it’s about whether they do the collective thing to get what I need.

Paul Tisdale on Scot Bennett:-

If I’d had two of [Scot Bennett], I would have put two of him up front Maybe next time Sam Parkin is missing, maybe we will have to look at Scot Bennett up front because he was the standout player again and he was our best striker at the end.

We put him in those situations every week in training when we need to. I’m hoping that we won’t be chasing two-goal deficits with 15 minutes to go! But he was our most potent attacker at the end.

He’s tough, he leads play, he reacts extremely quickly to situations – he’s an absolute footballer. He can score goals and he can defend goals, and if I had three or four of him they would be playing.