New Year, New Start, Newport

First topic message reminder :

Hi all,

With a new hand clearing away a lot of dross, some exciting players and a vibrant citadel of support, this could be an excellent year for Newport. You need depth to top the table, more depth than they have. However, there is no reason that Newport cannot reach the heights they did in 2003 - 2005 and claim a playoff position.

Although they lack the reputation of other clubs, there are some serious players in this Newport side - Harries and Brew is a devastating wing pairing, while a backrow of Falatau, Lydiate and Morgan is amongst the best in the league. Their second row pairing is excellent while they possess an under rated gem in Jason Tovey, who continues to be overlooked internationally.

Former Wales U20's coach Darren Edwards has clearly got his eye on the future with several cherry picked youngsters set to wear Newport colours. It seems to be a longer term plan which will coincide nicely with the redevelopment of Rodney Parade, Newports home stadium. All in all, there appears to be real development afoot.

Their absence from Europe this season will serve as a boost, not a hindrance in my opinion. They are in a tournament that they can actually win. This is only going to bring in more crowds, give the players more confidence and make the men of Newport a seriously dangerous team to take on.

Famed for their vibrant home support, if they can maintain that and take some key scalps (especially early in the season when others are World Cup depleted) a playoff berth is a real real objective. Once there anything is possible especially with such strength at lock, backrow, winger and a little genius at half back pulling the strings.

A new coach, a new start, a new Newport!!

But would they get a the same attendance if they played elsewhere Newport is the biggest catchment area by far.
Now before any rants I personally would go but a lot would'nt and could or would the fans of Ebbw Vale, Ponty or Cross Keys etc make that number up if not it dosen't make economic sense to farm games out

To what end though ? You'd have far less fans turning up and much poorer facilities for the visiting teams. Surely thats just disrespcetful for them ?

I don't buy this legend of 'thousands' of disenchanted Poolers and Ebw fans just waiting for the evil Newport name to be dropped from the Dragons so that they can flood into Rodney parade.

Towards the end of last season I noticed a few more more Ponty,Cross keys shirts etc turning up maybe word is filtering through that a day out at the Dave is a good day out' the more the merrier, theres no Ponty,Newport or Ebbw section just a bunch of rugby fans out to enjoy themselves.Oh yeah the rugby is pretty good too