Newport County

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Seven games in and Newport County's new League Two season has been a story of ups and downs.

After an opening day defeat, Nelson Jardim's side won three on the bounce, but have since suffered three defeats, conceding 10 goals in the process.

They currently sit 14th ahead of Saturday's home game against Crewe Alexandra.

We asked you to have your say on the season so far. Here's what you told us:

Ian: It’s a change of football philosophy at Newport, change takes time, it’s not instant.

The squad is full of potential but at this stage that’s all it is, the young players will need to adapt, learn, settle and find their feet quickly.

This will mean some ups and downs and we are already seeing that across the first few games. Injuries haven’t helped.

Paul: Let us be positive nine points from six games and top10, everyone would have taken that. I believe we have some very good technical young players, what I would like to see is investment in another experienced goalkeeper and two big experienced defenders with league One or Two experience. If we do that, the young players will flourish.

Terry: Newport needs a manager, Nelson Jardim is a pure coach. The club had a manager in Graham Coughlan, but his 'my way or the highway' approach eventually cost him his job. There are managers around who have a softer approach and that is the type County should seek.

Richie: We need a fit and imposing centre half, maybe two. Dominant in the air, simple as on the floor. We let one go. Shame. When that is in place the defence will be much calmer and confident. Those in front can then be launched and deliver. In this league you need an experienced central defence. With that in place there is hope. Manager OK, for now.

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Former captain Mark O’Brien says Newport County’s defensive struggles is not a worry – but admits the young Exiles do need to learn lessons.

He hopes the impending return of experienced pair James Clarke and Aaron Wildig will help boost the leadership he accepts Nelson Jardim’s side are missing.

County shipped four goals against both Port Vale and Swindon Town before conceding twice at Barrow for a third defeat in a row.

All games have been marked by defensive mistakes under pressure, and former centre-back O’Brien says it is a tough learning curve for a fresh-faced and new-look squad.

Only Accrington Stanley have conceded more than County's 15 from their seven league games so far.

Speaking after the 2-0 loss at the League Two leaders, O’Brien said: “One team were brilliant at the basics and the other wasn’t quite up to it.

“The consistency Barrow showed in making Newport defend and being on the back foot, Newport couldn’t sustain attacks going forward.

“And when the ball comes into the box, as a League Two side you have to be able to defend it.

"But Newport were under that much pressure the cracks were starting to show, and that lack of leadership a little in the backline with not having James Clarke, Aaron Wildig and Shane McCloughlin is starting to be a tell-tale sign.”

Newport now face back-to-back home games against Crewe Alexandra and Salford City in a bid to return to their early-season form, with Clarke and Wildig said by Jardim to still be “two or three weeks” away from fitness following injury.

But O’Brien added: "I don’t think it’s anything to be worried about so early in the season, but it is something that will need to be looked at.

“To call it a worry would be too strong; when you’ve got inexperience in the squad, the harsh reality of football is that you have to learn on the job - which is what some of these players are doing.

“I think it will take a little bit of time and when experience comes back I think you’ll see a different outfit.”

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Newport County manager Nelson Jardim admits they are missing their old heads – but says heading home will help pave the way for their return.

The young Exiles lost a third match on the spin as they went down 2-0 at League Two leaders Barrow.

Jardim says injured senior duo James Clarke and Aaron Wildig should be back in “two or three weeks” to help boost the side.

But, with back-to-back home fixtures against Crewe Alexandra and Salford City to come, Jardim believes his team can return to winning ways in the meantime.

Speaking after the loss, Jardim said: “We are missing the experienced players. The timing with losing Clarkey and Wildig, just to mention those two, of course my options in these games would have been better if they were with us.

“But it’s making sure when they come back in two or three weeks to work hard to make sure we can pick up again and see the future in a positive manner.

“Barrow showed why they are top of the league, they are a good team who play good football but are also a physical team. If you look every one-v-one we came across we lost most of them.

“But we have to go back, to address what we need to do and look forward to make sure these home games are massive for us; we have two games to bring some more points for us.

“We know the direction we want to take, it’s just keeping the boys motivated and focussed on their jobs.”

County are 13th in the table after early momentum has faded, but Jardim added: “With seven games done, we are halfway up the table. If you would have told me to have nine points at mid-table at this stage I would have taken it at the start of the season.”

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Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim has praised the early season efforts of forward Luke Jephcott.

Jephcott is a former Wales Under-21 international who began his professional career on the books of Plymouth Argyle.

Having joined the Exiles in January this year from Scottish Premiership side St. Johnstone, the forward has made 23 appearances for County in all competitions, but is yet to register a single goal since his arrival, although Jardim is pleased with his impact.

"I’ve been saying that Luke is a good person, a good character and a good player, you can see that," Jardim told BBC Sport Wales.

"He fits the way we see the game, he suits us in that number 10 role. I also feel that the false nine role is something that would suit him if we needed it.

"Luke just needs that goal to give him that confidence, I think it will come sooner rather than later. I'm confident that he’ll reach that level and be there for the team.

"He’s been great to us, he’s always there when you need him and I’m sure he’ll be an important player for the upcoming weeks."

Ethan Latham
BBC Sport Wales

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Midfielder Bryn Morris believes that Newport County can still be successful this season, even with a lack of experience in the squad.

Injuries and suspensions have already played an early role in Newport's season, as the Exiles are without captain Aaron Wildig, defender James Clarke and versatile Irishman Shane McLoughlin to name a few, ahead of Saturday's visit to Barrow.

Morris, 28, featured in all 46 of Newport's League Two fixtures last season, but missed the first three games of this year's campaign with an injury of his own.

With a persistent Achilles issue now behind him, Morris has highlighted the importance of leading by example.

"I’m not one to talk to the younger players one-on-one, but I try to help them on the pitch and lead by example," said Morris.

"I always try to help them with positioning and I try to get them talking constantly, that's super important.

"We do lack experience, but that’s not to say we can’t be successful.

"Having these young lads in the squad definitely brings more hunger, which is good. It brings healthy competition to the squad."

Morris scored seven league goals for Newport last season, but has found himself starting in a deeper role this season, including an appearance at centre-back in the 4-0 away defeat at Swindon Town.

"I’ve played there before, it’s not my most enjoyable position, but I'll always fill in and do whatever the manager asks," he added.

"I think it comes down to personnel and the bodies that we have available. Last season I was given that freedom to go forward, I don’t think we really have that at the minute.

"It does hold me back a bit in terms of being able to push up the pitch more, but that’s not to say that it will continue.

"We’re going to face different teams with formations that will make us set up differently, but for now I'm happy to play my part."

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Oliver Greaves believes Newport County have to get "back to basics" to arrest their drop in league form.

After three consecutive wins in League Two, Newport have suffered consecutive heavy defeats – 4-1 at home to Port Vale and 4-0 at Swindon last Saturday.

Greaves provided a timely morale booster by coming off the bench to score the winner in Tuesday’s 1-0 EFL Trophy victory over West Ham United Under-21s at Rodney Parade.

As Newport prepare to return to league action at third-placed Barrow on Saturday, Greaves believes the performance in midweek is a blueprint to follow.

He said: “We spoke about it in detail, just getting back to basics really, getting the basics right – running, beating your man, coming away from the on-the-ball side of stuff.

“I feel we did that [against West Ham] so hopefully we can push on in the league now and get back to basics."

Former Sheffield United Under-21 forward Greaves had a loan spell at Barrow five years ago.

“They are well known for the hard-working side of things, they have started well," he said.

"It will be a tough test but one we will be ready for and hopefully we can get back to winning ways.

“We knew it wasn’t good enough [at Swindon], it was a bit of an embarrassing first half on Saturday. We came away from the basics, focusing too much on the ball and forgetting to win our battles.

"We got back to the 'brilliant basics' [against West Ham] as they say, and it wins you games of football.”

Greaves, 24, is relishing his return to the professional game having left the Blades aged 20 following injury.

He dropped out of professional football, having spells at Dover Athletic, Buxton and Spanish outfit CD Almunecar City.

But it was his prolific goalscoring form for Northern Premier League side Mickleover which earned him an opportunity to return to the full-time ranks with Newport in the summer.

“I’ve had a couple of years out of football with knee injuries, but I always believed in myself and backed myself to get back up to where I was," he said.

Greaves, who netted on his Newport debut in the 3-2 season-opening defeat at Cheltenham Town, still has to monitor his knee problem.

He said: “I just need minutes. I started off the season with a goal and from that high I had a couple of injections in my knee. So it’s just building that fitness back up now and any minutes I can get.

“I have known that for a few years now. It’s a case of managing it. But at the same time I just want to give everything I can.”

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Newport County captain Aaron Wildig face a spell on the sidelines after suffering concussion.

Former Cardiff midfielder Wildig was substituted with a head injury during Saturday’s 4-0 League Two defeat at Swindon Town and faces a mandatory spell out of action.

Newport assistant coach Dafydd Williams said: “It is concussion. We have revisited that through the protocols the medical department do and had it confirmed.

“I think it’s 12 days Aaron will be out for and there is a return to play protocol to abide by.”

Wildig, 32, will miss the trip to Barrow and will be monitored before Newport host Crewe, on September 28.

His absence is another injury blow for Newport who have suffered two successive league defeats, after winning three in a row – with Wildig scoring in each of the victories.

Newport have a clutch of players out with injury. The latest casualty is Newcastle loan midfielder Jamie Miley, who has had a hernia operation and could be out for a month.

The Wildig situation was revealed after Newport earned a much welcomed 1-0 EFL Trophy victory over West Ham United under-21s at Rodney Parade, on Tuesday night.

Willliams said the win over West Ham, Newport's first victory in this season's competition was important.

He said: "We were bitterly disappointed with the last two league games, especially Saturday.

"But ultimately it was about bouncing back from that and showing that grit and resilience that ultimately when you represent this football club you have to have as a non-negotiable.

“We fell short of that on Saturday and it was all about that (against West Ham) and to be fair the boys delivered."

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A 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.

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Newport 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.

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Newport 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

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Former 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."

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Newport 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.”

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Aaron 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.”

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Newport 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.”

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Newport 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.

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We 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.