Newport County

Image source, BBC Sport

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Newport County are on the hunt for a new manager once again after the club sacked David Hughes.

County are rooted to the foot of the League Two table after just three wins in 16 league games this season.

Hughes' sacking followed a 1-0 defeat away at Shrewsbury on Saturday, but who do you want to see named as his successor?

Here is what you said.

Andrew: "Someone who has a proven track record in keeping a side up. Neil Warnock, Mark Hughes, even if it's just a short term appointment, the top priority is to keep the club in the football league."

Phil: "We need an experienced manager to try and save us."

Ade: "David Hughes has my upmost respect for trying to get a team going that was assembled by someone else. Who should come in? Not Mike Flynn, but someone who has a magic wand!"

Terry: "Huw Jenkins will have to dig deep into his pockets if the club is to get in someone such as Darren Ferguson. Mike Flynn has been sacked by Walsall, Swindon and Cheltenham since he left in 2021, so it would be a big mistake if he was brought back."

Mike: "Unfortunately whoever the manager is it's the recruitment that has been the problem. Really concerned, I feel if we go down to the National League it will be the end."

Ian: "I would like to see Michael Fynn back and try to reintroduce confidence back into the side."

Kevin: "Even Jurgen Klopp would have a job to get County out of this mess!"

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The Chairman of the Newport County Supporters Association Trust says the sacking of David Hughes is "disappointing" despite it being a needed change.

Newport's 1-0 defeat away at Shrewsbury on Saturday proved to be the final straw for Hughes, who won just three of his 16 League Two games in charge of the club.

As a result, County sit bottom of the table and four points adrift of safety, having picked up just 11 points this campaign.

Speaking to BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast, Arnie Bartlett said: "Everyone is disappointed that it didn't work out with David Hughes.

"He's a genuine person who's interacted with the supporters, and we could see what he was trying to do on the pitch but with a small budget and a lot of injuries too.

"But football is a results business and we haven't won enough points – and the performance especially in the second half at Shrewsbury on Saturday was very flat.

"Everyone was thinking we need to change something and usually the attention turns to the manager."

Former Wales striker Nathan Blake said the decision to fire Hughes was "unavoidable" while ex-Wales defender Danny Gabbidon said: "It's going to be interesting to see where Newport go from here."

Asked who the club will turn to next to lead them in their fight against relegation, Bartlett said: "I've heard the long list of names that have been linked.

"It's very difficult for me to name one individual but one that can help us get better results on the pitch.

"There are 30 games left, people tend to forget that – it's so important that we keep in touch with the teams around us and then we'll have the transfer window in January to strengthen the squad."

County are next in League Two action on Saturday, 22 November, as they travel to Boundary Park to face mid-table Oldham Athletic.

After David Hughes was sacked on Saturday, Newport County are looking for a fifth permanent manager since Mike Flynn departed in 2021.

Was it the right decision for Hughes to go following the 1-0 defeat to relegation rivals Shrewsbury Town?

Who would Newport fans like to see take over the side, and what are the challenges facing any new boss?

Have your say here

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Getty Images

Newport County boss David Hughes says he is unsure why he remains in charge, but promises to do "everything within his capabilities" to help Newport County turn their season around.

On Tuesday Newport's EFL Trophy campaigng ended in a 1-0 defeat by Exeter City, making it consecutive defeats following a 4-2 loss to Walsall last time out in League Two, in which Hughes' side conceded four "avoidable" goals.

Speaking on Thursday before Saturday's league match against Shrewsbury Hughes was asked if he knew why he was being given time to put things right.

"I don't know. It's a good question. I'm not sure. I'm not sure I can give you a real solid response, if I'm honest", Hughes said.

"All I know is that the staff and myself are doing everything within our capabilities to work with the players.

"And I think if you spoke to the players, they'd equally be as accepting that we are doing everything we can to equip them to win games."

Despite recent results, Hughes remains hopeful, saying: "I'm always optimistic when we get to game day that we're going to put a performance in to help us be successful."

A 3-0 win at Harrogate in Newport's last away league game helps prove there are signs of quality.

Hughes remains confident in his side and acknowledges results will determine his and the club's fate.

"Well, we believe so, yeah," Hughes said when asked whether his team had the quality to remain in League Two.

"On the outside, there's only one thing that will reinforce that and that's points on the board.

"There's a number of clubs down the bottom end with similar points totals and what we have to do is claw ourselves away from it."

Hughes will be hoping that his players can deliver a performance that will relieve the pressure on both themselves and the manager at fellow strugglers Shrewsbury on Saturday with kick off at 15:00 (GMT).

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County are out of the EFL Trophy after a 1-0 defeat to League One side Exeter City in their final Southern Group A game.

Exeter captain Ed Turns' smart six-yard volley - after Newport failed to clear a corner in the 50th minute - sent the Grecians into the last 32 at County's expense on a night of torrential rain at Rodney Parade.

It might have been worse had County goalkeeper Nik Tzanev not saved a low goal-bound drive from substitute Reece Cole with six minutes left.

The closest Newport came to scoring was a fine 25-yard curling effort from forward Bobby Kamwa in the first half that was punched to safety by Exeter keeper Jack Bycroft.

Dave Hughes' side exit the competition with one win from their three group matches - a memorable 1-0 victory at Welsh rivals Cardiff City in October - while they were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal Under-21s at home in September.

Defeat to Exeter was Newport's 10th home loss of the season in all competitions, their poor form at Rodney Parade and the awful weather conditions contributing to a crowd of just 838.

Three points from safety at the bottom of League Two, Newport now travel to 23rd-placed Shrewsbury Town in a crucial relegation battle at New Meadow on Saturday.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

BBC Sport asked Newport County fans after the weekend's 4-2 loss to League Two leaders Walsall whether the Exiles can bounce back to beat fellow strugglers Shrewsbury Town this Saturday?

Here are some of the responses we received.

Steve: I'm hoping we can go to Shrewsbury and get a positive result, our away form shows we can beat these teams around us - ie Accrington, Harrogate, Crawley and a draw at Tranmere.

Martin: We won't win this game as it's a very important game. We don't win the six- pointers. Even though we have had some good form we are bottom. I dread to think what will happen when our form dips.

Robert: It's possible mathematically but is it possible psychologically? The Shrewsbury game will be our Rubicon.

Ade: I'm not confident of a result sadly and if we don't get a result then game over I feel. All you hear is that it'll be sorted in the January window. Can't see it. I've kept, as have many, faith over the years through thick and thin but this season is by far the worst.

Paul: Another false dawn from the Exiles. They again dominate possession but with their fragility at the back, the same old mistakes at set-pieces and a lack of a 20+ goal a season striker they look doomed. Unfortunately, [chairman Huw] Jenkins and [manager David] Hughes seem to be satisfied with this situation.

Mark: Home form is terrible, seven out of eight defeats. The pressure put on them by the home crowd must be affecting confidence. They are losing away but at least they won three. Predict a 2-0 win at Shrewsbury.

Oliver: Gaffer's post-match interviews make him seem delusional. CBR [Courtney Baker-Richardson] is the worst player I've ever seen in a County shirt. [Lee] Jenkins and [Sammy] Braybrooke are the only two players good enough for League Two.

Terry: Over the past three League Two seasons, the average points total required to avoid relegation is 46. If that is maintained this campaign, then Newport need another 35 from their 31 remaining fixtures. Given they currently have earned only 11 from a possible 45, their task is enormous!

Newport County went ahead against promotion chasing Walsall on Saturday – but in the end lost 4-2 at Rodney Parade.

Boss Dave Hughes said the four goals conceded were "avoidable" and that his side failed to build on the momentum of recent results.

But Hughes added that the team showed resilience against the Saddlers.

But despite defeat – and with some encouraging results of late – are you confident County can beat fellow League Two strugglers Shrewsbury Town this Saturday?

Have your say here

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

Newport County boss Dave Hughes says his side failed to build on the momentum of recent results in losing 4-2 at home to promotion chasing Walsall.

Kai Whitmore put County ahead, but within a minute Daniel Kanu levelled and Ryan Finnigan then put the visitors ahead.

Finnigan's second put Walsall in control and although Ged Garner reduced the deficit, Rico Browne struck after the break to restore Walsall's two-goal advantage.

County remain rooted to the bottom of League Two and Hughes said all four goals conceded had been "avoidable."

"Disappointed would be an understatement because for spells we've more than matched them, but it's no point doing it for spells," Hughes said.

"The game is 95 minutes and we need to be capable of doing that for significantly longer than we did.

"We're hugely disappointed because I feel as if we've thrown away – when you watch the goals back – what momentum we were building.

"We still created opportunities in the second half.

"Disappointed for sure, but what's the positive? Right to the death we're trying to find a way – we didn't – but that shows the level of resilience within the squad."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County welcome table-toppers Walsall to Rodney Parade on Saturday (15:00 GMT) eager to record their first home league victory of the season.

The Exiles go into the game off the back of an encouraging FA Cup penalty shootout success against Gillingham last Saturday, before which they had failed to win any of their past 14 matches at home.

Manager Dave Hughes, however, is well aware of the test they face against a side who missed out on promotion in the play-off final last season.

"They're a good team, we know that," said Hughes, of a Walsall outfit who share the League Two lead with Swindon.

"If you look at the makeup of their side from last season to this, the depth they have is vast and significant.

"We know it will be a challenge, we know it's going to be tough."

Despite having not won a home EFL match since March, Hughes side will be looking for a second league victory in a row after winning 3-0 at Harrogate on the final weekend of October.

Walsall, despite their lofty position, go into the game having suffered back-to-back defeats in League Two against Barrow and Cheltenham.

"We will set our stall out to make it really difficult for them on Saturday," added Hughes.

"As always, we'll pay the opposition the respect they deserve, look at their strengths and then look at how we can pose them problems as well."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

After joining Newport County on loan from Swansea City during the summer transfer window, Ben Lloyd is beginning to make a strong impression for the Exiles.

The 20-year-old midfielder played a decisive role in Newport's recent FA Cup victory over Gillingham, converting the winning penalty to send his side through to the next round.

But it was not just the match-winning moment that caught the eye of County boss David Hughes.

"He's got incredible athleticism to be able to continue to deliver that, to break and recover, to press and re-recover consistently," Hughes said.

"You look at his metres per minute and it's staggering really."

Lloyd covered nearly 16km in the recent Gillingham fixture, a figure Hughes described as "higher than normal" even accounting for extra time.

Hughes added: "The way he's gone about his work since he's been here on loan has been exceptional.

"He wasn't a regular until the last few weeks, but he's stepped up his game."

Despite limited minutes earlier in the season, Lloyd's attitude never wavered.

"Even when he's been out of the team, the way he's gone about his work has been really, really high level," said Hughes.

"All I can say is, since he's got in the team with us, he's been electric."

"So, we'll keep supporting Ben as he continues to develop and evolve his game."

County fans will be hoping that Lloyd can keep providing match-winning moments as they welcome Walsall to Rodney Parade on Saturday, 8 November (15:00 GMT) as they return to League Two action.

Meanwhile, Newport's FA Cup second-round trip to Boreham Wood has been moved to Sunday, 7 December (14:30 GMT), as the game has been chosen for television coverage - and will be live on iPlayer and BBC Two.