Jardim targeting positive run ready for second season

Nelson Jardim feels Newport County have to end the season strongly as they bid to improve ready for the Portuguese head coach's second campaign at the club.

Following Saturday's 3-0 win against Harrogate Town, the Exiles sit 16th in League Two - 16 points above the relegation zone and 12 points adrift of the play-off places.

It has been a debut campaign full of ups and downs for Jardim since he was named as Graham Coughlan's successor in the Rodney Parade dugout last summer.

And the 46-year-old is now targeting a strong end to the season as Newport hope to go from strength to strength in the fourth tier next time out.

"They (players) are motivated. I don't think we can change our objective. Our objective was to get this comfort as quickly as possible," he said.

"They have to be focusing on developing individually and collectively, because we know we can only start strong next season if we finish strong (this season).

"The way we're going to finish this season will set the tone for for the next season.

"We want to start well, that's something I've said and I will be making sure that everyone is focused on that."