Newport novices will be better for pressure - Jardim

Nelson Jardim praised goalkeeper Nick Townsend, who was one of only three players aged over 29 in Newport's squad, after victory against Morecambe

Newport County's rookies will be better for facing up to League Two relegation pressure, according to boss Nelson Jardim.

The Exiles had prompted fears of a slide towards the drop zone after a run of just one win in 13 league fixtures.

Those concerns eased significantly after Newport beat Morecambe on Tuesday to register back-to-back victories for the first time in four months, moving them up to 17th and 10 points clear of the 23rd-place Shrimps.

Jardim – in his first frontline role in British football – faced criticism during Newport's difficult run, while there have been questions over whether an inexperienced squad could cope with a scrap to pull clear of relegation danger.

With a recruitment policy focusing on signings with potential, Newport have handed a dozen players their first taste of league football this season.

"The players grow with adversity," Jardim said.

Jardim has pointed to injuries, home fixture postponements and a challenging run of fixtures as factors behind recent struggles, which included a run of five straight defeats before last week.

The former Swansea City coach accepts Newport are still a long way from being comfortable, but feels his fresh-faced side are getting stronger.

"Adversity is sometimes what you need - come out of your comfort zone and do it," he added.

"Challenge yourself to be better every day. No matter what problems you face, you have to be at it.

"That's what I transmit to them every day and the boys have been brilliant."

Jardim was named head coach at Rodney Parade at the start of the season, with chairman Huw Jenkins keen to give young talent a chance in the team.

The inexperienced players include former Swansea youngster Joe Thomas, who scored his first senior goal in the 2-1 win over Morecambe.

He is among a number of Newport players who were previously at nearby academies, while others in Jardim's squad - such as Kai Whitmore - have been plucked from the Cymru Premier.

"Imagine these boys together in a few years," said Jardim.

"But we know when we sign them we have to be patient. They are having to mature and get used to the intensity of the games and even training sessions. Physically they will struggle and we have lost some of them with injury.

"People want to win every game – and no-one wants to win or do well more than me – but it's a process and we have to trust it. We are sticking to plan that they can develop and be best they can be."