Newport County face Cheltenham Town this Saturday afternoon at Rodney Parade in what is already a colossal game for both sides this early into the season.
Form
The Exiles have had a tough time as of late having beaten what most punters would say are favourites for the League Two title. The opening two games looked strong for Newport, securing a point against Notts County on the opening day followed by a win against recently relegated Crawley Town. However, a 11-game winless streak in all competitions would await them and has put themselves on the backfoot ever since.
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Amber Army though, stunning Welsh giants Cardiff City in the EFL Trophy; the first time both teams had met in 17 years. The game proved to be a springboard for confidence as later that week they would defeat relegation candidates Accrington Stanley 0-1, to lift themselves off the bottom of the League Two table.
Cheltenham continue to make a steady and sturdy start to life under Steve Cotterill; the ex-Robins player and manager has seemingly instilled belief into the players again. A convincing win against Fleetwood Town looked to be a step in the right direction and temporarily made some small space between themselves and the relegation zone.
The Robins did suffer a narrow defeat in the EFL Trophy to Bristol Rovers; the line-up, however, was heavily rotated and allowed players who were returning from injury or had been pushed out under the last regime a chance to prove themselves to the new manager.
Cheltenham fans would have been less than optimistic last week, as they faced high-flying Gillingham – who sat at fourth in the league. The Robins thought they had gotten away with a classic ‘smash and grab’ after taking the lead late on but Gillingham proved why they are challenging for the title; scoring an equaliser in the dying seconds. Whilst it would feel like two points dropped for Cheltenham, they should be happy with taken a point away from home.
HEAD-2-HEAD
In the last five games against each other in all competitions, Cheltenham come out victorious but only slightly. The Exiles have won two and the Robins have won three on the bounce, managing the double over Newport last season.
Both sides boast very similar statistics so far in this league campaign, with both teams sitting on the same points tally of eight and both inside the relegation zone. The last five results in all competitions for both teams are the same; Newport and Cheltenham have three loses, one win and one draw each. The Exiles have conceded 21 goals and scored 11 with Cheltenham conceding 25 and only scoring 7.
Players To Watch…
Matthew Baker – Newport County
The 22-year-old Welshman has become a consistent presence for Newport County and at such a young age. The 6’1” defender has a couple of League Two seasons under his belt at this point and has recently gained the captaincy for the Exiles making him a sure-fire starter for Newport.
Baker utilises his height to great effect, winning over 65% of his aerial duels and has a great ground duel record to match. Those attributes are in part, why Newport have managed to come away with two wins and two clean sheets and will continue to feature.
Able to chip in with goal contributions when needed, Baker already has a goal and assist to his name in the league; making Baker a potential handful for Cheltenham in both halves of the pitch.
Isaac Hutchinson – Cheltenham Town
Hutchinson has continued to make an impact for the Robins since joining on loan from Bristol Rovers. A quick midfielder who can play in a more advanced attacking role, Hutchinson has registered four goals in this campaign with one assist. A risk taker who favours taking shots from outside of the box, his need to test defences at various ranges makes him a menace to opposition defences.
Cheltenham have favoured the 4-3-3 formation since Cotterill has returned and that formation suits Hutchinson’s playstyle as he has the freedom to move forward and express himself whilst he has cover behind him from the experienced Luke Young and Ben Stevenson; almost evolving the line-up into a 4-2-3-1 at times.
Newport will want to keep the in-form Robin isolated if they are to stop him terrorising their net on Saturday.
