Newport County

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Newport County manager Nelson Jardim described his team's defensive displays as "an ugly problem" following their 4-1 loss to Leyton Orient in the EFL Cup first round.

Tuesday's defeat to the League One side followed last weekend's 3-2 loss at Cheltenham Town in their League Two season opener.

Jardim made six changes for the cup game, but the Exiles have now conceded seven goals in the season's opening two fixtures.

"We could see today (Tuesday) that we are trying to build something but we have a problem we need to address on the defensive side of the game," Jardim told BBC Radio London.

"It's an ugly problem that we need to address, especially after conceding four goals, we have to be better on the defensive side.

"It was just not good enough, we conceded a goal in the first minute of the game and then just before half-time, that was always going to affect us."

Newport now turn their attention to a first home league game of the season against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, with Jardim highlighting the important of his side "getting the basics right".

"We've got days to play with, we have time to reinforce what we want to achieve here," Jardim added.

"The squad is good, the boys want to get it right and I must praise them for that, we can see they're all making a big effort to adapt to this style.

"Sometimes it's not about the shape of the team, sometimes it's about getting the basics right, we need to do that.

"I've spoken to the boys in the dressing room, they're all willing, they want to come back over the next three days and get these areas of our game sorted."

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Newport County could be without new striker Hamzad Kargbo for more than a month because of a shoulder injury suffered in the opening League Two defeat at Cheltenham Town.

The 6ft 4in former Queens Park Rangers centre-forward, who was only signed last week after impressing on trial, made his debut off the bench on Saturday in the 85th minute - but lasted just four minutes before being injured.

Exiles boss Nelson Jardim confirmed after the game that the 22-year-old had dislocated his shoulder. A typical recovery time for that kind of injury is four to six weeks, but could be anything up to 16 weeks to return to sporting action.

"I was told it is a dislocated shoulder, so I don't know how long that's going to take," Jardim said.

"Again, we were so unlucky losing him for that last five minutes because he had a good impact on the game, we felt we could go for the win and actually he came off, that affected us and unfortunately we came out of the game with nothing.

"Obviously we know there's a long way to go, we are not happy with everything we've done (against Cheltenham).

"We know there's still more to come... and (the game) gave us good indications for the future."

After their opening League Two disappointment, Newport have a chance to bounce back on Tuesday night in the EFL Cup first round away to League One side Leyton Orient.

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Boss Nelson Jardim is set to make changes as Newport County look to bounce back from their opening-day defeat at Cheltenham Town.

Jardim, who took charge in the summer, knows the League Two club have a fine recent cup record to emulate as they travel for a tough first round Carabao Cup tie at League One Leyton Orient on Tuesday.

Under Mike Flynn, Newport became famous for their cup exploits.

And under Graham Coughlan last season, the Exiles beat Charlton in round one of the EFL Cup before a rousing display in the next round when they were only beaten on penalties by Premier League side Brentford.

Jardim said: “We have to keep our record as much as we can. I prepare game by game and I just make sure I am in a position to win every game.

“So with cup games we will make sure we are there to compete and win the game.”

Jardim wants Newport to quickly shrug off their 3-2 defeat to Cheltenham in what was the Portuguese coach’s first game at the helm.

Cardiff loanee Joel Colwill capped his Cheltenham debut by netting the winner – and his second of the match – in the sixth minute of added time.

Jardim says the players must “learn” from a painful defeat, though changes will be made for the trip to Orient.

“We will have to assess the squad, but that is something we will be looking for - a chance to see other players who did not have the chance to play [against Cheltenham]," Jardim added.

“We will have the chance to see how they will react and perform.”

Orient will also be licking their wounds after a 2-1 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers in their League One opener.

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Former Cardiff City defender Jason Perry says Newport County's performance in their season opener at Cheltenham was one all too familiar to last season.

Joel Colwill scored a 96th minute winner to claim a 3-2 victory for the Robins.

"I expected Newport to come out and dominate possession, to keep the ball and at the least be composed, it was no different to what I was watching last year," Perry told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

"Newport didn't look ready for the season, very sloppy in possession and not tight enough defensively, the same old problems we've seen before.

"I was disappointed in their performance, County have got a lot more to do on the training ground.

"I do get concerned with Newport and how young they are, if they don't get that win, if they don't get that point, it becomes harder to get to that performance in terms of possession."

However, Perry did praise the impact of one of the summer signings.

"Bobby Kamwa was outstanding, he was the one player who I felt was at the races today, he was at the level needed.

"He was running at Cheltenham defenders, causing them problems with an end product, he's big, he's strong and he's direct. He had a great game today."

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Jobi McAnuff believes a promising start to the League Two season could be key for Newport County as they begin a new era under Nelson Jardim.

Former Swansea City coach Jardim has replaced Graham Coughlan as Exiles boss in the wake of their 18th-place finish last season.

There has been an overhaul of the playing squad, with 13 new faces brought in, with Jardim given the task of introducing a more possession-based playing style by chairman Huw Jenkins, his old boss at Swansea.

“Newport are a club that I'm keeping a close eye on this season because I think there is a lot of uncertainty, a lot of moving parts, and I'm really interested to see how they get on,” said EFL pundit McAnuff.

“I think their start’s going to be really important. If they don't start well, it's very easy to get dragged into what could be a dogfight when you're trying to play the type of football that clearly Huw Jenkins wants them to play.”

McAnuff is expecting “Swansea mark II” at Newport, with Jenkins trying to emulate the rise he oversaw in his time as Swans chairman.

“He has obviously gone back to somebody he knows well in in Jardim, who he worked with at Swansea,” McAnuff said.

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“I think the timing of things this summer is what raised a few questions for me. It took a little bit longer than I would have liked [to make the managerial change] if you were going to be done with Graham Coughlan and say ‘that era is over, we need to move on to the next one’.

“Then Jardim came in initially as a coach, then he was named head coach, so has he had enough time to really get those ideas across?”

Newport’s cause has not been helped by the loss of Will Evans, who has joined League One Mansfield after starring at Rodney Parade last season.

McAnuff believes the striker’s exit could have a “massive” impact on Jardim’s new-look side, who begin the season at Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

“He was a real incredible source of goals and had an outstanding season last year,” McAnuff added.

“Sometimes when you're not at your best, which I think is going to be the case early on for Newport while they are bedding all this down, you need someone who can just stick the ball in the back of the net. So I think he'll be a huge loss.”

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Will Evans celebrated his first appearance in a Mansfield Town shirt with a goal after issuing heartfelt message of thanks to Newport County and their fans.

Former Bala Town striker Evans joined the League One Stags on a two-year deal on Tuesday in a deal worth more than £200,000.

Within hours of putting pen to paper, Evans netted in a half-hour appearance against Matlock Town in a pre-season friendly which Mansfield won 3-0.

Llangedwyn-born Evans also issued a message of thanks to the Newport fans after what he described as the “best two years”.

The Wales C striker, who scored 25 goals last season, said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to the fans.

“From turning out at Rodney Parade week in, week out to the long away trips across the country. It really didn’t go unseen.

“It was a decision which wasn’t made lightly, as I’ve created memories that will live with me forever.

“You accepted me from game one and all the way through to the end of last season, I truly mean it when I say you hold a special place in my heart.”

Evans, who scored an FA Cup goal against eventual winners Manchester United last January, thanked his former teammates for helping to create “some of the greatest moments” of his life.

He said: “I genuinely couldn’t have done it without you. I have met people within the club who I’ll class as friends for life.

“The club gave me an opportunity two years ago and I can easily say it’s been the best two years. For now it’s time to say goodbye, to undertake a new challenge, one that I personally couldn’t turn down.

“I gave everything for Newport County and I hope you felt I did as well.

“I wish nothing but success for the club in the upcoming season and the forthcoming years.”

Newport kick off their League Two campaign away to Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

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Nelson Jardim says Newport County must quickly “move on” after losing star striker Will Evans on the eve of the new League Two season.

Jardim, who was named Newport head coach in July, must do without last season’s 25-goal leading scorer after he joined League One new boys Mansfield in a deal worth up to £200,000.

The Exiles start the new campaign with a trip to Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

"We’re not just losing a goalscorer, but also a great person," Jardim told BBC Radio Wales.

"I’ve been lucky enough to get to know him over these past four weeks, he’s an excellent boy with good character.

“He’s going to be a huge loss for us, but we must be ready and move on.”

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Nelson Jardim says his main aim is to have a "comfortable" first season as Newport County manager.

Jardim has outlined the importance of his side playing possession-based football as his top priority for 2024-25.

The approach is likely to be reminiscent of the style he experienced in his time at Swansea City, where he worked as a coach under the likes of Paul Clement and Carlos Carvalhal.

"I’m a great believer in possession-based football, that’s something that we want to implement here, that's the priority," Jardim told BBC Radio Wales.

"We are still improving, of course there is still more work to do, but I’m happy with the way things are going.

"I believe sooner or later we’ll find a way and get that type of football on to the pitch.

"I believe if we get the football side right, we’ll have a comfortable position in the table and that’s the main aim for the season. We want a comfortable position and then we can assess where we are and perhaps push a little bit more."

Newport begin the new League Two campaign at Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

Image source, Newport County

Newport County have signed former Leeds United and Burton Albion winger Bobby Kamwa.

The Cameroon-born 24-year-old is the League Two club's 12th summer signing.

Kamwa moved to the United Kingdom at the age of nine and progressed through the ranks of the Leeds academy.

He earned a two-year professional contract at Elland Road before a loan spell at Dunfermline in the Scottish Premiership.

In October 2022, Kamwa joined Burton Albion, where he made 46 appearances, netting four goals.

He played 26 times for the League One club in 2023-24 but was released in May.

"I am very pleased to be here," Kamwa told the Newport website.

"It is a club who have shown a lot of interest in me and the way they have welcomed me has been amazing.

"I have spoken to the manager and he told me about plans going forward. That was something that really excited me."

Newport travel to Hereford on Saturday for their final pre-season game before their League Two opener at Cheltenham on Saturday, 10 August.

Image source, Newport County AFC

Newport County have signed former Swansea City player Cameron Evans after successful a trial.

The versatile defender, 23, has agreed a two-year deal with the League Two club.

Former Wales Under-19 centre-back Evans came through the youth ranks at Swansea City, having joined them at under-9 level.

Evans made one senior appearance for the Swans, in an FA Cup tie against Stevenage in 2021.

He had two loan spells at Waterford in the Republic of Ireland and also represented Sligo Rovers before heading to Conference South side Taunton, where he played last season.

Evans said: “I’ve been on trial over the last couple of weeks and got given a great opportunity, so I’m just really happy that I impressed enough to earn a contract.”

He will be well known to Newport boss Nelson Jardim, who was on the coaching staff at Swansea, as well as Exiles chairman Huw Jenkins, who was previously in charge at the Championship club.

Evans ' arrival means Newport have signed 11 players in the summer transfer window.