TEN-MAN Newport County AFC suffered a 3-0 defeat at Notts County with Jorge Grant bagging a brace and Shola Ameobi also scoring after Dan Butler had been sent off for the visitors. Here's what we learned...
1. Magpies fans can influence a referee
he 5,678 home fans can take some of the credit for Notts County’s win on Saturday. They were already baying for blood long before the red card, with Frank Nouble their main target.
The mood that the fans created, with constant booing and whistling each time Nouble wasn't booked, put pressure on the referee and played a part in his decision to send off Dan Butler after only 34 minutes.
2. Notts County are genuine promotion contenders
Despite the helping hand they received from the officials, there is no doubt that Kevin Nolan’s team are a strong outfit who will give anyone a game on their day.
This win took them back to the top of the table and they could have had six or seven goals if it wasn’t for some inspired goalkeeping from Joe Day and some poor finishing.
3. White not shining so brightly now
Ben White (above) has set himself such high standards since his loan move from Brighton & Hove Albion that it was inevitable that he would have a dip at some time.
The teenager was substituted last weekend and, though he had his moments going forward and showed his usual classy touches, he was at fault for all three goals conceded at Meadow Lane.
4. You need leaders to win a battle
The Exiles were already without captain Joss Labadie (hamstring) so to lose both Mark O’Brien (foot) and David Pipe (sickness) as well was a big blow.
It was always likely to be a tough trip but the red card made it even tougher and you need your big characters in adversity. Sadly too many of them were missing on Saturday.
5. Jazzi can still hit the right notes
All the talk during the week was about super-sub Shawn McCoulsky but it was Jazzi Barnum-Bobb (above) who made the bigger impact after they were both introduced for the second half.
The former Cardiff City youngster has been a peripheral figure under Flynn and he can still frustrate, giving away a silly free-kick or losing the ball in a dangerous area, but he showed enough going forward to suggest that he may be able to force his way back into the manager’s thinking.
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