Back From Exiles

Back From Exiles 

Introduction  

With FM25 delayed I have been searching for a new save to tide me over until the new game with and up to date database. Speaking with some work colleagues about first football memories mine is Cardiff City Vs QPR in the second division play off final in 2003 the first time in the Millennium Stadium, what a game Andy Campbell was my hero and I went down a bit of rabbit hole looking up all the players I used to idolise growing up. Rhys Weston, Danny Gabbion, Graham Kavanagh Fun Fact my mother nearly ran him over.

As My Cardiff side are struggling at the moment I though lets try and see if any joy can be brought to our close neighbours Newport County, as my work colleague is a Newport County fan and his son is a Manchester City Fan and he has to bribe him to go to Rodney Parade. This to me is sacrilege not to support your dads team, as I couldn’t imagine not going to Ninian Park with my grandad and stepdad the best memories of my childhood.

So with the reasoning out the way I didn’t want to take over as myself as I wanted to add a bit of a story to the journey. I would like to introduce you to Ellis Redman The new Newport County manager a former Newport youth player.  

His career was ended in 2016 through injury never making a appearance for The Exiles but knowing he wanted to remain in the game he went straight into to coaching with the Newport County Youth Teams, whilst completing his coaching badges with the Welsh FA he under went his badges with the like of Patrick Vieira and Mikel Arteta whom he would form a rather unlikely friendship.

After he finished his badges he continued on as Newport Head of Talent development until 2019 until the opportunity to continue the very unlikely friendship with Mikel Arteta as he was offered a coaching role with the arsenal youth set up when he remained until Newport parted ways with there previous manager and he appointed the next day as the new Newport boss tasked with rebuilding the club. 

Back From Exiles 

Part 1: The man behind the job  

Having come through the youth academy at Newport and being around the first team for a couple of years he was indoctrinated in a pragmatic lower league defensive football. However, this is not Ellis preferred style of play, coming out of youth football as coach and especially his time at Arsenal he has fostered his own tactical identity. 

He favours a fast pace high intensity possession game with excellent ball carriers especially in defence he champions the center half carrying the ball out of the back and a big strong screening midfielder in front to protect the back 4 two technically gifted midfield ahead with fastskill full wingers and big tall striker who can get in behind. 

If he had that Newport wouldn’t be near the bottom of the table so he has a some non negotiable in how his team plays a 4-3-3 with a high line and a center half who can bring the ball out is what he is looking start with as he builds his squad for the future.

Too start his premiership at Newport this is the tactical system he is implementing 

he has identified in Ciaran Brennan his ball playing centre back 

And in former Cardiff man Cameron Antwi a serviceable DM

And a perfect off the bench striker in 6’9 Kyle Hudlin

I will be interesting to see what the run up to the January transfer window will bring is there success in the the Exiles Future with this new philosophy around the club