Newport 'needed a bit more' in transfer market

Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts fears Newport County may have left themselves short in the summer transfer window.

The Exiles go to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday in a League Two encounter (15:00 BST) hoping to end a six-game losing streak in all competitions.

Newport signed Nathan Opoku and Sammy Braybrooke (pictured above) on loan from Leicester City on deadline day.

Goalkeepers Nik Tzanev and Jordan Wright, defenders Lee Jenkins and Liam Shephard, midfielder Matthew Smith and striker Ged Garner joined on permanent deals earlier in the window, while Manchester United right-back Habeeb Ogunneye, Swansea City midfielder Ben Lloyd and Cardiff City forward Michael Reindorf signed on loan.

But Roberts is concerned about the options at boss David Hughes' disposal.

"They brought in two lads from Leicester. I just get the feeling they needed a bit more than that," Roberts told this week's Feast of Football podcast.

"I get the feeling Dave needed a bit more help which I don't think he was given by [Newport chairman] Huw Jenkins. It's tough times for Newport."

Hughes left Manchester United's academy to take his first managerial role at Newport in the summer.

His team made a promising start to the season, overcoming Barnet in the Carabao Cup and taking four points from their first two league games in 2025-26.

But the Welsh club are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference having seen their form collapse.

"It's not nice to see - I have known Dave for a long time," added Roberts, who watched Newport lose 2-0 at Cambridge United just a fortnight ago.

"They are testing times for any manager, losing six games on the spin. But for a new manager in his first appointment, it's even harder.

"We were worried about them at the start of the season. I didn't see anything at Cambridge to change my mind."