County boss Justin Edinburgh admits there may be no more arrivals

7:00am Friday 25th January 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Michael Pearlman

PESSIMISTIC: County boss Justin Edinburgh PESSIMISTIC: County boss Justin Edinburgh

NEWPORT County boss Justin Edinburgh believes there is a strong possibility he won’t be able to make any further signings in the January transfer window, the Argus can reveal.

The Exiles have already added Christian Jolley and Robbie Willmott since the winter window opened and Edinburgh had been keen to boost his options further with the signing of a defender.

He was priced out of a move for Forest Green Rovers’ Chris Todd, the New Lawn outfit refusing to negotiate with the Exiles and instead allowing him to join Eastleigh on a free transfer.

County also made enquiries about Northa-mpton defender Anthony Charles but the player opted to instead remain in the Football League with Plymouth Argyle.

Edinburgh has also been rebuffed in an effort to sign two attacking players from a rival Conference club.

And with less than a week remaining until the January 31 deadline (at 11pm) the former Tottenham defender is warning fans that they might not get the belated Christmas present they’ve all been wishing for.

“At the moment, not only is nothing happening but nothing looks likely to happen either,” a frustrated Edinburgh said.

“A couple we’ve gone in for haven’t worked out for different reasons and currently there is no-one who we are looking at and thinking ‘they’d really improve this squad.’ “And unless they do, what is the point in making any more signings?

“I’ve made it clear that I won’t just spend money for the sake of it and this isn’t a time when lots of good players are available.

“We will continue to search right until the last minute but I wouldn’t put any money on us signing anyone at all.”

Edinburgh and director of football Tim Harris discussed potential targets yesterday and the manager will use his free weekend to scout rivals Grimsby Town, who face Cambridge United.

However, Edinburgh isn’t expecting anything to change in terms of his transfer plans.

“Who knows what can happen on January 31, but at the moment I just don’t see it,” he said. “We want to strengthen if we can, but it’s not an easy thing to do.”

Comments(31)

RSATaffy says...
8:29am Fri 25 Jan 13

What about giving Forest Green the finger and offering a fee to Eastleigh now that Todd is their player? Or have FG put a clause in the trasfer preventing that. I'm not sure that our current defense will keep us in a play-off slot.

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netala says...
9:47am Fri 25 Jan 13

well it seems J.E. didn`t listen to the fans, who saw the need for defenders back in sept. and oct. he only as himself to blame. arrogance or ignorance can a dangerous weapon to hold in your hands

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llandaff says...
9:58am Fri 25 Jan 13

Is this really the comments of the manager of the team third in the league? Can it be true that with our fantastic new ground and facilities no-one wants to come and play for us? Allegedly this is either a stitch up by the other clubs or urgent questions must now be asked about the capabilities of the negotiators. Please put the white flag down and pull your fingers out. We need more defenders now!

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jetspotter says...
11:20am Fri 25 Jan 13

Agree with all the above but would have thought the obvious answer is to re-organise the defense to fit the players we have. As I keep repeating J.E. was a top class defender and surely he of all people knows that nearly all good football teams are built from the back. If it means playing more defensively so what ? We only need score one to win if we don't concede and that is surely our best bet at the moment. I find all this helter skelter stuff bad for my ageing nerves so I'd be happy to see a change in style !!

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netala says...
1:14pm Fri 25 Jan 13

how do you re-organise your defence when we don`t have enough defenders. i`ve not disguised that fact that we don`t have enough defenders. our two full backs, are attacking wing halves, the central defender i.e. mr. hughes is not good enough for this division, before you shout me down, he is still learning his trade.we need defenders with experience, we don`t have time to gamble on inexperience. we see promotion within our grasp , and we want it ,NO demand it

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Clever Trevor says...
2:17pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Well i seem to remember fans calling for Byron Anthony,Local lad comes home etc,expierenced football league player etc,look what happened there,the same can be said of Jolley,there was an outcry,everyone saying that this one signing would take us up,well can someone tell me what he's doing that Thompson can't do.
I agree with JE,whats the point in increasing the squad and not improving what weve got.It seems that 2500 fans can spot a player but JE can't,let him do his job.

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larneman says...
4:10pm Fri 25 Jan 13

We would have a good defence if they stayed in defence instead of going walkabout. i.e. Pipe taking a throw in level with the opposition penalty area. Then a quick breakout happens and our defence is torn apart. If the back 4 stayed as a back 4 and let the midfield supply the strikers through consistant good passing instead of the big boot up field we could play a lot better and get better results which may also include a clean sheet now and then.

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Adrian Williams says...
4:32pm Fri 25 Jan 13

I know we're all frustrated with erratic performances of late and the inability to keep clean sheets, but give the man some credit at least - he's saved us from relegation, taken us to Wembley and guided us to top of the league in the space of 15 months, so he ain't doing a bad job !

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Clever Trevor says...
4:34pm Fri 25 Jan 13

larneman wrote:
We would have a good defence if they stayed in defence instead of going walkabout. i.e. Pipe taking a throw in level with the opposition penalty area. Then a quick breakout happens and our defence is torn apart. If the back 4 stayed as a back 4 and let the midfield supply the strikers through consistant good passing instead of the big boot up field we could play a lot better and get better results which may also include a clean sheet now and then.
Correct,but fans don't want that,if the 2 fullbacks have to bail out the midfield by getting forward,no-one thinks of the concequences if it breaks down.
You have to laugh at the snipes at Hughes,tell me what he can't do what the others can,after all he's at least 10 years younger than the rest of the back 4,my only critism would be,he tends to look for a pass instead of putting his foot through the ball ala Yak style.

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Tony Soprano says...
5:50pm Fri 25 Jan 13

In Justin we trust!! please stop the negative posts!!

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COUNTYVOICE says...
6:10pm Fri 25 Jan 13

unfortunately a solid defence does win matches, CLEAN SHEETS do matter in the end .

how many games are we going to have against the sides around us where theres is only going to be one goal in it.

the side that wins takes the lead and is able to defend that lead for 3 points and a clean sheet.

grimpsy are top because they have only conceded about 20 goals in all 27 games.

county are close to 40 +, there is no point in going over the old chestnut but yes look at the goals we v scored, that means nothing if the team conceded just as many

other sides around us +24, county on +14.

the last 18 league games somebody worked out 5 wins, 3 draws and 8 defeats.

something is not right there that is not being picked up, something that wasnt there in the first 17 games.

and with o connor out for a month , where are the goals going to come from.

hopefully from jolley and willmotts, crow though a team player,and great at doing that i cannot see being prolific.

i agree with the contributor from above , the defensemust stay in their positions , and let the midfield provide the ammunition for the strikers.

the long ball games DOESNOT work . intelligent midfield balls do.and BALL RETENTION instead of giving it away so cheaply all the time.

watched swansea and their passing style and patient build up the other day , was very impressed. and a pleasure to watch

no more signings in the window , THAT IS DISAPPOINTING.

mr edinburghs your no compromise on principles could cost county promotion.

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mikewelsh says...
10:58pm Fri 25 Jan 13

netala wrote:
well it seems J.E. didn`t listen to the fans, who saw the need for defenders back in sept. and oct. he only as himself to blame. arrogance or ignorance can a dangerous weapon to hold in your hands
Keith Oakes anyone?

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venga says...
9:25am Sat 26 Jan 13

Well, if we can't get defenders then spend some money on hiring a good defence coach. All good professionals in all walks of life have regular assessments of performance with action plans to put right weak points in the service they deliver. Our defenders are not delivering so come on JE splash some cash on coaching,

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ohc says...
9:26am Sat 26 Jan 13

I find it sad that a Welsh football Club only a few miles from a Welsh Premier League Club and another which looks as if it will be Premier next season cant get loan players from them

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COUNTYVOICE says...
11:14am Sat 26 Jan 13

we already got the best defensive coach in this league MR EDINBURGH

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the dork says...
12:26pm Sat 26 Jan 13

sad

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Tony Soprano says...
3:22pm Sat 26 Jan 13

I find it sad that a Welsh football Club only a few miles from a Welsh Premier League Club and another which looks as if it will be Premier next season cant get loan players from them

What benefit would Swansea get from loaning us players? surely if they've got fringe players they want them playing at a higher level than the Conference so they'd gain enough experience to either break into the Swansea 1st team or be good enough to be sold on to clubs elsewhere in the Football League.

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llandaff says...
4:18pm Sat 26 Jan 13

Just seen the Blue Sq Premier website. Ebbsfleet have just signed DEFENDER Gareth Gwillim from AFC Wimbledon in order "to strengthen the side." Why didn't County go for him at the same time as Jolley? Ebbsfleet obviously think he was worth going for! Plus Forest Green have just signed central DEFENDER Dale Bennett from Watford replacing Chris Todd. Why are County not able to secure such players? It is just beyond me.

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AMBERLING says...
6:06pm Sat 26 Jan 13

It does seem strange we are unable to find or attract suitable defenders, on loan at least ! I can't help thinking we should have addressed this problem before the season started, though.
Brendan Rodgers took some flack for leaving his team short on strikers but at least he had one, which is not the case with County and their full back situation - madness from the start ! The fact that it was JE's position makes it even more mystifying, and if he's the best defensive coach in this division (as stated above), I think he seriously needs to go back to school !

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jetspotter says...
6:41pm Sat 26 Jan 13

Complete change of subject so apologies but I've just spoken to my 16 year old lad who is working as a stable lad at a racing stable near Swindon. He played his second darts match for his local pub a couple of nights ago and found himself playing a singles against former world champion Bob Anderson !! I think that's was known as being thrown in the deep end ! Anyway he lost the match but in one leg had a hundred and thirty odd finish to win. First two darts went home but the third hit the wire and bounced out. Bob Anderson then checked out with a hundred and seventy something finish and turned to my lad and said don't worry kid I've been playing this game for a long long time. Nothing to do with County but it amused me !!

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COUNTYVOICE says...
8:08pm Sat 26 Jan 13

I was being ironic when i said we had the best defensive coach in the conference

he is certainly not showing is defensive experience.

only attack attack attack

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larneman says...
9:06pm Sat 26 Jan 13

I see that Grimsby could only get a draw today. they must be missing Hannah an on loan striker who was their top goalscorer. Good news for County. If someone had said to me at the start of the season that County would be in the top 5 half way through the season I would have said BRILLIANT !!! there is still a long way to go and on their day County can beat the best..

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jetspotter says...
9:33pm Sat 26 Jan 13

Yes I think we are all absolutely made up with where we are and that's why we are so desperate not to see it all thrown away when we are within touching distance of league football again.

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RSATaffy says...
10:01am Sun 27 Jan 13

I think that everyone is desperate to see the county back in the league and the negtivity is a result of that. I think we should leave Justin to do his job. It's obvious that we need improvements in defence but Justin and Tim are probably best qualified to assess whether a player is better than what we have at present and whether the price asked is realistic. I'm sure Justin wants to get promotion as badly as the fans because it enhances his status as a manager.

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llandaff says...
10:37am Sun 27 Jan 13

We are only where we are because of the fantastic form shown prior to 9th October and obviously one man......... O'Connor! Since then we have lived a charmed life being highly dependent on the teams around us performing as badly as we are. The team's attitude appears to have fallen away since then as well with several players getting a little too big for their boots! Performances, so called, primarily in the midfield, have tailed off with the likes of the superb O'Connor constantly having to race all over the place, out of position, just to get the ball. If I see one more game where the ball is constantly being hoofed up the field I will not come to anymore matches. I feel there must quite a few who feel the same way, especially coupled with the half hearted approach to getting more defenders. If it is true that we cannot get anyone else (really?),what is needed now is the PATIENT build ups with the slick passing we saw earlier in the season, not a cavalry charge where we lose possession. The other sides (even the minnows!) now know County's single minded "tactic" and are catching us out at the back and beating us. It is now time to change the strategy, go back to basics and beat the other teams with the ball firmly on the floor,THINKING about every move! Greater thought also needs to be given to the timing of substitutions. They are being made far too late in the game. If a player is obviously out of it an early stage there is no point in waiting until the 85th minute to replace him. JE it is down to you and the lads. The supporters crave success, the question is are you really good enough?

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jetspotter says...
1:05pm Sun 27 Jan 13

I'm sure you're right RSAT Taffy that J.E. is as desperate for success as the fans both for his own pride and for the sake of his future career. He just seems unable to find a style of football which suits the players he has brought in and which has the authentic ring of a promotion challenging team about it. I'm in almost full agreement with Lladdaff's thoughtful and measured contribution. To me the team are no longer playing the slick football of early season partly because of heavier pitches but mainly because there is a lack of confidence both among the defenders themselves and because the rest of the team have no confidence that the defenders will win the ball and distribute it in a forward looking and measured way. Lack of confidence leads to the desire to clear the lines as quickly as possible and so we are reduced to hoofing the ball upfield in the hope of scoring yet another wonder goal like the many we put away earlier in the season. J.E. needs to somehow restore the confidence and get the players (as Llandaff says) back to the solid basics. Trouble is as J.E. has mentioned before players at this level are not always the sharpest knives in the drawer which is of course why they find themselves playing at this level !!

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cambridge4x4 says...
1:34pm Sun 27 Jan 13

On Saturday watched the entire Norwich vs Luton game.
I could not believe how good Luton looked on TV. No long balls down the middle but football on the ground and wide out to both wings . It was great stuff. A back four who wanted to die for the club .
Obviously they have improved a lot.
JE and the players should sit down on Monday morning and take a look at this video .What an improvement ---not sure who they signed in January.This is what we need 110% effort and want to win .

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COUNTYVOICE says...
1:54pm Sun 27 Jan 13

the barrow highlightes showed how cheaply the second goal was given away.

loose ball in midfield gives the ball away to a barrow attacker, and with county "defense" horribly out of position they move forward two passes and bang in the back of the net.

i think just before the shot there were 4 barrow players in the area to county's 3.that from a team at the bottom.

county are being caught out too many times like this and its proving costly.

im still not a big fan of JULIAN. as a shot stopper he seems very good , but his bruce grobellar style indecision is causing confidence issues among the defenders.

you need to trust in your goalie and he just doesnt inspire confidence, with his gaffs.

there is a confidence issue around there , sometimes they believe in themselves again (hyde) and other times they lose that confidence (jekyll)

the other playoff and promotion rivals are slowing catching county, good win for FOREST GREEN, so a slide may be around the corner unless things pick up

i sincerely hope tuesday is the start, but they had a cracking 4=2 win away on saturday , so county WATCH OUT.

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AMBERLING says...
4:07pm Sun 27 Jan 13

llandaff wrote:
We are only where we are because of the fantastic form shown prior to 9th October and obviously one man......... O'Connor! Since then we have lived a charmed life being highly dependent on the teams around us performing as badly as we are. The team's attitude appears to have fallen away since then as well with several players getting a little too big for their boots! Performances, so called, primarily in the midfield, have tailed off with the likes of the superb O'Connor constantly having to race all over the place, out of position, just to get the ball. If I see one more game where the ball is constantly being hoofed up the field I will not come to anymore matches. I feel there must quite a few who feel the same way, especially coupled with the half hearted approach to getting more defenders. If it is true that we cannot get anyone else (really?),what is needed now is the PATIENT build ups with the slick passing we saw earlier in the season, not a cavalry charge where we lose possession. The other sides (even the minnows!) now know County's single minded "tactic" and are catching us out at the back and beating us. It is now time to change the strategy, go back to basics and beat the other teams with the ball firmly on the floor,THINKING about every move! Greater thought also needs to be given to the timing of substitutions. They are being made far too late in the game. If a player is obviously out of it an early stage there is no point in waiting until the 85th minute to replace him. JE it is down to you and the lads. The supporters crave success, the question is are you really good enough?
I totally agree with llandaff, it's "right before your very eyes" as the old showmen used to say - but not JE's it seems!
Constantly conceding possession with hopeful, long balls isn't the answer and now, without even O'Connor to chase them, we definitely need to change. Question is what have the coaching staff got to offer ? We certainly ran out of ideas against Barrow (and a few others !) when we employed this tactic. The players are floundering a bit now and need some direction.
With such a vulnerable defence and an unsure 'keeper, if we can't strengthen it, coaching is a vital tool in the final stretch .Trying to just out score the opposition is a risk too far, we need to be a bit more solid and organized as a team. How, and if, we achieve this will test the mettle of everyone, and could make all the difference to our final position. Just(in) hope you've got what it takes, but don't leave it too late .....PLEASE !

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COUNTYVOICE says...
5:39pm Sun 27 Jan 13

get back to a solid 4-4-2 formation .

swallow and willmotts on the wings, max porter and mike flynn in the centre.

jolley and crowe up front . pidgely in goal , guy deserves another chance.

yakubu and james in the centre of defence with sandell and pipe at full backs, and the defense stays in their positions, and let the midfield provide the width and the defense splitting passes to the forward line.

no star wars style long balls, o connor is not going to be in the side for a month , so ON THE GROUND.

retain possession and dont give the ball away cheaply.

in other words BACK TO BASICS.

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Rodneyboy says...
7:40pm Sun 27 Jan 13

Definately need Len Pidgley back in goal.The failures of Alan Julian to control his area cannot instill any confidence in his defence.I also feel that the layout of the team that Countyvoice has put forward is not far off the mark,withh O'coonor replacing Crow when he is fit.

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