Newport County

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BBC Sport asked Newport County fans what head coach David Hughes needs to change to turn around fortunes after an eight-game winless run that includes seven defeats.

Here is what fans had to say after Saturday's 4-1 loss at Chesterfield:

Dan - Desperately in need of some experience. Games just seem to be passing us by, without any real grit. We've lost the identity that's kept us in the league for a gamble on youth.

Peter - Hughes has failed to get the team performing. He is inexperienced and naive tactically. Relegation threatens. Mike Flynn is available. He can save the club.

Kevin - Think it's time to move on and get a new manager in. He has had enough time to get a winning side but is well out of his depth. It's embarrassing for all County fans, from the end of last season to this.

Paul - Mirror successfully League 2 winning teams. Strong spine to the side. Commanding goalkeeper who comes for crosses. Two very strong athletic centre-halves. Midfield players need to be athletic, big and mobile. And a goal scorer. Rest of the team fits around strong spine. We need a proven league manager.

Chris - Bring in players who have EFL experience. It's men against boys. He said we'd be hard to beat, we are the total opposite. So easy to play against. Individual errors. The squad simply isn't EFL quality, it's more aligned to Conference South so Hughes, who's been let down by the owner Huw Jenkins, has a very tough job on his hands

Terry - Right now he needs to get someone to play a holding midfield role because teams are running straight through Newport. Also he needs to find a way of making the Exiles hard to beat. It's not pretty, but a previous manager did it - before he was ousted!!

Newport County boss David Hughes was left to rue "too many unforced errors" after the Exiles' poor form continued with a heavy defeat at Chesterfield on Saturday.

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Newport County's testing run is showing no signs of easing up as they return to action against promotion-chasing Swindon Town next Saturday.

But what do you think boss David Hughes needs to change to turn around the Exiles' fortunes after a torrid start to the League Two campaign?

Have your say here!

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County boss Dave Hughes has praised "outstanding" support from fans who he says have stuck with him and the side – despite their difficult run.

County head to Chesterfield this afternoon having enjoyed just one league win all season.

But despite concerns, Hughes hopes fans are able to see aspects of improvement – and is determined to deliver to repay their faith.

He said: "It's been really clear that players need the support - and the fans have been outstanding in how they've stuck with it.

"I think you look at every game we've played at home, players have been cheered off, which is really, really important.

"So what we have to do is keep giving them that spirit, that grit, that determination, creating an environment where the opposition know when they turn up at Rodney Parade it is going to be tough.

"So we thank them for sticking with us and they can rest assured we're doing everything we can to get that next three points for them."

Hughes acknowledged it has been hard for fans, but said: "We've stressed to players they have to understand what Newport is as a club, understand the history of the club, one that has always fought against the odds – and that identity will stay part of who we are.

"I think they've seen that and as a consequence they've stayed with us.

"And what we have to tell them is we're doing everything we possibly can to deliver for them."

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

Newport County will still be without some key men when they travel to Chesterfield looking to end their winless run on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Defender Liam Shephard, striker Ged Garner and midfielder Matt Smith all remain sidelined and will not be available to boss Dave Hughes for the game at the SMH Group Stadium.

Shephard "suffered a setback" in his bid to return from a hamstring problem that has kept him out since August, with Hughes saying Garner is in a "similar" situation having been out since the draw at Tranmere.

Meanwhile, Wales international Smith is nursing a back problem having not featured since the opening month of the season.

With no fresh concerns, Hughes will likely field a similar side to the one that impressed against Gillingham, taking the lead and missing a penalty last weekend at Rodney Parade before succumbing to a 3-1 defeat against the promotion-chasers.

Another tough challenge awaits the Exiles as they seek a first league win in eight when they take on the fifth-placed Spireites, who have not won in their past four games, but remain unbeaten in the league at home.

"They are a tough side, a good squad with good players who've been at different levels and a manager who's managed in the Championship," said Hughes.

"They're a really, really open attacking football team.

"From our perspective, if we can deliver what we did last Saturday, it makes for a really entertaining game where we hope we'll look to stamp our own style on the game while also accepting that they're a threat.

"They've got good players, but we believe we have, and anybody who's seen us over the course of the season will I'm sure agree with that. Pulling that together on Saturday to ensure we deliver a performance is all our thinking is around at the moment."

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

Image source, BBC Sport

After Saturday's League Two defeat by Gillingham, we asked for your thoughts on Newport County's poor form this season under boss Dave Hughes.

The Exiles are just one place above the League Two relegation zone, while Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Arsenal Under-21s in the EFL Trophy made it eight defeats in the last nine games across all competitions.

However, chairman Huw Jenkins claims the squad is stronger than it was when he took over almost two years ago.

Here's a selection of what you had to say:

Kevin: At this present moment Newport have no hope of staying up. Need new players and new management from top to bottom. Fed up living on hope (GET IT SORTED).

Russell: Action is needed NOW. Replace Hughes with (Mike) Flynn asap.

Joe: I would instil trust in Hughes, he just needs to keep the same squad and same group of players together. The two signings of Opoku and Braybrooke have made a massive difference. Keep the faith. Up The County!

Rob: Whether Newport had a better team two years ago is irrelevant. The club couldn't, and can't, afford players of that age and experience. We're having to do the best we can within a budget that means we don't go bust (as we would have done if we had kept the squad from two years ago). If that means National League, then I'd rather have a club there than no club at all.

Mathew: Woeful summer recruitment, coupled with an alarming lack of experience and tone deaf statements from the owner means Hughes has been hung out to dry. Relegation beckons.

Robert: Hughes not to blame. He was handed a weak squad by his chairman who did not address the problems from last season with his terrible pre-season recruitment. Most supporters feared the worst from the start.

Carl: I listened and watched the manager's comments after the Gillingham game and he did not fill me with great thoughts/confidence going forward. We are already in the whirlpool struggling to keep our heads above the water before the inevitable takes hold, I'm sorry to say.

Peter: Very poor start to the season. Team is weak in attack, defence and midfield. The aim has to be to finish 22nd, which will be difficult. The manager is inexperienced. If no improvement by the end of October a change will be needed.

Newport County boss David Hughes says he is "not going to express how I am feeling honestly" after the Exiles' EFL Trophy defeat to Arsenal Under-21s.

Newport suffered an eighth defeat in their past nine matches as they were beaten 2-1 at Rodney Parade.

Listen to Hughes' post-match reaction.

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Charles Sagoe's late winner saw Arsenal Under-21s start their EFL Trophy campaign with victory at Newport County.

The hosts looked to be on their way to finding some relief from their League Two struggles when Ben Lloyd struck after just two minutes.

But in the second half Arsenal were awarded two penalties in quick succession, Andre Harriman-Annous seeing his first effort saved but making no mistake with the second to level, before Sagoe broke Newport hearts.

Newport manager David Hughes kept four of the side that started Saturday's 3-1 League Two defeat at home to Gillingham, with Habeeb Ogunneye, Sammy Braybrooke, Michael Reindorf and Bobby Kamwa getting another run-out.

The home side made a perfect quick-fire start when Braybrooke teed up Lloyd to find the bottom left corner.

The Arsenal youngsters almost conjured an immediate reply, with home goalkeeper Jordan Wright saving from Harriman-Annous on the line to protect the lead into half-time.

When Jaden Warner brought down Harriman-Annous in the Exiles penalty area soon after the restart, Wright again shone to save the spot kick by the Arsenal forward

But Harriman-Annous got a second bite at the cherry just four minutes later when he was again brought down - Ogunneye the player penalised on this occasion - and this time held his nerve to convert.

County had the ball in the net as the game moved into the last quarter, but celebrations were cut short with Kamwa judged to have fouled goalkeeper Tommy Setford.

With a penalty shootout seemingly in the offing to decide the tie, former Swansea City loanee Sagoe tucked the ball away from close range after a corner to give Arsenal victory.

After the opening round of matches, the young Gunners sit top of Southern Group A just above Cardiff City on goals scored, with Newport and Exeter City the winless sides.

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Rising star Max Dowman scored a spectacular individual goal for Arsenal Under-21s last weekend – but may not be involved when the young Gunners visit Newport County in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday (19:00 BST).

Winger or attacking midfielder Dowman made headlines when he featured in Arsenal's 5-0 Premier League demolition of Leeds last month.

Dowman was just 15 years and 234 days old when he made his senior debut, leaving him second only to another Arsenal youngster, Ethan Nwaneri, in the list of youngest Premier League players.

Dowman, who has been training with Arsenal's first team since he was 14, also featured as a late substitute in the London club's 1-0 defeat at Liverpool on 31 August.

But the schoolboy dropped back down to under-21 level last Saturday as Arsenal's youngsters – who are managed by former Newport captain Max Porter – beat their Wolves counterparts 3-2.

However, Dowman may well miss out on a trip to south Wales amid suggestions he could feature when Mikel Arteta's senior side go to Port Vale in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

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Newport County hope to get some relief from their struggles in the league when they host Arsenal Under-21s in the EFL Trophy tonight (19:00 GMT).

The Exiles have lost six of their last seven games in League Two, leaving them just one place above the relegation zone.

Dave Hughes insists he will not "throw in the towel" as manager, having only taken over in the summer and overseen a big overhaul of the squad.

And the former Manchester United youth coach hopes their opening EFL Trophy tie at Rodney Parade will help spark a turnaround in County's fortunes.

"We'll respect the threats that [Arsenal] pose, but we'll prepare a team to try to win the game - that's what we always do," said Hughes.

As well as the Gunners, Newport face two League One sides in Southern Group A of the Trophy - Welsh neighbours Cardiff City in the Welsh capital (7 October) and Exeter City at Rodney Parade (11 November).

Hughes says he has to manage his squad carefully as they balance the desire to reach the knockout stages of the competition with the need to improve their poor league form, a trip to Chesterfield next up for the Exiles on Saturday.

"We've got 19 fit professionals at the moment," said Hughes, who will give a late fitness test to midfielder Kai Whitmore (calf) ahead of Arsenal's visit.

"We've got to look after key individuals to make sure we're in with a shout of winning both games this week. They're both important games."

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Newport County are no better than they were two years ago according to former Exiles striker Nathan Blake.

And the ex-Wales international believes County fans are simply hoping there are two worse teams in the division for them to survive.

Dave Hughes' side are one place above the relegation zone after Saturday's 3-1 loss to Gillingham made it six defeats from their opening nine league games.

Newports's only League Two win came at Crawley back on 9 August.

Addressing fans before the Welsh club's 1-1 draw at Tranmere on 13 September, chairman Huw Jenkins claimed the squad was in better shape than when he arrived almost two years ago.

However, Blake - who watches many of Newport's games as a BBC Wales pundit - argues the evidence on the pitch suggests otherwise.

"That's Huw's opinion. But I would totally disagree with it," the former Premier League striker told Radio Wales Sport.

"If you look at when Huw took over, the kind of players they had who then went on to leave the club - experienced players like the [Scot] Bennetts, people like that - they [the current players] are just not as good.

"In my opinion, having played the game, knowing the game and been doing it since I was six years old, I know what I'm seeing and my eyes don't lie to me - Newport aren't as good as they were two years ago. Definitely not."

Hughes says he has no fear over his position as County head coach after his side suffered a seventh loss in eight matches with defeat to the Gills.

The former Manchester United youth coach feels his young squad need support from fans to help them through their difficult spell, but Blake says supporters he has spoken to are worried County are already locked into a fight for survival.

"It's worrying times for Newport," added Blake.

"Yes, last week they got a point to stop the rot, but it's a lot of points they're throwing away.

"Most fans like myself are worried that how do you pick those points back up during the season? You're really going to have to go some.

"At the moment most people are saying they just hope there are two worse teams than Newport for them to survive in this division. It's that bad."

Hughes oversaw a big overhaul of the squad in the summer, bringing in 11 new players on permanent or loan deals, but Blake argues "there's not enough experience" to deal with the demands of League Two.

"If you've got the experience, you've then got to be better than the opponent. I say that about Cardiff City at the moment - they have a hell of a young team, but they're better than a lot of teams they're playing in League One," he said.

"Unfortunately, that's not the case for Newport in League Two. They're not as good as many of the teams, and I don't think their young and inexperienced players have been able to handle the demand that's being put on them."

Image source, BBC Sport

Following a run of seven defeats in eight matches across all competitions for Newport County, the pressure is mounting on new boss David Hughes.

A 3-1 loss to table toppers Gillingham leaves the Exiles above the League Two relegation zone only on goal difference.

And while it is still early days for a young looking team, are the signs under Hughes concerning?

Have your say here

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Newport County will aim to break Gillingham's 20-game unbeaten League Two run at Rodney Parade on Saturday (15:00 BST).

David Hughes' side broke their own streak of six straight losses with a late 1-1 draw at Tranmere Rovers last Saturday.

Gareth Ainsworth's Gillingham made it 20 games without defeat in the division in their 1-0 victory over Notts County.

Their last League Two loss came against the Exiles in March, with Bobby Kamwa scoring all three Newport goals in a 3-1 home win.

"It's a really tough, competitive league, Gillingham are one of those clubs who would be looking to be pushing for promotion," Hughes said of the visitors.

"They're well organised. We know it's going to be difficult, but as always we'll focus on ourselves."

The former Aston Villa and Cardiff City defender took his first management job in professional football at Rodney Parade last May, having most recently been a Manchester United academy coach.

Newport started life under Hughes promisingly with a draw against Notts County and a 2-1 win at Crawley Town, but are yet to take all three points since the second game of the season.

Despite being only outside the relegation zone on goal difference, Hughes still has a positive outlook on his first couple of months as Newport boss.

"The last block has been really tough in terms of results, that's for sure, but performances and levels of intent have been excellent.

"I think the supporters have seen what the players are looking to do, we have to ensure that we keep progressing.

"And that's what the game's about. So our focus is fully on turning performances into three points."

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Liam Shephard's Newport County return has been delayed after the defender suffered a setback in his recovery from injury.

Fellow summer signing Matt Smith also continues to be unavailale and will miss Saturday's League Two game against promotion hopefuls Gillingham at Rodney Parade (15:00 BST).

Shephard had been expected to return to the squad in the next week or so, having missed the last six games due to a hamstring injury.

However, manager David Hughes admits the defender will be out for longer than previously anticipated.

"He had a little setback on Tuesday," said Hughes.

"We're disappointed for Liam more than anything, he was gutted, to be fair to him."

The 30-year-old returned for a second spell with the club at the start of August, scoring in his first game against Crawley. However, Shepard has not featured since the last-gasp defeat at Grimsby.

"He's someone within a group that we value really highly," added Hughes.

"He's an outstanding professional, great character, good personality and we'll offer him our support in the next couple of weeks as he looks to come back."

Wales midfielder Smith was Hughes' first signing when he joined from St Johnstone in June. The 25-year-old, who has 19 caps, has missed County's last two league games due to a back problem.

"Matt has had a couple of slight issues and niggles, which we're trying to resolve and manage, and make sure he's physically right to get on the pitch," Hughes explained.

"When he's played we think he's been really positive, but we haven't been able to get a run of games consistently. He's had a hip injury, and a slight back problem which is what he has at the moment.

"We're trying to ensure we're supporting Matt with his return to competitive games and training, and we look forward to seeing him back on the grass at some point in the future."

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We asked you for your thoughts on what Newport County could achieve this season after Dave Hughes' side ended a worrying losing run with the 1-1 draw at Tranmere Rovers.

Here's a selection of what you had to say:

Russell: "They will get better. They need experience up front to hold the ball up. There is no doubt 50 points is going to be a challenge. Touch & go whether we can stay up."

Adrian: "Only a point but hopefully it will give us much needed confidence. Stats are pretty much even across all games so nothing too drastic to worry about.

Rich: "We can achieve relegation unfortunately. The chairman saying that this squad is better than last year's is ridiculous - and last year it was poor."

Carl: "It's quite clear that major investment is needed just to try and compete on an even playing field. It's tough at the top but it's even tougher at the bottom particularly when you are swimming against the tide trying to hold your head up."

Chris: "I think it's another season of transition while the financial picture is being improved. There are a few signings from last season still needing to prove they are worthy of keeping beyond this season, but the team as a whole are better than last year's version. There are still concerns - too many 'silly' goals conceded and not enough creativity on show."

Ian: "I think it will be a season of challenge again. For Newport to make progress they need a regular team that includes their senior experienced players."

Joe: "If everything clicks into place, we get some experience in the January market and keep everyone fit, a play-off spot could happen. I agree very unlikely, but we just need to believe."

Terry: "Newport's problem is a lack of anyone capable of scoring on a regular basis. Unless they can pick up a goal-scoring free agent, the club could well be mired in a desperate relegation battle by the time of the next transfer window in January!"

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

Newport County chairman Huw Jenkins says he understands supporter frustration after the League Two club's difficult start to the season.

But the Exiles' owner insists there is "renewed optimism" at Rodney Parade, claiming the squad is in better shape than when he arrived almost two years ago.

Jenkins was addressing fans in an update before Saturday's 1-1 draw at Tranmere Rovers, a result that ended a run of six straight defeats in all competitions.

In a statement, Jenkins said summer changes – including bringing in former Manchester United academy coach Dave Hughes to replace Nelson Jardim as boss – had "allowed our club to reset and move forward with renewed optimism for the long season ahead".

The 62-year-old added: "In my opinion, the squad of players we now have is collectively much stronger and an extremely talented group compared to when I joined the club."

Jenkins was approved by fans to complete the takeover of the supporter-owned club in October 2023, with the deal rubber stamped three months later.

The former Swansea City chairman provided a cash injection to stabilise finances and, in his update, highlighted recent "significant developments" including improvements to the club's academy and securing a new training base.

With the side outside the bottom two on goal difference with five points from eight games, Jenkins added: "Belief in what we are doing must be non-negotiable if we are to achieve success. Whilst we can respect our opponents, we need to fear no one as we move forward.

"Football has grown and changed in recent years, and without doubt the standard of teams in League Two is now much higher.

"However, the principles for clubs like ours to compete and succeed remain the same: a fearless approach, solid belief, and confidence in everything we do is the only way to achieve our targets in the months ahead.

"I understand some frustrations are aired when results don't go our way. But I can assure all supporters of Newport County that the management and players are working tirelessly to get our season moving forward in a positive direction. With a consistent level of performance, I am confident the results will follow."

Newport face in-form Gillingham at the weekend after the draw at Tranmere, a result that Hughes said was "an understatement" to call pleasing.

"We've been on a tough run. We've spoken a great deal around fine margins," Hughes said.

"For the players to come back and show the level of grit and determination it reinforces what we think of them as a group and as characters."

Image source, BBC Sport

Newport County brought their six-game losing streak in all competitions to an end with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Tranmere Rovers.

Courtney Baker-Richardson cancelled out Jayden Joseph's first-half opener as the points were shared at Prenton Park.

But will it be another season of battling relegation for the Exiles or can they push on under David Hughes after claiming a valuable point on the road?

Have your say here!