MANSFIELD 3 COUNTY 0

NEWPORT County AFC boss John Sheridan pulled no punches after his side were beaten 3-0 at Mansfield, admitting his players showed why they are bottom of League Two.

Sheridan got a big response from the players last weekend as the Exiles earned a deserved 1-1 draw with Exeter City, but this was a more familiar sight for County fans based on the season so far.

The Exiles were second best at Field Mill, in every regard other than goalkeeping – Joe Day blameless for the three goals – and Sheridan admitted it gives him big food for thought with the prospect of more signings clearly an option.

“I’ve got to look at things, it’s a tough job, a poor result and I look to the next game and player-wise, it gives me a bit more idea about what I want and who I get,” he said.

“We need to bring in quality; it’s always hard when you’re down there. I believe we can get out of this, but want to see that (belief) in the players.

“We didn’t play until they scored on Saturday, we didn’t get going and it’s no good to see one player one week and the next week he’s performing completely differently.

“I’ve got to look at players and make tough decisions, if I have to bring players in, so be it. If I have to make some tough decisions, I won’t be afraid to do it. Some players are giving me ideas about what I need to do.

“I’ve seen things today that help me know what I’m hopefully going to do going forward.”

Sheridan revealed that he pondered long and hard over his selection, with the decision to leave youngsters Tom Owen-Evans and Aaron Collins out of the squad altogether – both travelled – perhaps backfiring.

“Aaron and young Tom, I wanted my bench a bit stronger in terms of a certain system, it was something I thought hard about,” he said. “I didn’t leave them out because they are young lads. Perhaps I should have trusted my instincts.”

County were listless in the first half, allowing Malvind Benning to exploit the space created by the Exiles being exposed down the right flank, a direct result of trying to beef up the centre of the park.

Medy Elito started on the left, but whether with licence or not, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that Elito plays where he wants.

County were static with three central midfielders, none of whom could stifle Adam Chapman, who purred frustratingly for Exiles fans, who will remember him more as an enigma from his time with the club than the immense talent he clearly is. He’s the Lee Fowler of the Fifa 16 generation.

That meant Mansfield were always on the front foot in the first half, where only Joe Day kept County competitive.

“I am not happy with the performance in the first half, it was like a different team to last week,” Sheridan admitted.

“Listen, I’ve been here a short time, I’m trying to look at the players to let them show me something. We are where we are for a reason.

“We didn’t have an effect on things in the first half; I don’t think we’ve even had a shot.”

The disappointment of conceding just five minutes after the restart was compounded by the fact it was a goal where several players will feel they could have done more to prevent it.

Their manager certainly did.

“The first goal, I’ve got my thoughts on it, I’ll watch the DVD, but there are people ball watching, if we keep our positions and our shape it’s not a goal,” the ex-Plymouth boss said.

“There were too many crosses going in cheaply, it’s a wonder strike for the second goal, it’s a wonder strike, credit to him, but we’ve got players in the box doing nothing that could be pushing out ten or 15 yards and maybe he doesn’t get the shot off.”

In the absence of higher pressing, there was nothing to be done about Benning’s magical second, as good a goal as I can recall being scored against Newport in the past decade off the top of my head, a sumptuous volley; football at its very best... just not if you’re a County fan.

The frustration of conceding was compounded in the goal coming a mere 60 seconds after Alex Rodman squandered a golden opportunity to equalise, a heavy touch as he raced clear on goal allowing veteran goalkeeper Brian Jensen the opportunity to smother.

Credit to County at least for showing fight at 2-0 down with the game gone, Zak Ansah showing reason for encouragement with some direct running and confident shooting, though he really should have scored with a shooting chance from inside the penalty area that Jensen saved with his legs.

By the time Adi Yussuf made it three; County fans were already turning their attention to matters at Twickenham and in Bosnia, shoulders more shrugged in resignation than lips quivering with anger.

Performances like this have become all too familiar, this process of reporting that County were beaten and second best all too depressing, with Sheridan facing a huge challenge to turn things around.

Newport (4-3-3): Day; Holmes (Twumasi 26), Barrow, Donacien, M Taylor; Byrne, Bennett, Klukowski (Rodman 65); Elito, Ansah, John-Lewis (Boden 65)

Subs not used: R Taylor, Blackwood, Partridge, Parselle,

Booked: Klukowski

Mansfield (4-4-1-1): Jensen; Hunt, Benning, Pearce, Tafazolli; McGuire, Chapman, Lambe (Rose 76), Westcarr; Thomas (Clements 84); Green (Yussuf 87)

Subs not used: Shearer, Collins, Thomas, Blair

Booked: None

Referee: Steve Martin

Attendance: 3,278 (119 away)

Argus star man: Malvind Benning