Belief in me may have deviated - Hughes

Newport have won two of their 12 league games so far this season

David Hughes has suggested "one or two" may have "deviated in their belief" in his ability to manage Newport County after the club's winless run.

Newport ended their nine-game sequence without a League Two victory at Accrington Stanley on Saturday to climb off the foot of the table.

Their hard-fought success at the Wham Stadium followed Tuesday's EFL Trophy triumph at Cardiff City, making this the best week of Hughes' difficult Newport reign.

Christian Fuchs, the former Austria defender who won the Premier League title with Leicester City, was in the stands at Accrington as Newport dug deep to deliver a much-needed second league win since Hughes took charge in the summer.

When asked about Fuchs' presence at the game, Hughes said: "I knew that as well. A good friend of mine told me that [he was coming] yesterday.

"That's the nature of the game isn't it? If you are not successful and you are not winning then questions are asked.

"I have never deviated in my belief in the players. Maybe one or two have deviated in their belief in me."

Newport beat Accrington courtesy of an own goal by Isaac Sinclair, who inadvertently turned Bobby Kamwa's cross into his own net

When asked, Hughes dismissed the idea of Fuchs joining his coaching staff.

Welshman Hughes, 47, left his role in Manchester United's academy to take his first senior managerial job at Newport.

After finishing just outside the League Two relegation places last season, Newport have endured a miserable start to 2025-26, with fans calling for the departure of chairman and owner Huw Jenkins during last weekend's home loss to Swindon Town.

That was a 10th defeat in 11 games in all competitions for Hughes' side, who have since lifted spirits with successive victories, but remain in the relegation places.

Fuchs, 39, has spent time coaching at MLS side Charlotte FC since retiring as a player in 2023.

After the Accrington triumph, Newport's first in the league since the opening week of the season, Hughes insisted he was "always optimistic" his team would turn their form around.

"I am going to enjoy it," he added. "The players are the most important people at every club with the supporters, and my message is enjoy it. You have had to work for it - you have suffered for a period of time.

"Three points definitely tastes very nice and the reception the supporters gave the players at the end was excellent.

"It's one victory. There are many more we need to try to secure to get the points that we need, but it definitely gives everybody a lift."