Newport County

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Nelson Jardim says his Newport County squad need to make full use of their upcoming week to recover after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Peterborough United.

Aaron Wildig, Bryn Morris and James Clarke were all notable absentees for the Exiles' first round encounter with Darren Ferguson's side at Rodney Parade.

"We've been struggling with a couple of injuries or knocks," said Jardim.

"There was a little bit of illness around the team as well. That's why [Aaron] Wildig didn't play, Bryn [Morris], a couple of others. Even Bobby [Kamwa], three days ago he was not well.

"Now it's about recovery, but also about which areas we can improve. I think that's the key."

Newport looked on course for an upset after early goals from Anthony Glennon and Kai Whitmore put them 2-0 up after just seven minutes.

But the visitors hit back in style, as Abraham Odoh and Joel Randall netted prior to a late Ricky-Jade Jones brace as Posh survived a scare in south Wales.

Shane McLoughlin was an unused substitute for the hosts after he made his long-awaited return to a matchday squad following two months out with a knee injury.

But Jardim revealed the defender was not thrust back into the limelight against League One Peterborough given his lengthy period out of action.

"We had a report from the medical side that he could only be ready for a maximum of 20 minutes so you're not going to risk him and possibly lose him for the next chunk of games," added Jardim.

Newport return to League Two action against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County’s players have been practicing penalties this week ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup first-round tie at home to Peterborough United.

Head coach Nelson Jardim has confirmed they have planned who will take the spot kicks if the game goes to a shoot-out.

The tie has to be decided on Saturday so could involve extra time and eventually penalties.

Confirming his players had practiced penalties this week, Jardim said: "We don’t know who is going to be on the pitch but we will have a list ready. You have to be brave.

“It is one thing to practice in training sessions but another thing in a match and in such an important competition.

"Sometimes it has a little bit more to do with your emotion and how cold you can be in that moment, rather than sometimes being very good on the training ground.”

Newport midfielder Bryn Morris saw his penalty saved in last Saturday’s League Two goalless home draw with Fleetwood Town.

Jardim quipped: “We have practiced penalties. Bryn practiced one last week!”

The Exiles head coach is convinced Morris, who is a fitness worry for the tie, will shrug off that disappointment when required.

"He will improve again... he is good, it (missing) just happens. You have seen Cristiano Ronaldo missing penalties.

"Sometimes we don’t give credit to the goalkeepers, they work hard as well. Some of the saves are down to the keeper and in Bryn’s case it was a great save.

"The ball just rolled on the line, just one of those football moments. It’s gone now, there are no issues at all, that is just part of the game."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim says it will be a "privilege" to take charge of a team in the FA Cup for the first time.

The Portuguese coach acknowledged the competition has a special place in the football world.

And he is well aware of how valuable Newport’s exploits have been in this competition over recent years.

The Exiles' first round tie against Peterborough United will represent a personal milestone for Jardim, who was appointed by chairman Huw Jenkins last summer.

"It is massive," said Jardim."I have experienced it before in other clubs - Swansea, Leicester and Birmingham. But now as a head coach it is a different story."

Jardim watched the likes of West Ham United's Paulo Futre in the Premier League when growing up in Portugal but believes the history of the FA Cup makes it a special competition even though all countries have their own domestic trophy tournaments.

He said: "You cannot compare. A cup is a cup, but this one is the one that everyone always dreams to play in and it will be a privilege for me. It is a big day and goes along with how important it is for this club."

Under Mike Flynn’s reign as manager Newport had financially bountiful FA Cup exploits, beating former Premier League champions Leicester City and Championship clubs Leeds United and Middlesbrough.

They also took part in money spinning ties against Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

Last season they were rewarded for overcoming Eastleigh after a replay with a memorable third round home tie against Manchester United, making a stirring comeback from 2-0 down before losing 4-2.

"It has been a big deal. You have to have a bit of luck with the draws but I think the only thing you can do is be focussed, be ready, be with good energy and try to do your best and hopefully get the result we want."

Image source, Getty Images

Following significant upheaval at the club over the summer, Nelson Jardim will be more than pleased - while there have been both ups and downs - with his start to life as Newport County boss.

The Exiles sit 14th in League Two after 14 games, three points adrift of the play-off places and 11 clear of the relegation zone.

That is 19 points for Jardim who took control in July. But how does his start as Newport boss compare to his predecessors in the Rodney Parade dugout?

Jardim's record in the league so far consists of six wins, one draw and seven defeats.

Graham Coughlan - the man Jardim replaced as boss - managed five wins, six draws and just three defeats to gain 21 points from his first 14 league matches, two more than Jardim.

James Rowberry had the best start when it comes to recent managers. He gained 27 points courtesy of winning eight games and drawing three of his first 14 league outings as head coach.

Even in the midst of a seemingly fatal relegation battle, Michael Flynn gained 24 points (two of which came after being appointed permanently) to steer the club to safety in the most remarkable fashion.

The record in the years prior to that were uninspiring to say the least.

Graham Westley picked up just 10 points from his first 14 league games, with 10 defeats during that period.

Warren Feeney oversaw a far healthier return of 21 points consisting of six wins, three draws and five losses from his first 14 league games.

John Sheridan left for Oldham Athletic having coincidentally managed exactly 14 league games at Newport - winning just three, drawing six and losing five to pick up 15 points.

As for Terry Butcher, he did not even last 14 League Two games in south Wales.

The former England international was sacked after 10 league matches with a record of just one win, two draws and seven defeats, giving Newport just five points.

So all in all, Jardim's return is certainly healthy when compared to those who have held the post before him.

The Portuguese - along with club chairman Huw Jenkins - will understandably point to the fact that the current new-look squad is continuing to gel while it is also loaded with players in the earlier stages of their professional careers.

And as he closes in on the one-year mark of his tenure as chairman at Rodney Parade, Jenkins can be fairly satisfied with the current trajectory of the club.

Image source, Newport County

Newport County have appointed Rob Thomas as the club’s new head of goalkeeping.

Thomas served as National Goalkeeper Coach Education Coordinator at the Football Association of Wales (FAW) Trust for the past 15 years.

He will now form part of Nelson Jardim's backroom team at Rodney Parade - replacing previous goalkeeping coach Jim Hollman who recently left the club by mutual consent after six years.

A club statement read: "Newport County would like to extend its gratitude to Jim for his contribution over the years and wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

Thomas has spent the past two seasons at Cymru Premier side Haverfordwest County.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Nelson Jardim hopes Newport County will benefit from a midweek without league action in their FA Cup tie with Peterborough United.

The Exiles have played six League Two matches in October prior to their first round encounter with Darren Ferguson's side at Rodney Parade on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

And Jardim hopes his squad can use the additional recovery period and training ground time to deliver a strong performance against League One Posh.

"The cup game is a massive challenge for us. That’s something we are looking forward to," said Jardim.

"This week we will give a little bit more rest to the players who have been playing week in, week out.

"We have a little bit more time to prepare for the game which is a massive one for us.

"We will be looking to prepare for the game very well and make the players feel this is even more important than a league game."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Nelson Jardim reckons his “growing” Newport County side can be reasonably happy with the start they have made to the League Two season.

Newport are 14th in the table after 14 league games under Jardim, who is in his first season as an EFL boss having succeeded Graham Coughlan.

The Exiles are just three points outside the play-off places and 11 clear of the relegation zone.

“We have played 14 games now, not even a third of the competition, and we have 19 points,” said head coach Jardim.

“I think we are doing fairly well. We have to keep pushing and being positive, knowing that this league is very difficult.

“We have to remain calm and adjust what we need to adjust each week to make sure we are competitive.”

Newport’s defensive record has been a concern in the early days of the Jardim era, with 24 goals conceded in his first 12 league games.

But the Portuguese feels his team have shown signs of progress after successive clean sheets, with Saturday’s goalless draw against Fleetwood coming on the back of a 2-0 win at Gillingham.

“We have to take the positives which is back-to-back games without conceding goals,” Jardim added.

“That shows the team is growing, being more competitive and hard to beat. That’s something we are looking for and will give us a foundation for the future.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

After a confidence-boosting win on the road, Newport County return to Rodney Parade looking to make up for their dismal show at home last time out.

Head coach Nelson Jardim says his squad will be looking to atone for their poor performance in the 3-0 defeat at home to Chesterfield as they take on Fleetwood Town on Saturday.

The loss to the Spireites contributed to a dismal run of three consecutive reverses for the Exiles.

But Newport ended that sequence last Tuesday when they won 2-0 at Gillingham.

Jardim said: “That was one of those games that can only give you confidence in the way you are working and the way the boys are performing.

"It was a very positive win but we must carry on what we are doing and what we are believing in.”

And he admitted the visit of Fleetwood, just a place behind Newport in the League Two table in 14th, would be a chance to banish the fans’ memories of the last home game.

He said: “The fans have been great to us. It is always disappointing when we don’t win, but as a coach I can’t promise we will win every game. But I can promise everyone in the club is doing their best every day.”

Newport were trailing within the first minute against Chesterfield but will be buoyed by their midweek result as they take on a Fleetwood side managed by former Scotland and Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam.

The Lancashire club are currently a place behind Newport standing 14th in the League Two table having lost their last two games.

But they have proven adept on their travels, collecting 10 of their 16 points on the road with three wins and a draw.

Newport have been assessing midfielder Bryn Morris who was taken off at half-time at Gillingham with a knock and Jardim believes that precautionary measure will pay off.

He said: “Sometimes you have to make big decisions and when you are winning 2-0 at half-time, we knew that second half was going to be tough.

“We cannot afford to lose a player like Bryn as well, so you have to take a good decision. It has proven it was a good decision, we have saved the player and managed to win the game.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim would be keen for Kyle Hudlin to extend his current loan with the League Two club.

And the in-form giant Huddersfield Town striker would be “open” to the idea of remaining with the Exiles for the rest of the season.

The 6’9” forward joined on loan from League One Huddersfield in August, following an injury to Hamza Kargbo, who is still working his way back to fitness.

But Jardim is impressed by what he has seen of Hudlin.

“I have spoken about the character and everything, he is definitely one of the players we are lucky to have around and he is one of them I would like to keep," he said.

“If that was only my decision I would definitely want him and he has proven why.”

Hudlin, one of the tallest footballers in the world, has hit three goals in his last five Newport appearances including a well taken strike in Tuesday's 2-0 win at Gillingham.

Just over a year ago, the former student had a contract extension with Huddersfield to keep him with the Yorkshire club until 2026.

But if the Exiles were to push for a loan deal beyond January, they player would give it serious consideration.

"I am very open to it," said Hudlin.

“It’s all about analysing what pops up in January, what Huddersfield want and obviously what works for both parties. But so far I am really enjoying my football, I really like the staff and the players.

“It’s just about keeping my head down seeing how far I can take it up until the deadline and then we will re-evaluate from there.”

During the summer, Newport chairman Huw Jenkins instigated an overhaul of the Exiles' playing staff and brought in 17 players. All bar one, like Hudlin, aged 24 or under.

A clutch of loan players were included in that number by Jenkins, who will have the final say on whether to push for a longer loan stay for the former Solihull Moors forward.

Jardim admitted: “To be fair I don’t do my days thinking about what type of agreements they have.

“I go through days trying to find ways to improve players and making them feel they are well treated, getting what they need and the reasons why they came here.

“I am sure they are happy, that is the feedback I am having not only from these players but also from the clubs.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Matt Baker admitted it felt “weird” to score against the club which nurtured his early steps in professional football.

But the defender, 21, seems to relish returning back to his home in the garden of England.

Baker’s clinical strike put Newport on their way to Tuesday’s fine 2-0 League Two win at Gillingham, where the Wales Under-21 cap spent 10 years as a youngster.

The former Stoke player said: “It was a good feeling, it's my old club so a weird feeling to score.

“But to go one up and take the second with Kyle Hudlin’s goal and stick in the game until the final whistle, I thought we did really well.”

Baker, who had two loan spells at Newport before joining permanently in June, was on the Gillingham books from 2011 to 2021. He paid tribute to the upbringing he had with Kent’s only Football League club.

“I think the 10 years I was here I really enjoyed it. The staff who coached me and the players I met here made me the player who I am today. I am only grateful for what the Gills have done for me," he added.

He certainly enjoys returning. Baker has now played for Newport three times at the Priestfield Stadium – and has returned to Wales with a victory every time.

Baker’s fierce, rising shot from a Bobby Kamwa free-kick was the versatile defender’s third goal of the campaign, but his roots meant a dilemma when the ball had gone in the net.

Asked if he celebrated, Baker said: “I was in between celebrating and not celebrating. I have a lot of respect for the club, but I am a Newport player at the end of the day, so to score it’s hard not to celebrate.”

The goal and victory improved a mixed couple of weeks for Baker, who qualifies for Wales through his mother who was born in Narberth.

He was part of the Wales Under-21 squad whose hopes of making their first tournament finals were undone by defeat at the hands of the Czech Republic.

The 2-1 defeat was also hampered by an administrative error by the Football Association of Wales which ensured Matty Jones' side did not have a clutch of players available to them for the key qualifier.

Because of international duty head coach Nelson Jardim opted to side line Baker, who watched as Newport crashed 3-0 at home to Chesterfield last Friday.

“It's been a busy few weeks, disappointing with the under-21s, but to come back in straight away after Friday, you have to be straight at it and I think myself and the whole team, fought really hard for that win (at Gillingham).”

Baker, who can also play in midfield, has now moved up to second in the Newport goal scoring charts having netted three league goals.

He is now on a par with Huddersfield loanee Kyle Hudlin - who also netted against Gillingham - and is one behind skipper Aaron Wildig.

“The first two seasons I did not have one goal," Baker said.

"I said to myself I need to get on the score sheet more. Now three goals in eight league games this season is good going. I want to keep it up and keep scoring for the team.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim has called for patience to be shown to his young team believing they have further improvements in them.

The Exiles ended a three game League Two losing run with a 2-0 win at Gillingham on Tuesday night.

And Jardim declared: “This was about the team, these boys have been brilliant every day at the training ground.

“It's not easy to go through a spell of three defeats, but that is where you show the type of person you are and the character you have.

“I can assure everyone at the club – and the fans – stick with us, be a little bit more patient, because we can only get better.”

The Newport triumph was only their second on the road in the league this season, following a 1-0 win at Morecambe on August 31.

A doughty defensive display – after first half goals from Wales under-21 defender Matt Baker and giant striker Kyle Hudlin - also earned Newport just their second league clean sheet of the campaign.

Going into the match Newport had the joint-worst defensive record in League Two, having conceded 24 goals. But that dubious honour is now held by Carlisle, who have leaked 27 goals.

Jardim cited errors which cost Newport in their run of three defeats, at Bradford, Harrogate and in last Friday's 3-0 reverse against visitors Chesterfield.

The Newport boss said: “You expect them (mistakes) to happen during the season. Sometimes they all happening at the same period and I think that is what was happening (to us).

“The clean sheet is massive for us and can actually give us confidence that we are good when it comes to defending.”

Newport signed 17 players during the summer transfer window, every one of them bar Courtney Baker-Richardson the age of 24 or under.

Newcastle loanee Jamie Miley made his league bow at Gillingham and Jardim thinks some of the players are still adapting the physical rigours of League Two.

Jardim said: “We have to build that type of match fitness in the squad. All the boys who are used to playing at this level do not need that, but these young boys need a bit of extra care.”

Newport continued their remarkable run at the Priestfield Stadium where they have won on their last three league visits, consigning Gillingham to a fifth consecutive defeat.

But with Newport having ended their poor run, with injured players still to return, the Exiles are currently 13th in the table, just three points outside the play-offs and 10 points clear of the bottom two.