NEWPORT County AFC went down to a 3-1 defeat to League Two leaders Plymouth Argyle on Saturday as goalkeeper Joe Day was sent off and Graham Carey scored two penalties either side of Jon Parkin’s superb equalizer before Jordan Slew added the third. Here’s what we learned.

1. Manager not afraid to criticize his players

Graham Westley spent almost an hour with the players in the dressing room after the final whistle and was critical of Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and Kyle Cameron when he eventually emerged to speak to the media.

The new manager highlighted the naivety of youth but experienced campaigners Joe Day, Darren Jones and Scot Bennett must share the blame for defeat.

2. And he’s tough on his own son too

“I watch my 11-year-old playing football on a Sunday and he doesn’t really know whether he’s won or lost the game,” said Westley, expanding on his worries about youth development in British football.

“What he knows is that he’s done some nice things with the ball. I make it very clear to him, whether he’s won or lost the game, the things he’s done with and without the ball.”

3. Jon Parkin can still silence opposition fans

As usual the big man got plenty of stick from the travelling fans and with more than a thousand making the trip from Plymouth it wasn’t subtle.

But he produced a sublime piece of skill to score one of the goals of the season in front of the away end, which was temporarily stunned into silence.

4. Not enough of a goal threat

But County can’t rely on Parkin’s pearlers to be competitive in League Two.

Just two goals in the last six games and 11 in 12 overall means there are worries at both ends of the pitch for the new gaffer.

5. Fans backing their side

The warm applause after the final whistle shows that the home supporters are prepared to give Westley and the players time to get things right.

But with the Exiles already seven points from safety how long that patience lasts remains to be seen.