Game Week 5 League Two Preview

Game Week 5 League Two Team to Watch - Newport County

Many tipped Newport to go down this season, and yet, 4 games into the new season, they sit comfortably inside the playoff places, after three wins and a draw. Whilst it is an incredibly small sample size, there is evidence to suggest that people have overlooked the Welsh side, who are still very much finding their feet after a squad overhaul in the summer. This mainly comes down to the quality of coaching, with former Swansea youth coach Nelson Jardim defying expectations thus far, getting the best out of an enthusiastic, but inexperienced group. A tactically astute manager, Jardim is the only coach to have taken points off of Doncaster so far this term, a side many are purring about.

🗣️ “We are doing well, but I have told the players to keep going and don’t get complacent.”

Nelson Jardim has urged his side to maintain their focus and consistency as they strive for a fourth consecutive league win 👊#OneClubOneCounty

— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) September 6, 2024

A shift to a back 5, to accommodate attack minded left back Anthony Driscoll-Glennon, seems to have been a shrewd move, and it is down the flanks that Newport seem at their most dangerous. Young wide men Bobby Kamwa and Cameron Antwi have breathed fresh life into this Newport attack, and whilst the expectations this weekend may be for Port Vale to bounce back, Newport might just continue to defy expectations.

Game Week 5 League Two Player to Watch - Jack Lankester

A new arrival in the summer, Lankester had been benched for the last two matches for Crewe, after the Railwaymen suffered a tough start to the season. But their winless run ended at the weekend, inspired by Lankester, who made a huge impact after entering the game just before the hour mark. A strong dribbler, it was actually the quality of Lankester’s delivery that unlocked the Bromley defence, cutting back onto his left foot, before whipping the ball into the box with real pace and purpose. His bending delivery found Chris Long, to give Crewe a stoppage time win, a moment of real quality to win the match.

Lankester's cross 😮‍💨
Long's header 😎#CreweAlex pic.twitter.com/uVAZx5E1ru

— Crewe Alexandra (@crewealexfc) September 1, 2024

They come up against a Morecambe side who have conceded just 4 goals so far this season, a side who are incredibly defensively organised. It therefore may take another moment of individual magic to unlock the Shrimps’ defence, and it may be Lankester that Crewe looks towards. He contains magic in either boot, and has already shown this season that he is a man for the big moments.

Game Week 5 League Two Hot Prospect - Ellis Taylor

Harrogate travel to Cheltenham this weekend, a side who are one of the most open in the whole division. In fact, no side has conceded more xG than Cheltenham, and only two sides have conceded more goals than the Robins; so there should be plenty of chances for Harrogate this weekend.

One man who may profit from that is wingback Ellis Taylor, who has already shown himself to be a real attacking outlet for the Sulphurites. He’s scored already this season, and had a very strong goal record at youth level with Sunderland, from whom he joined Harrogate this summer.

Never in doubt 🔥

Ellis Taylor's screamer against Accrington is your goal of the month 🙌 pic.twitter.com/xoXFmpLB1R

— Harrogate Town AFC (@HarrogateTown) September 4, 2024

The 21 year old is capable on either side, but it’s down the left where he has been used most for Harrogate this season, and down that side he will be up against fellow 21 year old wing back Arkell Jude-Boyd. Jude-Boyd loves to get forward, and therefore leaves a lot of space behind for opposition players to exploit; if Taylor takes advantage, he may find himself in some very dangerous positions this weekend.

Game Week 5 League Two Game of the Week - MK Dons v Walsall

In many ways, Walsall thus far are what MK Dons are aspiring to be, which, considering the pre-season expectations of the sides, is not a sentence we expected to be saying this early on in the season. Walsall find themselves 2nd in the table, much more akin to MK Dons’ pre-season expectations than their own. And the manner in which they are winning games is impressive too. They created a massive 3.61 xG last time out, in a 2-1 win, converting dominance into points.

They did the same against Swindon, where they won 4-0, with 1.44 xG more than their opposition that day. MK Dons must look at this with envy, as they once again failed to pick up any points on Monday night, despite creating good chances once again. In fact, it was the 2nd time this season MK Dons had failed to pick up a single point, despite creating more xG than their opponents. With both sides creating plenty of chances, this game promises to be one that will entertain the neutral. Add into that the spice of MK Dons manager Mike Williamson already being under scrutiny from his own fanbase, then this one could be one to keep an eye on.