Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 0-2 Newport County

Stuart W · Aug 10, 2017

Tommy2holes said:
How were Newport in the southern draw for round 1 and now northern draw for round 2?

Because they need 13 unseeded "Northern clubs" and 13 seeded Northern clubs, and 12 and 12 for the south. In situations where the geographical apportioning leaves an imbalance, then one club is moved to the other geographical group. I assume Newport, being this one club, were drawn at random, so in theory if we had gone through it wouldn't necessarily have been us.

I agree it looks daft, especially when I believe we have Wolves and Birmingham (but not Villa), in the southern group.

Danshrimper · Aug 11, 2017

Tommy2holes said:
How were Newport in the southern draw for round 1 and now northern draw for round 2?

Because both them and West Ham have permission to play the Second round away so they put Newport in the Northern section so they couldn't draw each other.

Stuart W · Aug 11, 2017

Danshrimper said:
Because both them and West Ham have permission to play the Second round away so they put Newport in the Northern section so they couldn't draw each other.

That looks far more likely than my theory. Thanks for that.

Lord Football · Aug 11, 2017

Danshrimper said:
Because both them and West Ham have permission to play the Second round away so they put Newport in the Northern section so they couldn't draw each other.

This is correct. But I gather Newport volunteered for the change rather than were forced into it.