2 weeks Ago
NEWPORT County AFC scrapped for a hard-earned point at Notts County in November but normal service was resumed in the return fixture at Rodney Parade. The Magpies continue to be the Exiles’ most impressive League Two opponents after doing the double last year with displays that made a 14th-place finish a mystery. This time they are in the mix for automatic promotion in the run-in, and they showed why with a comfortable 2-0 success in Newport.
Notts’ defence was their downfall in 2024/25 but they targeted that in the transfer market and showed their solid side at Rodney Parade. The Magpies are still the division’s pass masters – and they showed that from the kick-off on Saturday when keeping possession for the first two minutes – but they also have the fourth meanest defence. A fast start meant that they had something to hold onto in Newport courtesy of Charlie Whitaker exploiting a wide-open defence to coolly finish in the sixth minute.
The promising midfielder, who moved from Everton in January, then doubled the lead after 62 minutes with a sublime shot from David McGoldrick’s assist. County struck the bar through Bobby Kamwa but failed to register a shot on target when condemned to a sixth home loss of the league campaign. They weren’t steamrollered by Notts but it was a lop-sided affair in a flat atmosphere, with the Exiles needing to avoid a repeat of last season when Graham Coughlan’s side limped to the line with eight straight defeats.
The above doesn’t refer to the awful defending that allowed Whitaker to put Notts into the lead from Nick Tsaroulla’s through ball but the weak spots in the County squad. Head coach Nelson Jardim continues to cop plenty of flak but his changes were understandable for the Magpies encounter. Right-back Joe Thomas, in his first Football League season after previously being with Cambrian United and Swansea’s academy, has looked leggy in recent weeks after being a constant in the XI in 2025.
His height and energy could well earn a recall for Tuesday’s Bromley test but Shane McLoughlin, the club’s best right-back (and left-back for that matter), was chosen in his favoured position for this game. There were four changes to the XI from Grimsby with starts for Kieron Evans and Cameron Antwi as the deeper midfielders, Josh Martin ahead of them and fit-again winger Bobby Kamwa. Those selections were an attempt to have more control but that certainly didn’t translate to goalscoring chances.
Too often the wrong choice was made or the execution was poor in the final third, wasting opportunities to create something. To my mind, the whole make-up of the side is affected by the glaring problems in four positions: Martin was recalled to the XI to face the side that he left at the start of the year. The 23-year-old didn’t dazzle to prove a point but it was a 6/10 performance with the attacking midfielder providing the Exiles’ biggest goal threat.
He showed fast feet and then drove a shot into the side netting and then dragged another effort wide after somehow managing to make some space in a crowded box. Martin needs to show more than flashes but this was more promising than his past efforts and he must build on that in the run-in. David Ajiboye has struggled in recent weeks and might profit from being unleashed as an impact sub, which could free versatile Martin up for a chance out wide if Jardim sticks with that formation.
He signed on a six-month contract with an option for another year and the jury is still out, even if he clearly is a talented player on the ball. It would be a surprise if it’s the same again from Jardim at 6.45pm on Tuesday when the County side is announced for the Bromley fixture.
Clarke and Thomas are leading contenders for recalls, probably with a return to wing-backs, and could Warner bring some physicality. It might be time to give winger Ajiboye a breather, tasking him with going full throttle for the last half hour instead, while Kamwa needs to respond after being very poor against Notts. There aren’t a wealth of options but it might be interesting, with one eye on next season, to have another look at Keenan Patten.
The midfielder, an unused substitute against Notts, arrived from Barry Town United in January and a knee issue has limited him to three sub outings. Early viewings suggest he is a different character to the rather wild and 100mph Kai Whitmore – who one feels needs a calming Wildig type figure alongside him – and the remaining games could provide valuable experience. For Tuesday, that might have to be off the bench.
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