Image source, Huw Evans AgencyA late Oliver Greaves goal gave Newport County a 1-0 win over West Ham United Under-21s in their EFL Trophy Southern Group H game at Rodney Parade on Tuesday night.
Substitute Greaves struck in the 83rd minute to give Newport their first victory in this season’s competition and a welcome win following heavy League Two defeats by Port Vale and Swindon Town.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyNewport County fans have been giving us their views after two successive defeats in League Two with eight goals conceded:
Derek Jones said: Survival is the name of the game. Big, big risk with so many untried youngsters. Some look lost at this point when up against seasoned professionals. We definitely need more experience in the squad. [Manager Nelson] Jardim looks a little lost too, perhaps needs a good experienced assistant? Not a great move to get rid of [Graham] Coughlan.
Shane said: I wish Nelson Jardim well. We’ve got some promising youngsters but they are inexperienced and this is a very physical league. I still think County will finish in the top 10 but we only need a few suspensions and injuries and it's panic stations. Not sure the system we play will work in this league.
Terry: Without doubt Newport did extremely well to win three successive league games, but injuries and suspensions have hit hard. It shows there is little or no strength in depth in the squad and only time will tell just how important those nine winning points will be.
Manuel: Nelson Jardim is inexperienced and incapable to control his players. He should never have been given a chance at such a well-established club, he was at a B team from the second division in Portugal - how can you expect anything from a coach that never played professionally or had a manager's job previously? It’s irresponsibility from the board.
You can send us your views here, external.
Image source, BBC SportNewport County's undulating start to the new League Two season continued as they were thumped 4-0 at Swindon Town on Saturday.
The Exiles are nicely placed in 10th in the early-season League Two table despite defeat by a Swindon side who had not won a game before the weekend.
But it must be a concern for new boss Nelson Jardim that his team have conceded 13 goals in their first six league games.
They bounced back after opening-day defeat at Cheltenham with victories over Doncaster Rovers, Accrington Stanley and Morecambe.
But the Swindon loss was preceded by a 4-1 home beating by Port Vale.
Jardim's cause has not been helped by issues with suspension and injury, particularly in defence.
His side play West Ham Under-21s on Tuesday before returning to league action at Barrow next weekend.
What will come next in what has been an unpredictable season so far? Where can Newport improve, and what is a realistic target for this campaign?
You can send us your views here., external
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyFormer Cardiff City defender Jason Perry says Newport County must go "back to basics" after losing 4-0 away at Swindon Town.
The Exiles found themselves 3-0 down within 21 minutes, with Swansea City loanee Joel Cotterill adding a fourth Robins goal on the stroke of half-time after early efforts from Kabongo Tshimanga and Paul Glatzel along with a Matt Baker own goal.
"Newport have got to go back to basics, you can’t concede the number of goals that Newport have, they’ve got to stop losing games in this manner," Perry told BBC Radio Wales Sport.
"I think Newport are in for a tough time, I look at teams when they find themselves in this position and try and see a reaction, there was very little from the Newport players today.
"That might be down to rotation and inexperience in the squad, but there's still so much to work on for Newport County.
"So much has gone wrong in the past two games, it can be hard to know what to prioritise. For me Newport have to stop conceding goals, they’ve got to tighten up all over the pitch."
Perry has also criticised Newport's inability to defend set-pieces.
Swindon's Tshimanga opened the scoring after County failed to clear a free-kick, before Glatzel reacted first to Will Wright's header back across goal for Swindon's third, once again from a free-kick.
"Newport showed time and time again that they can't defend set-pieces, they lost every header," added Perry.
"You've got to learn to defend as a team, there were centre-forwards turning in the box, Swindon winning every header and every second ball, it simply isn't good enough.
"It was an easy afternoon's work for Swindon Town."
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyNewport County’s young prospects will be allowed to make mistakes – as long as they learn from them.
The Exiles head to Swindon Town off the back of the side’s first defeat in four, a 4-1 thrashing by Port Vale that saw errors and two red cards on a miserable day at Rodney Parade.
It was County’s first home defeat of the season, but Jardim said they will not allow it to dent optimism built by a promising start to the season that saw them collect nine points from the first five games.
And, attempting to introduce more of a passing-based style with a new-look team, Jardim said: “It’s part of the process and sometimes the price you have to pay is high - but they will not learn if they are not allowed to make the mistakes.
“On any day, everyone can have a bad day or make a bad pass, but we will make sure we learn from it and improve. I can’t ask them to be a passing team and not be allowed to make mistakes.”
Newport were already up against it against Port Vale, 2-1 down at half-time before a mistake from 17-year-old Nelson Sanca helped the visitors to a third.
He is set to start at Swindon with County suffering a selection crisis at the back, but Jardim says the teenager has his full confidence.
“He is still very young and a quality player,” the head coach said. “He has a lot to learn but works every day. He will definitely be a good player – he already is – but just needs to improve on some areas and then he will be a very important player.
“All these young players will learn and improve and down the road they will feel the benefits of everything.”
Newport head to Swindon having lost their last two visits to the County Ground, but Jardim added: “We know supporters’ expectations are probably higher than they were at the beginning.
“Then everyone was saying new head coach, a lot of new players, young players, but they have started to see that actually it’s possible.
“They have to be patient, see what we are doing, and know there is ups and downs. We have to be strong enough when we are in a down moment we are strong enough to be back on track as quick as possible.
“We know this league is ruthless and sometimes you don’t have that time. But we are positive, the fans have been great, they have been engaged, and they proved last week when we were 4-1 down they were still pushing us.
“We know Swindon’s quality and expectation, and it will be a difficult game, but I also expect our team to be at their best.”
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyAaron Wildig says he is happy to play ‘dad’ in the Newport County changing room.
The midfielder has just become a father for the second time, and admits the return to early-morning feeds has been a shock to the system.
There are youngsters to help on the training ground too, with the 32-year-old very much a senior man in a County squad with a far fresher look this season under new head coach Nelson Jardim.
It is a role Wildig is willing to play having been hailed as a role model for his character and his qualities by his manager.
“There’s a lot of young players here. I was saying to [34-year-old] James Clarke that now he’s out injured, I’m five years older than everyone else on the training field,” Wildig said.
Wildig is one of handful of players left at Newport from last season after 17 new signings arrived, all bar one of whom was under the age of 24.
“You get a lot of changeover in squads pretty much every summer in lower-league football, and being an experienced player is about bringing the group together," he added.
“There’s a lot of talent there, a lot of potential. They will all progress at different times – some will hit the ground running, [some] players will step up at different stages.
“And once they’ve settled, hopefully they can kick on for the football club.”
Newport will try to progress at Swindon Town on Saturday.
Their visit to the winless Robins provides a chance to bounce back from a 4-1 defeat by Port Vale at Rodney Parade last week.
Wildig, a former Cardiff and Morecambe player, says going home to the children “evens out” disappointments like last Saturday, where he felt “everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong”.
And the player who has scored three goals in his last three games added: “But the bigger picture is we started the season well and we will focus on trying to progress with a new group of players.
“You have to be positive with nine points from five games with a new young group. It’s about moving forward and righting some wrongs.
“We need people to stick with us because there will be bumps in the road with a group like this. There will be down days but I think people can see what we’re trying to do with a style change in a short period of time and hopefully there will be more good days than bad.”
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyNewport County boss Nelson Jardim says Luke Jephcott remains an important player for the Exiles, but wants more versatility from the striker.
Jardim says that could see the 24-year-old move away from his traditional role.
Jephcott is yet to start a league game this season, his three appearances all coming off the bench.
He has not featured in Newport’s last three outings and has made just five starts in all since signing from St Johnstone in January.
The former Wales Under-21 frontman is yet to score since arriving at Rodney Parade as one of the first signings after Huw Jenkins’ takeover of the club.
It is a far cry from the form he has previously shown in front of goal, including during a loan spell at Saturday’s opponents Swindon, where he scored a winner against Newport in October 2022.
But Jardim said: “Luke has been great for the squad, he’s been ready for whatever the team needs.
“In the last couple of weeks we have seen a bit more from him on the training ground and we are trying to find the best way of helping the team.
“I have been asking him to do other things and I’m sure it will help him be able to help the team, to bring a little more versatility, whether in a number 10 role I think he can help with or false nine, and he has shown he can do that. He is an important player for us.”
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyNewport County will look to avoid becoming the first team to lose to Swindon Town this season when they make the short trip to the County Ground on Saturday.
The Exiles have injury and suspension issues to contend with in defence as they attempt to bounce back from last weekend’s 4-1 home defeat to Port Vale.
While Newport boss Nelson Jardim says he must “find solutions” at Swindon, opposite number Mark Kennedy also has problems to solve.
Swindon endured a miserable 2023-24 campaign, finishing 19th in League Two.
Former Cardiff City winger Kennedy became the club’s fifth permanent boss since the summer of 2021 when he was appointed head coach in May.
But it has not been an easy start to Kennedy’s reign, with Swindon taking only three points – courtesy of three away draws – from their first five league games of the season.
They have also suffered cup defeats at Exeter City and Crawley Town.
After two defeats from two at home so far this season – 2-1 against Notts County and 4-0 against Walsall – Swindon could do with a positive result.
Club owner Clem Morfuni has already seen fit to give his backing to Kennedy – and that was before last weekend’s draw at Barrow.
Swindon only avoided defeat in that game thanks to a 98th-minute equaliser from Danny Butterworth.
Another loss would have been embarrassing for the Robins given that defender Rory Feely was in goal for Barrow after Paul Farman’s 42nd-minute sending off.
Swindon were also reduced to 10 men in the second half, with Harry Smith shown red for violent conduct.
Image source, BBC SportWe asked you which Newport County players had caught your eye so far this season and what you have made of the form under new boss Nelson Jardim.
Here is what you had to say.
Graham: High risk, high reward football, but I like it. Don't get me wrong, we will concede some lightweight goals this season, but the development we will see in players given freedom will outweigh the risk. This is the way forward for a club like ours to thrive and develop.
Luke: We are flying this season, a pleasure to watch! Bobby Kamwa is a fantastic player and Courtney Baker Richardson, but Kai Whitmore is a name to look for… great player, big future.
Adrian: Looking far better than in recent seasons. Hopefully they can keep it going for the distance. Aaron Wilding has been inspiring for me so far.
Terry: With so many new faces, it was difficult pre-season to see Newport doing as well as they are. If they manage to progress from this point, the fans are in for a very exciting campaign.
Mike: Total change of footballing philosophy, which will take time for players to adapt, but there really is an optimistic feel around Newport. Bobby Kamwa for me has been our most important signing so far, but the whole team seems on the up.
Image source, FAWKarl Darlow’s debut for Wales has been more than 10 years in the making – and all started at Spytty Park.
Leeds keeper Darlow, 33, was still a 21-year-old hopeful at Nottingham Forest when he joined Newport County on loan as they battled to stay in the National League in 2012.
He made his first senior starts under then-County boss Justin Edinburgh and made his mark with the Amber Army, before heading back to Forest and a big move to Newcastle.
It was while at County that Darlow’s Welsh connection emerged, with grandfather – and 1958 Wales forward – Ken Leek from Ynysybwl.
And after turning down enquiries from both Chris Coleman and Ryan Giggs, he is now a fully-fledged international after being capped by Craig Bellamy.
But he is not the only former Newport star to have gone on to win international honours – or at least get close - with an almost fully formed XI from over the last decade or so winning caps or being called up by their country after being at the County.
As well as Darlow, the list includes others who have had Premier League experience such as Arsenal defender Ben White, who travelled to major tournaments with England.
And former loan striker Antoine Semenyo – who scored 3 goals in 22 appearances while in south Wales – appeared at the 2022 World Cup.
Only one player in our team has not won a full cap, current Newport defender Matt Baker who has captained Wales Under-21s and was called into the senior squad in June without featuring.
GK - Karl Darlow (Wales, 1 cap) – Newport loan 2012, now Leeds
Def – Regan Poole (Wales, 1 cap) – Newport 2014-15, loan 2019, now Portsmouth
Def – Ben White (England, 4 caps) – Newport loan 2017-18, now Arsenal
Def – Matt Baker (Wales, unused sub) – Newport 2023 – Present
Mid – Oli Cooper (Wales, 3 caps) – Newport loan 2021-22, Swansea City
Mid – Otis Kahn (Pakistan, 9 caps) – Newport loan 2020, now Oldham
Mid – Josh Sheehan (Wales, 7 caps) – Newport loan 2016-2021, now Bolton
Mid – Finn Azaz (Rep. Ireland 2 caps) – Newport loan 2021-22, now Middlesbrough
Att – Oli McBurnie (Scotland, 16 caps) – Newport loan 2015, now Las Palmas
Att – Antoine Semenyo (Ghana, 23 caps) – Newport loan 2018-19, now Bournemouth
Att – Mark Harris (Wales, 6 caps) – Newport loan 2018-19, now Oxford
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyHead coach Nelson Jardim insists Newport County will “find solutions” for their defensive selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s League Two match at Swindon Town.
County are still likely to be without the injured James Clarke, as well as suspended duo Ciaran Brennan and Kyle Jameson, who were both sent off in the 4-1 home defeat to Port Vale.
Another defender, Shane McLoughlin, also went off in that game with an injury described by Jardim as “not good”.
Centre back Matt Baker should return after Wales Under-21 duty but it leaves County with the prospect of starting with English Football League [EFL] novices Cameron Evans and Nelson Sanca.
“We will find solutions within the squad, we’ve got more than enough options to make sure we are organised and can compete to win,” Jardim said.
“We just need to see how we finished the game, we finished with [Nelson] Sanca, with Bryn [Morris] and with Cameron [Evans] – a completely new defensive line.
“At this level when you change too many players defensively obviously you know there’s something that can go wrong.
“Having to play the last 25-30 minutes with nine and still not concede more goals, I felt that the effort was there and the boys showed the character we know we’ve got in the squad”.
The Port Vale defeat brought to an end a winning streak of three League Two matches for County.
But with County eighth in the table, Jardim remains upbeat about his team’s start to the season.
“We know that we are not perfect, I’ve been saying that last week and it’s about us getting together and making sure we keep going and improve in the future,” added Jardim.
“We understand we have a lot to improve and especially in controlling our emotions, they got too emotional and those two sending offs were a little bit like that
“The fans saw the boys fighting, they saw it was not a good day and they still kept pushing us, and we felt their energy towards the end.”
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyNewport County’s red card duo have been slammed for their lack of discipline against Port Vale, being told they behaved liked “schoolkids”.
Centre-backs Ciaran Brennan and Kyle Jameson were both sent off as the Exiles were thrashed 4-1 at Rodney Parade on Saturday.
It was part of a second-half capitulation that confirmed the first home defeat of the League Two campaign under head coach Nelson Jardim.
Brennan was given a straight red for kicking out at Port Vale captain Ben Garrity in an off-the-ball incident less than 13 minutes after the restart.
And Jameson followed him down the tunnel nine minutes later after a scuffle saw him receive a second yellow card.
County were already 4-1 down at the time, but former Newport defender Jason Perry was highly critical of the actions that now leave Jardim with a defensive selection crisis for Saturday’s trip to Swindon.
“It was a schooling for the centre-halves and they will learn,” Perry told BBC Radio Wales Sport. “But the biggest errors came after the goals: two players sent of that will cost them further down the line.
“At 2-1 down [at half-time] they were still in it and there was hope things can turn around, but Newport didn’t just press the self-destruct button, they kept their finger on it for 45 minutes.
“They were two of the silliest sendings offs you will see all season, such a lack of discipline - like schoolkids.
“Brennan was standing over the player as if waiting for the referee’s attention and then kicks him so he has no choice. They are running ragged, trying to get back in the game, and then Kyle Jameson gets involved in a scuffle, no choice again.
“You were just praying it would stay at 4-1. It’s one of those games I’m still shaking my head trying to work it out.”
Brennan faces a three-match ban for his red while Jameson will miss the early kick-off at Swindon as part of a one-match suspension, with County already without captain James Clarke. Wing-back Shane McLoughlin was forced off early during the Vale defeat with injury.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Wales international Alan Curtis will be Newport County's special guest for their League Two meeting with Port Vale at Rodney Parade on Saturday.
Curtis won 35 caps for Wales between 1976-1987, scoring six times.
He was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List in 2020 for services to Welsh football after a playing and coaching career that spanned over four decades.
The 70-year-old, who is now honorary president at Swansea City, made over 400 appearances for the Swans across three separate spells.
The Wales great also had spells at Leeds United and Cardiff City, before finishing his playing career at Barry Town.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyHead coach Nelson Jardim insists Cameron Evans is ready to make his first League Two start to help ease Newport County's centre back dilemma.
Jardim will be without injured skipper James Clarke for Saturday's game at home to Port Vale as well as Matt Baker, who will captain Wales Under-21s in Iceland on Tuesday.
Evans, 23, has yet to start an EFL match but did play in the defeat to Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy and has previously worked with Jardim at Swansea City.
"I've known Cameron since he was 15-years-old, so I know what he can do," said Jardim.
"He can offer a lot of things for us, playing in different positions and I thought he was good last Tuesday, so, yes, he's a good option I would say.
"I haven't made that decision yet, because we still have one training session and we have to obviously assess everything, but it would be between him and Nelson Sansa.
"We have plenty of options. Clarke is a blow because he is injured.
"I wouldn't say Matt is a loss as we are happy that he is representing his country. He was happy and we should be proud of that as well. He's developing here with us and he can play for his country. So we couldn't be more happy and I see others in the squad that can step in and do as good as them."
County are looking to make it four league wins in a row on Saturday, with victory against a Port Vale side who have conceded seven goals in their last two League Two matches.
However, Jardim does not read anything into the possibility his side could move into the top three this weekend.
"It's too early and obviously we are doing well. But like I said to the players, I urge everyone to make sure we keep going.
"We don't get complacent and we know that the place we are now is due to their work.
"Everything we are doing is together. So no, it's too early to make any judgement."
Image source, BBC SportIt's early days, but so far, so very good for Nelson Jardim's Newport County.
The victory at Morecambe last weekend may not have been plain sailing, but the result means it is three wins in a row for the Exiles.
That form is confounding some pre-season predictions of a struggle and, with Newport sitting fourth in the table, has got some fans excited about what is to come in September.
But who in Jardim's new-look side has caught the eye and really made an impact early on this season?
Is it one of the many new signings, such as exciting former Burton attacker Bobby Kamwa, who - inspired by a Brazil star - scored a stunner against Doncaster?
Or is it one of the old boys, such as midfielder Aaron Wildig, who got the only goal at his former club to sink the Shrimps, or goalkeeper Nick Townsend, who earned praise for the side's first clean sheet?
Maybe it is returning striker Courtney Baker-Richardson who has grabbed two goals and one assist since coming back to the County?
Or is there someone else who has stood out? Newport fans, you can have your say by sending your views here, external.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyMidfielder Kieron Evans hopes his maiden goal for Newport County in the EFL Trophy will be the first of many at the League Two club.
The 22-year-old, who is on a season-long loan from Championship side Cardiff City, gave County a first-half lead at home to Cheltenham Town on Tuesday.
But the visitors came from behind to beat the Exiles, who had Jacob Carney sent off before half-time.
“It’s always nice to get off the mark early doors so hopefully now it’s going to come more often,” said Evans.
“If you watched the first half I thought we played really well, but second half we were up against it a bit.
“On Saturday [at Morecambe], I came on for 15 to 20 minutes and the gaffer (Nelson Jardim) has said ‘just go and express yourself, drive with the ball’, so that’s what I went out and did."
Evans says he is hungry to gain League Two experience after previous loan spells in the National League, with Torquay and Gateshead.
“I’m just excited to push myself at this level," he added.
"The gaffer and Daf (assistant boss Dafydd Williams) have been brilliant since I’ve come in and the way they play is brilliant.
"It’s exactly what I like to do, play on the floor, so it’ll suit me perfectly.”
