Reading vs Newport County: Match Preview

11/12/2024 03:23 AM

Can the Royals secure a place in the next round of this season's EFL Trophy?

In the game that determines whether we qualify to the knockout stages of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, Newport County stand in our way. The Royals are coming into this match after beating West Ham United under-21s but losing to Cheltenham Town, meaning we must not lose this game in order to qualify.

As I've said previously, the tournament is usually used to play some of the rotation or youth players to see if they can do anything that may allow them to break into the first team. However, in the case of Reading, youth players and rotation players are basically our main squad right now. It's difficult going into this tournament knowing that we may have to play some of our main team, risking injuries, causing detriment to our league standings.

Newport County have not had the best start to League Two, with the Exiles sitting in 16th place. They are third in our group at the moment with the exact same record as Reading: beating West Ham and losing to Cheltenham. They need to win this game to qualify as Reading have a better goal difference.

In this preview I will analyse both teams' games against Cheltenham and then compare performances to see where we may be able to best Newport, and then my predictions.

What? Bristol Street Motors Trophy, matchday three

Season? 2024/25

Who? Newport County

Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium

When? Tuesday November 12

Time? 19:00

Opposition manager? Nelson Jardim

Analysis of Reading vs Cheltenham

This game was a difficult one for Reading fans. In my opinion, this competition isn't my favoured one. The extra games with such a small squad is a bit of a handful. But this doesn't excuse losing to a team in the league below. The players look lethargic, which is understandable given how many games we are having to play.

It was a very young squad which meant I had some doubts about the game. But I saw some bright sparks. I thought the front three played well: Adrian Akande showed some good skill down the right-hand side and Emmanuel Osho has found his position on the left and, similarly, centre-forward Basil Tuma, who I think may be able to get into the main team at some point this season or the next.

It was a good debut for Joe Barough but I don't think that what I call the "Harvey Knibbs role" is one for him. He has the potential to become a good player but potentially not in that role.

My man of the match for that game would have been Ashqar Ahmed. He has really come into his own in that right-back position and I am looking forward to him potentially fully breaking through into the first team.

In terms of the game itself, the Royals were second best for a lot of it. Fewer shots, fewer shots on target, less time with the ball. It was an underwhelming performance. A goal from Tom Pett was enough to seal the deal in the game, meaning Cheltenham have already qualified.

Analysis of Newport County vs Cheltenham

Similarly to Reading, Newport County were second-best against Cheltenham. A first-half goal put Newport County ahead on home soil, but then a red card to the Newport 'keeper then turned the game on its head. Going into the second half, goals in the 67th and 75th minutes meant Cheltenham beat 10-man Newport County.

The first Newport goal was a well worked one. Starting on the right-hand side, the ball was put into the box along the ground. The intended target let the ball go through his legs and then Evans took the shot into the bottom left corner.

The red card was 100% a sending-off. From a Newport corner, Cheltenham had a counter-attack; raging through on goal, the goalkeeper came out to try and clear the ball but connected feet-first to the opposition player's chest just outside the 18-yard box. A clear red card, it was a detriment to the team and the main reason the Exiles then lost the game.

The equaliser then came from a few misjudged clearances. The ball ended up being headed down to the Cheltenham attacker and then he used the outside of his boot to trivela the ball into the right-hand side-netting of the goal.

The winner was a well worked goal. A string of passes then led to a lobbed through ball which split the defence open, allowing the attacker to side-foot the ball into the left-hand bottom corner. An eventual winner from the team that did deserve it.

What can Reading do?

There are a few players who could have an influence on the game.

From watching the highlights, Newport leave some space between their centre-backs and their full-backs. In this position I think that players such as Mamadi Camara and Tuma could prove affective in this kind of position.

Camara likes to cut in when he plays on the left-hand side. He can use the space between Newport's defenders to cut in, allowing him to then either get the ball into the box or have a shot himself.

Tuma, when playing up front, likes to stay slightly just off centre when he looks to receive the ball. This could be good as it wouldn't detriment his game as he usually occupies that space anyway. He could direct his movement in this space, allowing him to get a shot off.

Newport tend to be quite a tidy team: they don't give away too many fouls and their midfield is usually compact. This means they are hard to break down when they do have the ball. They are quite prone to a counter-attack. This means fast-paced players such as Akande and Tuma could prove affective when this may happen.

My lineup

In goal I would have David Button. Although I would like to have Coniah Boyce-Clarke in goal, there's no reason to drop Button right now as he has performed well.

In the defence I would have Ahmed, Louie Holzman, Harlee Dean and Jeriel Dorsett. I would play Dorsett to get him back up to full fitness for after the international break.

The midfield three should be Charlie Savage, Shay Spencer and Michael Craig. I would love to see Craig back in the midfield, but I understand that with him being an influential first-team player he may get rested completely.

I would keep the same front three as we played in the last cup game: Akande, Tuma and Osho.

Score prediction: 2-1 Royals

Make sure to make some noise and support the lads that do play. Get behind the team no matter the tournament or situation.

Come on you Royals!