Newport County

Ioan Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County manager Christian Fuchs says simple mistakes are costing his side in their relegation battle.

County had the chance to climb out of the drop zone against fellow League Two strugglers Bristol Rovers on Saturday, but a first half double from Yusuf Akhamrich and a late Fabrizio Cavegn strike condemned them to a 3-0 defeat.

County are now three points from safety, with only Harrogate Town keeping them off the foot of the table.

"It's been the same story in most of our games, we gave away cheap goals," Fuchs said.

"We don't make it easy for ourselves, we need to make better decisions and unfortunately mistakes cost us again."

After a promising start under the Austrian, County have lost their last two league games, a 4-1 defeat at home to Accrington Stanley marking the beginning of a dismal week.

But Fuchs has urged his players to stick together in their bid to keep their football league status.

"Talk is very easy, but you've got to follow it up with actions. We have to hold our own hands up, not point fingers at anybody else," he said.

"I'm appealing to the players that we need to come even closer together, because if we split up then the season's done.

"The boys have been very honest, they understand what has to be done and to take responsibility for their actions."

County will look to bounce back when they host Grimsby Town on Saturday, 7 February (15:00 GMT).

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Sam Vokes feels Newport County have "more than enough" to stay in League Two as they prepare for a crunch meeting with relegation rivals Bristol Rovers on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

The Exiles sit 23rd in the fourth tier, just one point and one position below the Gas before the fixture between the sides at the Memorial Stadium.

In the aftermath of his side's 2-1 win against Chesterfield earlier this month, Fuchs questioned whether or not the club are actually in a relegation battle.

"What relegation battle? There are 20 games left, no? Who's talking about a relegation battle?" said Fuchs.

And Vokes feels the ex-Austria international is attempting to show his squad that he believes they can preserve their EFL status this term.

"When you get to this stage of the season, you are where you are for a reason. There's no hiding away from that," the former Wales striker told the Feast of Football podcast.

"He hasn't got them to this place, so he's come in and tried to rejuvenate them. We've talked about their performances and almost looking like they've turned a corner.

"It was a passionate interview, and it looks like it shows that he's got that belief in his players, which is a positive.

"I think from looking at that bottom six, the way he's got them playing and the way they look, they've got more than enough to stay up. But as I said before, there's no hiding away, they're there for a reason."

Newport have marginally improved under Fuchs following Dave Hughes' reign as boss.

And ex-Wales frontman Iwan Roberts was quick to highlight the importance of the Exiles' fixture against Rovers.

"They've got an absolutely massive game on Saturday - I don't care if he (Fuchs) doesn't think his team's in a relegation battle," said Roberts.

"That is a massive relegation six-pointer against Bristol Rovers. I don't think he's kidding anybody by saying they're not in a relegation battle."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County are set to be without midfielder Matt Smith as well as suspended striker Nathan Opoku for Saturday's trip to relegation rivals Bristol Rovers, which could pave the way for James Crole to get his first start for the club.

Crole scored 11 goals in the first half of the season for Cymru Premier side Penybont but is yet to get off the mark for the Exiles following his January move to Rodney Parade.

"Every time James came on, he did really well," said Newport boss Christian Fuchs.

"He knows how to use his body and lay off the ball which is good for us when we have a hold-up striker that can protect the ball and bring more bodies forward to support him."

Opoku is suspended after being sent off against Accrington but Fuchs is still full of praise for the on-loan Leicester forward.

"The amount of miles he put in to help us defensively was incredible, that to me again shows how much the boys have bought in and how much they want to help the club to be successful," said Fuchs.

Gerard Garner could add to the forward options, with Fuchs saying he is "getting very close" to a return after injury, but the chances of Smith featuring at the weekend are "fairly slim" after he came off at half-time on Tuesday.

"I still keep my hopes up, but it doesn't look too promising," he said.

Fuchs has not ruled out new signings before Monday's January transfer deadline, especially in midfield.

"We are weighing our options right now. It's a position even before Matt went down, that we identified we might need to bring an extra player in," he added.

Ioan Griffiths

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

Harrison Biggins is relishing the challenge of keeping Newport County in the Football League.

The midfielder joined from Shrewsbury on loan this January and made the perfect home debut, scoring in The Exiles' impressive 2-1 win against play-off hopefuls Chesterfield.

County supporters will be hoping midfielder Biggins can continue his form in their fight against relegation.

"I just want to be the best team player I possibly can and help the team and help this club, with their intentions of staying up and even more," said Biggins.

He added: "Looking from the outside in, people had written Newport off and looking at the league table that's far from the case. I think it's a challenge, and I'm up for the challenge."

Biggins was County boss Christian Fuchs' first signing of the January transfer window, and the Austrian has been impressed by the on-loan midfielder.

"He brings a lot of experience and a lot of energy, it's just the personality he has, the presence he has on the field. He's great in both boxes." Fuchs said.

The 29-year-old has attributed much of his form to the coaching of former Premier League winner Fuchs.

"He's a real positive person in meetings and what have you. His coaching is really good as well," said Biggins.

"I think as a player first and foremost you just want to be working with a good person every day. who's honest with you and someone who you can sit and talk to, feel comfortable talking to, and that's certainly what he is."

"There's so much clarity that he gives you so each person knows their roles, it just makes it a lot easier for us."

Next up for the Exiles is a relegation six-pointer at local rivals Bristol Rovers on Saturday, 31 January (12:30 GMT), who are one point ahead of County in 22nd.

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Christian Fuchs says Newport County must eliminate individual errors if they are to pull clear of the League Two relegation scrap.

Newport missed the chance to climb out of the bottom two as they were beaten 4-1 at home by Accrington Stanley on Tuesday.

The Exiles had gone into the game having claimed successive Rodney Parade wins, over Chesterfield and Crewe.

But Fuchs was left ruing the mistakes which led to Accrington's first two goals.

"I think the performance overall when you look at it, when you look at the game, was not the worst that we've seen," said the Newport boss.

"It's just that we make - something that we have addressed too many times - too many individual mistakes. We give away the ball easily and it resulted in two really bad goals.

"That's something that we need to get better. We need to stop because otherwise it will be a tough season, a long season."

After Alex Henderson's early opener, Nathaniel Opoku levelled for Newport before half-time.

But Isaac Sinclair restored the visitors' lead early in the second half before Opoku was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Paddy Madden and Isaac Heath scored late goals to condemn Newport to their heaviest home loss this season.

"It's hard to justify a game like this, especially when you think with 11 men you're on top of them and then you give away two gifts basically," Fuchs added.

"That's very painful, because other than that, I don't think Accrington had too much."

Fuchs offered support to Opoku after he saw red following a high challenge on Madden, with the on-loan Leicester forward now set to miss Saturday's trip to Bristol Rovers through suspension.

"I think it was an unlucky situation because Nathan, knowing him, he doesn't want to go there and hurt him," he said.

Ian Hunt
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

Boss Christian Fuchs has dismissed the idea that Newport County are still in a relegation battle - even though the Exiles have been stuck in the bottom two ever since he arrived.

When Fuchs took over at County in November they were bottom of League Two and have stayed there for all but 17 days of his tenure.

But the former Leicester City defender insists the improvement in their home form - Saturday's 2-1 win over Chesterfield made it seven points from a possible nine at Rodney Parade - and their general play means they should no longer be seen as a team fighting against relegation.

"What relegation battle? There are 20 games left, no? Who's talking about a relegation battle?," said Fuchs.

"No. We're pushing forward. Look at our last eight games. The team has improved massively, they're working their socks off.

"When you go away to Bromley and you're more than competitive, having more possession, could easily go away with a point.

"When you go to Gillingham, where two individual mistakes cost us three points.

"I don't think that's a team that fights against relegation. Of course we're in the position (23rd) where we are right now, but the team looks way better than a team that should be at the bottom of the table."

Asked whether he was convinced Newport will survive in the Football League, Fuchs said: "Of course. Everybody's believing that.

"The basis of the belief is the work they are doing, working hard for it.

"'Relegation battle'....that's only because we are where we are right now, but the team has too much quality to be down there."

The win over Chesterfield lifted County off the bottom of League Two, one point from safety, ahead of the visit of Accrington on Tuesday, 27 January.

A third home win in a row could take Newport out of the drop zone for the first time since Fuchs replaced David Hughes in the hot seat.

"We've had seven points out of the last three home games. We have started some sort of a run at home," said Fuchs. "It's down to us and only down to us to continue that and keep pushing forward.

"Being at home, creating this fortress at home, which we're on a good way to doing, definitely means a lot. When you hear the fans having your back and chanting you forward that is so massive for us. Lifts you more and more.

"Fight for the ball, fight for every inch and run hard. Once the fans see that... then they have incredible support for us. They've been outstanding."

Fuchs said he was "very happy" with Newport's five January signings, and does not expect more new arrivals before the transfer window closes on Monday, 2 February.

"There's nothing on the horizon right now - I'm looking forward to seeing more from Tanatswa (winger Nyakuhwa), same with (striker) James Crole and Lewis (forward Jamieson) as well," said Fuchs, who has also brought in defender Ryan Delaney and midfielder Harrison Biggins.

"They are all good additions that bring more quality to the team, and will help us improve. They will all have a very important role to play."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Assistant manager Mark Smith said Newport "had to turn Rodney Parade back into a fortress" if they were to climb off the bottom of the League Two table.

And Saturday's 2-1 win against Chesterfield has gone someway to achieving that with the Exiles now unbeaten in their last three home outings.

Prior to their 2-0 victory over Crewe on 29 December, County had gone 289 days without a win at home.

"When you go on a run like that at home it's not a good feeling and we want to give the fans everything we've got," said Smith.

"There's some big games coming up but we knew we had to turn Rodney Parade back into a fortress and back-to-back [home] wins is huge.

"Now we've got to use that to kick on one game at a time."

Goals from Harrison Biggins and Michael Spellman earned Newport three points against Chesterfield and crucially lifted them above Harrogate Town.

They are now one point away from Bristol Rovers - who are 22nd - but have a game in hand over their relegation rivals, something Smith says is vital.

"Psychologically it's good for the boys. We want to be in control of our own destiny," he said.

Image source, EFL

A new initiative highlighting the work of football club charities has been launched by the English Football League (EFL).

'Scan to Smile' will be rolled out in stadiums across the EFL from Friday until the end of January, with supporters invited to scan QR codes on posters displayed around grounds.

Each scan will unlock a short, uplifting story from a person whose life has been positively impacted by the support of their local club charity.

The subjects tackled include mental health support, combating loneliness, improving physical wellbeing, employability and confidence.

The EFL said it hoped the initiative would use "the reach and influence of football to offer fans a moment of positivity on matchday".

Trevor Birch, chief executive at the EFL, said: "Behind every club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL club charity.

"This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact first-hand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good."

Image source, EFL

Sammy Braybrooke has won December's League Two goal of the month award for his spectacular long-range strike in Newport County's defeat by Colchester United.

Braybrooke, who was on loan with the Exiles from Leicester City but has since joined Chesterfield, intercepted a pass inside his own half before unleashing a stunning lob from close to the halfway line.

"It feels good to win the award," he said.

"I'm over the moon and hopefully I can get one or two more. Scoring goals has never been a massive strength in my game, but I'm always looking to get shots off from the edge of the box because I believe in my quality, so hopefully there'll be more to come."

Lead goal of the month judge and pundit Don Goodman called Braybrooke's goal "one of the best long-range lobs you're ever likely to see".

Braybrooke beat Port Vale's Ethon Archer, Accrington Stanley's Benn Ward and Bristol Rovers' Jack Sparkes to the award.

Ioan Griffiths

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Christian Fuchs has called for more consistency from his players, as Newport County seek back-to-back home wins when they welcome Chesterfield to Rodney Parade on Saturday, 24 January (15:00 GMT).

The visitors are winless in their past four League Two games and will be looking to bounce back and reignite their push for the play-offs this season.

Newport go into the fixture after frustratingly conceding two late goals in a 3-2 defeat away at Gillingham last weekend.

"From the game itself, there were a lot more positives to take away than negatives," said County head coach Fuchs.

"We created lots of opportunities, put Gillingham under a lot of pressure and unfortunately it didn't work out and we have to move forward.

"The spirit in the group is really good and they know what they're capable of doing, now it's about building consistency.

"We need to put in a performance like we did in the first 20 minutes for 80 minutes and be resilient in our third of the pitch."

The Exiles have been active in the January transfer window, with five new signings coming through the door.

Scottish-born striker Lewis Jamieson will be hoping to make his County debut after signing from United Soccer League Championship club Sacramento Republic last week.

The game will also see the return to Rodney Parade of highly-rated Leicester City midfielder Sammy Braybrooke, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Newport before switching to Chesterfield.

However, County boss Fuchs insists his side are focusing on themselves rather than the opposition.

"Sammy made a decision, or Leicester made a decision about where they wanted him, which we have to accept," he added.

"It's not about individual players, it's about us as a team, how we perform. Then the performance will take care of the result.

"It could be anybody playing, it really doesn't matter because we need to look at ourselves.

"When I look at my team, I'd rather be the coach of them than of Chesterfield because we have really good characters."

Ioan Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County defender Ryan Delaney says his decision to return to the League Two club was a 'no-brainer'.

Delaney made 41 appearances during his first stint at Rodney Parade before a knee injury in February 2024 ended his season.

The Irishman rejoined Christian Fuchs' side on loan from Swindon Town earlier this month as County look to avoid relegation to the fifth tier.

And Delaney admits he has some unfinished business with the Exiles.

"Obviously the injury cut my time short when things were going well for us as a team," he said.

"It was difficult for me with how positive the season had been at that point. I just felt like it was an added incentive to return.

"I think for myself and my family it was a no-brainer really. We all thoroughly enjoyed my time here last time."

Delaney has fond memories at Rodney Parade, including their 4-2 FA Cup defeat at home to Manchester United, but with County currently bottom of the table, Delaney's priority is keeping the Exiles in the Football League, starting with Saturday's visit of Chesterfield (15:00 GMT).

"It's probably one of the greatest days in my football career," Delaney said on playing Manchester United.

"But staying up would mean a hell of a lot for me and the players because of what it means to the club, you have to look at the bigger picture.

"It's a challenging situation for us, but I obviously knew what the task was before coming and I'm relishing the opportunity to be a part of a team that can help this club."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County's trip to Gillingham last weekend saw the Exiles surrender an 85th minute lead before conceding nine minutes into stoppage time to fall to a 3–2 defeat.

Despite the late collapse, manager Christian Fuchs felt his side's overall performance did not merit coming away with nothing.

"We can be happy with what we showed performance-wise. Things are developing in the right way," he said.

"Based on the reaction of the opposition and the fans, it is clear that they had a hard time.

"You can tell the boys are disappointed when they don't win."

Fuchs was encouraged by the control and momentum his team showed for large spells but was equally clear about the areas that continue to hold Newport back.

"At the end of the day, we're standing here again playing well, getting compliments, but not getting the points," he said.

"We need to find more consistency in our game."

The Austrian stressed that Newport's route off the bottom of League Two will depend on doing the "basics of football" well.

"We need to address the dips in performance across the 90 minutes. That's just not good enough," he said.

"You can play well, but you cannot forget the basics: defensive work, reactions when you lose the ball, winning your duels, first balls, second balls. Football is a fighting sport."

Fuchs believes Newport's best moments often come when they play with urgency and edge, something he wants to see from the first whistle.

"If it takes us being desperate, then we probably need to start the game desperate, as if we're one goal down," he said.

"If we do not show the fight, which the opposition did in the last 10 minutes, where there was only one team playing, it could have been easily a point again."

Despite the frustration, Fuchs remains convinced the squad can begin to climb the table

"Looking at the team and being able to work with them, I am convinced we have amazing quality," he said.

"The only thing we can do is to keep pushing forward."

Newport will have a chance to put points on the board as they welcome Chesterfield to Rodney Parade on Saturday 24 January (15:00 GMT)

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Former Newport County player and manager Michael Flynn is to be inducted into the club's Hall of Fame.

The 45-year-old had four spells with the club as a player between 1999 and 2018 - the last of which while also acting as manager.

And it was in charge of the Exiles that Flynn made his most notable impact, guiding the club to League Two safety in 2017, despite being 11 points adrift when appointed as interim manager in March.

Now often referred to as the 'great escape', County maintained their football-league status on the final day of the season with a dramatic 2-1 win over Notts County.

Flynn was appointed as permanent manager of the Exiles on a two-year deal after guiding them to their survival.

During his four years in charge Newport pulled off numerous upsets in cup competitions, beating the likes of Leeds United, Leicester City, Watford and Middlesbrough while also drawing with Tottenham Hotspur.

County also forced penalty shootouts against Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion, but lost on both occasions.

Under Flynn, Newport also reached the League Two play-off final on two occasions - in 2019 and 2021 - but were agonisingly beaten 1-0 in extra time of both games.

Flynn will be inducted during their League Two game against Chesterfield at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 24 January.

He will become the first inductee since 2019, when former County manager Justin Edinburgh was added.

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Despite late heartbreak against Gillingham on Saturday, Newport County supporters were given a glimpse of what their January reinforcements can offer.

Two of the Exiles' newest arrivals, former County defender Ryan Delaney and Shrewsbury loanee Harrison Biggins, were put straight into the starting line-up, and both made strong impressions.

"They bring a lot of experience and a lot of energy," County boss Fuchs said.

"Biggins ran about 12,000 kilometres. He was omnipresent, he was everywhere.

"It's just the personality he has, the presence he has on the field. He was great in both boxes."

Delaney's return also pleased the manager, who felt the centre back slotted back into life at Rodney Parade seamlessly.

"It's good to see how they all blend in right away," Fuchs said.

"Ryan especially, with his past at Newport. It feels like there's unfinished business. They left it all out there."

Cardiff loanee Tanatswa Nyakuhwa and permanent signing James Crole were introduced from the bench.

Nyakuhwa conceded the penalty that gave Gillingham the chance to equalise, but Fuchs believes he will learn from his "mistake" and showed flashes of what County fans can expect with his pace on the wing.

"He knows he should have cleared the ball with his first touch instead of taking another touch," Fuchs said.

Crole, who arrived from Penybont and replaced Opoku in the 89th minute, may need time to adapt to the demands of League Two.

The Cymru Premier's top scorer is searching for his first goal in amber, something County fans hope will come soon with the Exiles having scored the fourth fewest goals in the division this season.

With the arrival of Lewis Jamieson adding further firepower, Fuchs will be hoping to rectify this issue in front of goal.

Jamieson, who was not registered in time for the Gillingham match, will be available when Newport host Chesterfield on Saturday, 24 January (15:00 GMT).

And Fuchs remains optimistic about what his new-look squad can become adding

"I'm looking forward to seeing more of the new signings," added Fuchs.

"It was a good start today with the new boys. But there's really more to come."