Townsend stopped N&T getting their noses in front which with the confidence they had pre game from a very good run would have made for a very difficult night. Defence generally did well but Townsend had the stand out moments

Townsend.

So far

Townsend 15
Sheehan 11
Haynes 1
Inniss 1
Amond 1

Keep them coming.

Townsend, the difference between winning and losing.
Chris

Thought Sheehan looked a different class .... if he only he could have some help in there.

Mcnamara is first choice rb at the moment he was cup tied and Leadbitter is injured. Solid senior fa cup debut in difficult circumstances. Lost 2 central defenders and kept a clean sheet going onto win the game, yep its a real defensive crisis.

Sheehan

Townsend for me.

Sheehan clearly the best outfield player and Townsend has made me anxious when picked over King, but he proved me very wrong last night.

supporter wrote:Mcnamara is first choice rb at the moment he was cup tied and Leadbitter is injured. Solid senior fa cup debut in difficult circumstances. Lost 2 central defenders and kept a clean sheet going onto win the game, yep its a real defensive crisis.

I see your argument but......

Newport County were playing a team four divisions below us and it is the Newport County goalkeeper who is leading a poll for our man of the match.

Sheehan for me ( although I don't get this concern that he might leave in January - he's good but is he that good?). Closely followed by Townsend then Haynes.

Sheehan

Dave John wrote:Sheehan for me ( although I don't get this concern that he might leave in January - he's good but is he that good?). Closely followed by Townsend then Haynes.

"That good"

Stan from the comments made it was clearly a choice between Sheehan and Townsend. The point I'm making is once a lower league team gets the luck they need first half when we couldn't make the most of our opportunities and then both your centre half's get taken off it had cup upset written all over it. Also a lot of good character was shown in the last 20-25 minutes. This team who were 4 leagues below us went to a team 4 leagues above them last round and won. Leagues often go out the window in the cup, Leicester were 3 leagues above us last season.

It was a typical FA cup game against a lower league team with their biggest game ever at home.
I have seen far worse performances this season especially recently.
After watching it again today I quite enjoyed the match apart from the Howkins injury.
No idea how we do it but we just have to get the front 3 firing better.
Robbie out wide is the best bet and possibly Nurse on the left out wide another choice.
Plus Labs to hit form again.
It can be sorted.

Pretty tight up the top.

Townsend 17
Sheehan 15

Plus a few singles.