League Two Gameweek 40: Yeovil Rejuvenated?

Exciting times for the Glovers

Strange though it might sound to say about a team hovering two points above the relegation zone and in danger of losing its EFL status – these are potentially exciting times for Yeovil Town.

Darren Way deserves nothing but respect for everything he gave to that club as a player – and one hopes that in time that is what he will be remembered for – but his tenure as a manager was not working out and the club made the right decision to part company.

It was necessary for the outgoing board of John Fry and Norman Hayward to make that change and pay the compensation fee for Way’s three-year contract, in order to keep the imminent takeover from Rob Couhig on the table – and the alteration will certainly improve the mood around Huish Park.

With a talented squad, fresh ideas in the dug-out, new investment in the boardroom and a rejuvenated fanbase, there is a sense that better times could lie ahead for Yeovil.

Good day training ! WINNERS👊 @YTFC pic.twitter.com/DevvLFUTWL

— matthew worthington (@mattyworthy88) March 26, 2019

To get to that stage however, they need to get through these final seven games unscathed.

Caretaker manager Neale Marmon – in charge for the rest of the season – is likely to bring back battle-hardened defenders such as Gary Warren and Carl Dickinson, who might have been frozen out during the previous regime.

The duo could be invaluable in this situation, as could tenacious midfielder Sessi D’Almeida, who returns from a two-match suspension.

This gritty core should compliment the delicate quality of Mihai-Alexandru Dobre, who has starred with his runs in off the left since joining on loan from Bournemouth, providing moments of real danger.

Newport out of form

Newport County beat Cheltenham 1-0 last time out, but it was not the most convincing performance.

The Exiles looked very poor in the first half, when we saw clear issues centrally with talented Bristol City loanee Tyreeq Bakinson not quite showing the level of commitment we saw from him earlier in the season; Scot Bennett was at times the one holding the midfield together.

🏆 | Congratulations to County Number One Joe Day, who has been named in the @FootballManager #SkyBetLeagueTwo Team of the Season! 🏅

Totally Deserved, Joe! 👏🏆 #OurJourneyContinues#OneClubOneCounty https://t.co/YfXJSlzABo

— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) March 26, 2019

When David Pipe replaced Mark O’Brien at the interval to facilitate a switch from three to four-at-the-back, the Newport stalwart injected some passion into the performance which proved infectious.

Forwards Jamille Matt and Adebayo Azeez pressed more effectively, but ultimately the victory was only secured courtesy of an own goal.

Michael Flynn’s side have been able to summon a unique spirit in the FA Cup, when they beat higher league opposition in Leicester and Middlesbrough before delivering a very competitive display against Manchester City.

However, it should not be ignored that the South Wales outfit have lost 10 of their last 17 league matches and could be vulnerable visitors in Somerset.

Tip: Yeovil to win –

How will the season end? Read Gabriel’s League Two Outright preview.

Read Gabriel’s weekend Championship preview.