Newport County

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Newport boss Nelson Jardim says his side can take confidence from their hard-fought draw against promotion-chasing Notts County when they return to action on Tuesday.

County travel to face Wimbledon who currently occupy one of the League Two play-off spots.

Jardim hopes the goalless draw at Meadow Lane will boost his side as they seek a first victory since the 2-0 win over Gillingham on 22 October.

“Last week was a good point away to a very good side,” he said.

“We knew these run of games would be tough and especially those two games [Notts County and Wimbledon], but I think the performance from the last game gives us good confidence.

“We knew we were conceding too many goals but the last few results have shown we are improving in that side of our game."

Jardim recognises Johnnie Jackson's Wimbledon as “one of the main contenders in the division”.

“They have a strong squad and have a good system in place. They have a clear way of playing and make it hard for any team when you play against them," Jardim said.

"They’re one of the consistent teams in the league of late this season, but also last season too.

“We’re expecting them to be on the front foot, try and create a lot of problems, but it’s down to us to have a clear idea of what to do and how to stop them.”

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Joe Thomas has gone from Cymru South rookie to League Two player via a spell on the books at Swansea City.

In the wake of the "special moment" that was his EFL debut, Thomas says his stint with the Swans has played a central part in his journey to Newport County's first team.

The 22-year-old made his Exiles debut as a 62nd-minute substitute in Saturday's creditable goalless draw at Notts County.

He can now call himself a fully fledged EFL player, which has been the goal ever since he left Cambrian & Clydach Vale – now known as Cambrian United – for Swansea in January 2022.

"I'd only just gone up to the first team with Cambrian in the summer and by Christmas I signed for Swansea," Thomas explained.

"As a club, the way Swansea like to play has benefited me massively. Any team that wants to play like we are trying to play now… I have done that every day at Swansea for two-and-a-half years so that has helped me massively."

Thomas, who can play anywhere on the right flank, but his happiest at wing-back, joined up with Swansea's under-21 side, leaving in the summer without making a senior appearance for the Championship club.

He signed a two-year deal with Newport, though his start to life at Rodney Parade was not helped by an ankle injury.

But after making his first senior appearance in the EFL Trophy defeat at Reading earlier this month, Rhondda-born Thomas was given his big chance by head coach Nelson Jardim at Meadow Lane.

"I started in the cup game a couple of weeks back and I thought I played well," he said.

"I didn’t want to boost my ego or anything like that, but I thought hopefully I will get a chance in the league soon. Now that has come. It was a surreal moment, but I am really happy."

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Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim says he was made to feel old after giving a debut to new signing Geoffroy Bony in Saturday's goalless draw at Notts County.

The 19-year-old is the son of former Ivory Coast international Wilfried Bony, who played for Manchester City, Swansea City and Stoke City.

And like his old man, Bony plays up front.

Bony spent several weeks training with the Exiles before signing a deal last week.

"He’s been working with us hard, he’s just a nice boy, and Geoff just shows how old I am getting," joked Jardim.

"When I heard our fans singing his dad’s song, it brought me good memories, very good memories indeed."

Asked how Bony Jr compared to his father, Jardim said: "He’s not even half [as good] yet, but it’s about progression and moving forwards.

"His dad was a different player obviously. He’s learned a lot off his dad, he’s got good genes and mainly he’s a very good boy. Wilfried has done a good job."

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Head coach Nelson Jardim says his Newport County side are "growing" and that there is more to come" from them.

County secured a good point away at League Two promotion chasers Notts County with a goalless draw on Saturday.

It was County’s second successive 0-0 draw and Jardim said: "We just have to keep making sure we keep building on this.

"It was another clean sheet and we’ve had a couple of them now.

"We’ve been criticised for not being consistent and compact but you can see these boys are working hard.

"It’s about us growing together and no matter who comes on they’re ready to perform and understand the ideas and philosophy that we want to play.

"We showed today that we are growing.

"Yes, we’re not at the level I think we should be yet but I can tell you there’s more to come."

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Newport County boss Nelson Jardim is facing a midfield injury crisis – but is determined to stick to the style he is looking to embed at the League Two outfit.

Newport will be without co-captain and joint top scorer Aaron Wildig, who is ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

But the Exiles will also again be without flying wide man Bobby Kamwa (hamstring) for Saturday’s tough encounter at Notts County, who are among the League Two play-off places in sixth.

Newport’s injuries do not stop there. Newcastle loanee Jamie Miley is still ruled out after suffering back spasms and fellow midfielder Noah Mawene, on loan from Preston, is a couple more weeks from returning after a hamstring injury.

Also on the Newport casualty list is left wing back Anthony Glennon who has a back complaint which Jardim says has been “tough to get rid of.”

Newport have won just one of their last seven league games. Their one victory in that run – a 2-0 triumph at Gillingham – was one of only two league wins on the road this season

Though Jardim fully respects Notts County, he was encouraged by the overall performance in last Saturday’s goalless home draw with Grimsby Town.

“I admire what we did last game at home, that’s what I was looking for. It’s important to know about the others but even more important to know about yourself," Jardim said.

“Yes Notts County are going to pose a lot of problems to us but we are expecting to pose a lot of problems to them.”

Jardim admitted he would have to make changes to account for the injuries and predicted a “new set up in terms of line-up.”

“We go there to compete and develop our idea of how the football should be played. We are not going to change on that way. We will have to utilise other players," Jardim added.

“When you change one or two, everything changes, but the main idea we still have clear in our heads as to the way moving forward.”

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Head coach Nelson Jardim has said Newport County will do all they can to nurse their stricken co-captain Aaron Wildig back to full health.

Jardim was "devastated" after Newport confirmed Wildig will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

Wildig, 32, will soon have surgery also knowing his Newport contract expires at the end of this season.

According to Jardim, Wildig was feeling "a little bit down" but the Newport boss said: "Now it's up to us to help him.

"It's not good at his age to have that injury. He was sad and it's up to us to make him feel comfortable and positive moving forward."

Jardim said the contract situation would obviously play on the thoughts of the former Cardiff City player as he contemplates the long road back to recovery.

"I am sure those things go through his mind. But again it's down to us now to make him feel comfortable and positive looking forward and getting him back as fit as possible.

"He also has at least three years at a good level of football, we just have to make sure when he comes back he comes back fit."

Jardim added: "We are known for being a club like that. We try to look after our players, that is the maximum I can say.

"From my end, from my perspective I will do my best to make sure he feels part of it. Even though Aaron knows he's going to have surgery now, I am sure we will see him as soon as possible in the dressing room, watching the games and he will be part of everything."

Jardim's immediate concern will be filling the gaping hole left by the loss of his most experienced player and a midfielder who is currently joint top scorer with four goals.

Newport, currently 15th in League Two, face a difficult task away to sixth placed Notts County on Saturday.

Though Wildig's loss is the latest injury woe for Jardim, he cites the absence of his skipper as an opportunity for someone else.

"I feel like we have other young boys who can step up and are capable of doing a good job for us and obviously this will be their time to show their value."

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Former Newport County manager Graham Coughlan is back in work five months after leaving Rodney Parade.

Coughlan, 50, has taken over as manager of National League Boston.

The Northern Irishman left Newport in June with County chairman Huw Jenkins saying the club wanted to move in a "different direction". Jenkins then appointed Nelson Jardim as head coach.

Coughlan replaced James Rowberry at County in October 2022, ensuring the club avoided a relegation battle after a difficult opening to the season.

An impressive start to the 2023-24 campaign included an FA Cup run and a money-spinning fourth-round tie with eventual winners Manchester United.

However, a slump in form at the end of the season saw them lose eight successive games and Coughlan left after 20 months in charge with Newport having finished 18th in League Two.

The former Bristol Rovers boss succeeds Ian Culverhouse at Boston, with the Pilgrims - who were promoted last season - second bottom in the National League.

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Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim says his side have to be more ruthless in front of goal.

Saturday's stalemate at home to Grimsby Town - in which Kyle Hudlin had a 59th-minute penalty saved - means the Exiles have found the back of the net once in three League Two games.

"You have to focus on the overall performance of the team, I thought we were good, the better team, better team in terms of everything basically," Jardim said after the match.

"But the main one is to create goal-scoring chances, where again we didn't score and a second game at home that we missed a penalty as well."

While the lack of goals remains a concern, a clean sheet and a point after successive league defeats was a positive, especially given Newport's injury problems this campaign.

"I don’t think I had a chance to settle things in terms of the back four," Jardim added.

"I’ve been always forced to change things around with the Shane [McLoughlin] injury and then Matt Baker was a couple of games out because he was playing for Wales and then Clarkey [James Clarke] was injured, and then [Kyle] Jameson got sent off.

"So I’ve been forced to play, I’m looking to make sure we’ve got a consistent manner of play, and obviously playing that back four that we feel is the best one week in week out will help us to be consistent.

"But again positives was, we were okay because we managed to have more of the ball as well and I think it’s also positive the point.

"One third of the league games are gone now, I’ve got 20 points. I would say now, there are still 30-odd games to go, how quick can you get another 10 wins, and we will focus on that."

Newport sit 15th in the table and face a tricky trip on Saturday to sixth-placed Notts County (12:30 GMT kick-off).

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Newport County will know what to expect when away-day specialists Grimsby Town arrive at Rodney Parade.

Dave Artell's side have collected five wins from their last five games on the road in League Two.

And only table-topping Port Vale have a better travelling record in the fourth-tier than the Mariners.

It's helped them into the play-off positions as they head to south Wales five points better off than their hosts.

But Newport boss Nelson Jardim says the difference is a result of small margins – and is hoping home advantage can count for County.

"Grimsby are a very organised team, they are compact and doing well," he said. "In terms of goals scored and conceded they are very similar to us."

Both have scored 19 and Newport have shipped just one more at the other end, and Jardim added: "That they are five points above us shows the small margins in this league.

"We expect a tough game but we have shown we can be good at home. They have a lot of their points away and our home form is better than our away form, but every game has its own story.

"We know home games are massive for us and the support we have is a big factor. We expect a tough game but we are ready for it."

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Nelson Jardim has urged Newport County to stay confident after a poor run but says defeats can hurt even the very best teams.

Newport have just one win in their last eight outings in all competitions, a run that has included six defeats.

And they have picked up only four points from the last 18 on offer in League Two as they prepare to welcome away-day specialists Grimsby Town to Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Exiles boss Jardim accepts that confidence may be a factor for a young squad also hit by injuries.

"Confidence is a huge part of football," said Jardim, whose side go into the game 15th in the table on 19 points, five shy of visitors who occupy the final play-off position.

"Even big teams can lose their way. Look at Manchester City who have still got good players, the best manager in the world, have their way of playing, but the results aren’t coming - and part of that is confidence, because they're not playing badly.

"My task is to make sure we keep our confidence. The players know what we want and need to do, we just have to get everyone thinking the same way which can be the hardest thing to do."

Jardim pointed to recent games where Newport started brightly but buckled, including in last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers.

"It's a factor and we can see that, the way we start games well and then like at Tranmere we lost our way a little towards the end of the first half," he said.

"We went 2-0 up against Peterborough [in the FA Cup] and against Reading [in the EFL Trophy] we were OK for the first half hour but we lose our way.

"It is the experience of keeping that confidence and trusting the way we should play every ball. Sometimes events don't go our way in a game and there is a feeling that goes around the team that we're not in control. But in reality we just have to keep doing what we were doing."

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Newport County have not gone three home league games without scoring a goal in 44 years.

The challenge facing Nelson Jardim's side when they host Grimsby Town this weekend is to ensure that statistic still stands come Saturday evening.

The Exiles will be looking for a first win in front of their own fans since a 3-1 victory over Salford on 1 October.

They have since played two home league games, a 3-0 loss to Chesterfield and a goalless draw with Fleetwood.

Though Newport did find the net in an FA Cup defeat to Peterborough at Rodney Parade earlier this month, they will run out against Grimsby looking to avoid matching the club's run of three home league games without a goal in October 1980.

Len Ashurst was the manager when the Ironsiders - as they were known then - went three Third Division matches without scoring at Somerton Park.

They lost 1-0 to Oxford before being beaten 2-0 by Plymouth and then drawing 0-0 with Reading.

As has been the case with Jardim's side, there were knockout goals during the barren league run, with Newport putting four past Irish side Crusaders during their run to the quarter-finals of the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Newport went on to finish 12th that season, their first at the third-tier level since 1962 following promotion in the previous campaign.

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Newport County are set for transfer talks as they begin early planning for the January window.

The League Two club this week confirmed they had ended a run of financial losses after submitting their latest accounts.

Chairman Huw Jenkins described the return to profit as "light moving forward" after his takeover helped end a period of serious concern.

However, the club's recent FA Cup first-round exit means there will be no repeat of the money-spinning televised tie against Manchester United which helped swell the coffers in the financial results that covered the 2023-24 season.

It remains to be seen whether that will impact on January spending plans.

After 17 signings over the summer, Jenkins had said further additions in the winter would be "unlikely".

But head coach Nelson Jardim says transfer discussions are scheduled as Newport consider what business might be done.

"We are set to have meeting in upcoming days, but at the moment that period is a little bit far away and [so is] having an idea of what we might need," said Jardim ahead of the Saturday's home game with Grimsby Town.

"There is a lot of time before January and a lot of games too, so the focus should be on them and just keeping an eye on how things develop and what we need, if we do need."

This season is being seen by some as a campaign in which foundations are laid after a change of ownership at Newport was followed by a change in the dugout, with Jardim replacing Graham Coughlan over the summer.

"We're still trying to move forward and both areas go along together," said Jardim.

"The financial side, everyone is working hard to make sure club goes right direction and a lot is being done behind the scenes.

"On the pitch we are not at the level we want to be - or will be. There are always setbacks and we are in a tough spell, but we are determined to get back on good track - that good run will come.

"Where we are is closer to the play-offs than to the bottom of the table and you cannot say that's negative."

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Newport County have reached the 20-game mark in all competitions under the guidance of head coach Nelson Jardim.

Remarkably, only one of those games has ended in a draw.

It has usually been a case of all or nothing for Newport this season, whose undulating form continues ahead of Saturday's home League Two fixture with Grimsby Town.

Jardim must hope that not for the first time this season, Newport can find a way to turn their fortunes around.

The Jardim era began with successive defeats in August, before the Exiles responded with three straight wins.

Three more losses followed before a run of three wins in four, then came three more defeats.

Next Newport delivered victory at Gillingham and followed that with the one draw under Jardim thus far, at home to Fleetwood Town at the end of October.

Since then, cup losses against two sides from League One, Peterborough United and Reading, have come either side of a disappointing league reverse at Tranmere Rovers last weekend.

Newport have not gone four games without winning all season, so Jardim's players may feel they are due a maximum when Grimsby come to Wales.

David Artell's side will not arrive in great form, having won only one of their last five in all competitions.

Having said that, Grimsby's recent record on the road in the fourth tier is excellent.

After losing their first three away league games of the season, the Mariners have racked up five successive victories on their travels.

As a result, only leaders Port Vale have taken more away League Two points in 2024-25.

Nothing is likely to come easy, therefore, as Newport look to halt their latest losing sequence.

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Newport County missed out on a place in the EFL Trophy last 32 after falling to a late 3-0 defeat at Reading.

A pleasingly adventurous opening saw both sides go close, with Reading's Ben Elliot seeing an early effort rebound off the woodwork, while a free-kick from Newport's Bobby Kamwa sailed just wide.

Courtney Baker-Richardson nearly made the Royals pay for a sloppy back-pass but goalkeeper David Button was alert to snuff out the danger.

Mamadi Camara had the ball in the back of the net for Reading after the break but his effort was ruled out for offside.

But with time running out Reading scored two quick-fire goals as Harvey Knibbs broke the deadlock on 73 minutes, before Jayden Wareham struck two minutes later.

Knibbs still had time to grab his second to send the Royals through alongside Southern Group H winners Cheltenham Town.