Newport County Need Cardiff Boost to Spark Fight for Survival

 

Having quite literally hit rock bottom following a 1-0 defeat to Swindon, Newport County fans could be forgiven for scoffing at the idea that the only way is up.

The arrival of David Hughes as boss offered new optimism over the prospect of building towards a brighter future.

Having collected four points from their opening two matches, in addition to beating Barnet in the EFL Cup, there was certainly something of a buzz around Rodney Parade early on.

But that hope has seemingly diminished entirely following an abysmal run in which the Exiles have earned just one point from the last 27 on offer.

The latest League Two loss, 1-0 to Ian Holloway's high-flying Swindon, saw Newport fall to last place in the fourth tier, giving fans a horrifying glimpse of just how precarious the club's overall position is at present.

Their combination of being too blunt in the final third and leakier than a sieve at the back has proven to be a recipe for disaster so far.

They have made the fewest number of final third passes in the league this term and are averaging just 9.9 shots per game - with only Walsall and Cheltenham managing fewer.

Their inability to hurt sides is also evidenced by the fact that they are one of only seven teams yet to score from a counter attack situation.

From a defensive perspective, only fellow strugglers Cheltenham (24) have conceded more league goals than Newport's tally of 21.

Aside from the encouragement of the opening two weeks, Newport's league campaign has increasingly snowballed into something of a horror show. 

But it is nothing new under the watch of chairman Huw Jenkins given that the club ended a dismal 2024-25 campaign without a win in their final nine league outings under former boss Nelson Jardim.

It leaves them with just one victory in their previous 20 league fixtures, the kind of record that would have the Grim Reaper that is the National League sharpening its scythe with anticipation.

It has led to serious unrest among the Newport faithful, many of whom turned on Jenkins last Saturday.

Numerous home supporters at Rodney Parade for the visit of Swindon chanted against the former Swansea City chief, understandably so having overseen what is the club's worst start to a season for 20 years. 

When asked after the Swindon reverse if he still felt he could turn his side's fortunes around, Hughes had no hesitation in saying, "absolutely".

READ MORE: Defiant David Hughes Vows to Fight on After Newport Fans Turn on Chairman

And on the chairman, Hughes stated Jenkins is "totally committed".

Let's not forget, though, this is the same chairman who rescued the club during its hour of need not too long ago, and one who is managing a number of internal issues that quite simply he could do without.

There is no doubt that the coming weeks are crucial for Newport, and perhaps even for former Manchester United youth coach Hughes.

The Exiles return to league action against Accrington Stanley on Saturday before facing Cheltenham and Harrogate - three sides all currently in the bottom half of the table.

For the few, and they do certainly appear to be in the minority, who can still manage to adopt the glass half full mentality, they will at least take some heart from an encouraging second half display against a Swindon side who are among the early pace-setters in the division.

Hughes may also be eager to point to the fact that, at an average of just 24.4 years of age, Newport have fielded the youngest team of any of the 24 sides in the fourth tier so far this season. 

He will hope there is a huge potential for growth.

Players including Ben Lloyd and Habeeb Ogunneye are on the first loans of their fledgling careers while Lee Jenkins is the latest to be making the sizable step up from the Cymru Premier to the Football League.

The huge plus was, of course, stopping the rot on Tuesday night, against neighbours Cardiff City of all people.

Granted, the league record is still appalling, but the 1-0 triumph over the Bluebirds in the EFL Trophy gave the players, manager and fans a much-needed lift.

Having been a crucial fixture on numerous occasions over the years, Saturday's contest with Accrington Stanley already has the look of a relegation six-pointer to it.

And while there is now at least a shed of light at the end of the tunnel this week, should the trend of their season-by-season regression since reaching the play-off final at Wembley just over four years ago continue, the only way will be down for a side who not too long ago were genuine contenders to move up the football pyramid.