Newport County 1 CITY 4

Today provided attacking football, quick passing and moving and good wing play in abundance, something we have missed for such a long time following the undoubtedly boring football we were forced to endure under Mr Wilson last season. On the evidence of today, we now have a manager not afraid to play to the team's strengths; attacking.

In the first half Tommy fitted into a holding role, and this worked to good effect. Allowing Harley (who looked confident and assured on the ball, and played well) and the excellent Bradley Orr (covering every blade of grass, and continuously bombing forward in support of the front men) to get forward at every opportunity. Orr in particular, was fantastic. Off the ball, in particular, he looked clever in his movement and his willingness to make runs beyond the two strikers was refreshing, yet often not rewarded as team mates failed to pick him out. However, he will compliment Wilkshire well, that I have little doubt of.

Wilkshire had a difficult time last season. He is a player whose game is based on quick thinking, and passing and moving. His vision to find a player, or to find a space, is his biggest attribute, and on many occasion he was made to look stupid playing in a team full of players who, quite honestly, don't have the brain or speed of thought to match Luke's (You can see why he looked like no mug in the premiership). Orr was at times left exposed by his team mates' lack of vision and intelligence. In contrast, Wilkshire will thrive on having a player with the legs to get beyond the two front men beside him in the middle, and I for one can't wait to see these two link up.

Defensively, we looked ok, yet not brilliant. Fortune stood out at the back with a fantastic display, justifying the interest shown by PNE not so long ago. Coles performed well, not helped out by a shaky display from Tony Butler. However, we looked as hopeless as ever from set-plays, and we would have been punished more severely with better finishing.

Upfront, Heffernan battled hard. With the ability to drop a little deeper to link the play up, he showed some nice touches yet this is clearly not his strength, and took his goal well. Yet he was never really given the chance to stretch his legs and run at players or run after the ball, and he was also not helped by the generally lightweight and ineffective Lita, and if this showing is repeated on a regular basis he should not be in contention to start against Torquay. Simply not good enough, and he made life difficult for Heffernan, who is clearly not a target man by any stretch of the imagination.

At wingback, Murray looked sharp and as he gets fitter he will continue to get better. However, his crossing leaves a little to be desired. On the left, Bell was tidy and showed he still possesses one of the best first touches in the division, yet at times he was slow and lacklustre in getting back, perhaps down to fitness.

The second half brought more entertaining attacking play. A change in shape meant Orr was now beginning to sit a little deeper with Doherty, allowing Goofellow to play in the hole just behind the two front players. And in a word, he was outstanding. Affectively playing in a free role, he was able to drift from side to side, pick up the ball and run at players. When off the ball, too, he continually got beyond the strikers causing the opposition defence all sorts of problems, as they could never seem to pick him up. His direct style was certainly entertaining and he was excellent.

Miller and Gillespie upfront were also excellent, and a definite improvement on the showing from the front two, as a partnership, in the first half. Always seeming to know where the other one was, their link up play was sharp and incisive, Miller linked up the play well, showing a good first touch and terrific awareness, while Gillespie was happy to sit on the last defenders shoulder, being a constant menace with his pace and speed of thought, he could've had 4 or 5.

The two goals he did get, however, displayed his finishing ability. The first a 20 yard curler in off the post into the bottom corner, the second an instinctive chip over a stranded keeper.

At left wing back Woodman was a revelation. Getting up and down the left flank he was excellent, doing his share of defensive work while causing their right back no end of problems, including a wonderful cross for Millers header. On the right, Roberts was fairly ineffective and rubbish, but he's not a right wing back so I'll refrain from commenting on him too much.

On the whole, we looked sound at the back after a shaky start, and excellent going forward, particularly from the midfield who were always able to get up in support of the front men, and there were always sufficient numbers in the box.

I want to see Miller get another run out with Gillespie and also partner Heffernan in the two friendlies against WBA and Portsmouth to test their partnerships against better opposition. I also want to see Goodfellow feature in the hole just behind the front two again, as he offered a different attacking option.

It's looking good, but there is still lots of work that needs to be done, in particular with defending set-pieces.