Missed Chances: Newport 1-0 Imps

First of all, I want to commend the excellent travelling support. Even on the terraces there’s a party atmosphere and defeat won’t have worried many watching the game, nor those who chose to remain in the club bar and have a few drinks to celebrate out title win. It’s been 43 years coming, I think people can be forgiven for celebrating. The players could be forgiven too, but that’s not up to me, it’s up to Danny.

There’s one or two I think still have an uncertain future, even those under contract. If we’re going to fund a push up the table and someone comes in with a big bid for a player, are we going to say no? If it’s a League One club we’re unlikely to sell, but I believe one or two of ours are on Championship club’s radars. If there’s a bid for Harry or Bruno, as ambitious as we are, there’s a chance we could cash in and invest. I’m not privy to information and I may be well adrift but it’s something to be aware of.

I think we can all agree Mark O’Hara would be a fine acquisition, but other than that I’m not as sold on our loan players staying. I don’t mean I wouldn’t want them too, Danny Rowe is a very good footballer, but I don’t see him as someone we simply ‘have’ to bring in. O’Hara is different, he’s a big midfielder, good on his toes and in the air. If we sign one, it’s got to be him and I thought he had a good game today.

I don’t think we were particularly awful today, not at all. I also don’t think there’s anything to learn from today. I know we’ve lost and I know we’re not on a great run, but our management team know what is needed at the next level and the players know what is expected. We were unlucky not to get a point today and maybe a more clinical striker partnering John (not replacing) would have seen us over the line. That’s the priority.

I wonder also if the team selection might point to Matt Gilks not getting a fresh deal or perhaps not wanting one. It’s interesting to see Josh back once we’ve secured the title and there’s got to be a thinking behind that. I like Gilks and believe that we need two top class keepers at the club. I like Grant Smith, but would I be happy to see him on a ten game run in League One? I’m not so sure. Gilks, yes. Vickers, absolutely.

We go into next weekend knowing it’s another time to celebrate, more cheers, more lauding the management team and staff, more reminiscing on fans no longer with us and of course, enjoying the moment with those that are. We’ll learn nothing from the result, just as with today’s game. We know what we need to know, we know what is expected, what is needed and how big the step up is going to be. Now is not the time to be asking questions, certainly not from the fans perspective. Danny Cowley, he’s paid to ask the questions, he’s paid to make the decisions, but whether we won 10-0 today or lost 5-4, it didn’t really matter.

We’re champions, enjoy it and don’t let a defeat ruin your evening. On this one occasion, I think you’re safe to feel alright at a failure to get three points.

On another note, how sad to see a late Ilias Chair goal ruining Mansfield’s day, to see Scunthorpe losing at home to a side already relegated and to see how unpopular Steve Evans is at Gillingham even though he’s only rumoured to be their new manager. Then we have Bury up for sale, Yeovil relegated, Notts County still in real danger, Bolton cancelling fixtures and a £4m striker not enough to get a team automatic promotion out of League One.

Think on all of that before you feel a bit mopey this evening.