Newport County

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Christian Fuchs believes Newport County's mid-season transfer business means has boosted their bid to avoid relegation from League Two.

The Exiles sit 23rd in the table as they prepare to welcome Grimsby to Rodney Parade on Saturday (15:01 GMT).

Fuchs feels Newport's squad now has the quality and depth it lacked when he was appointed in November.

"When I first came in, there was no balance in the team," the County boss said.

"When you look at the team now, we have a lot of depth. That gives us the opportunity, with the tight schedule coming up, to have rotations there without dropping on energy level, without dropping quality.

"So where we are right now with the team, it looks really good, very balanced."

Grimsby are ninth in League Two and are unbeaten in seven league games.

But Fuchs' side have won two of their past three at home, and will be looking to bounce back from their 3-0 derby defeat at Bristol Rovers last week.

"The fans can expect the boys to go out there and fight," Fuchs said.

"They will do the same things that we did in the previous home games.

"We want to get on the front foot and not hide. Our best games are when we played on the front foot and that's what we're looking to do on Saturday."

Sven Spangler could make his Newport debut this weekend having joined on loan from St Johnstone on transfer deadline day, with Fuchs impressed by his fellow Austrian's credentials.

"My hopes are high. He's the former captain of St Johnstone so I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the table," Fuchs said.

"I was very impressed with him with what I saw in training."

County could also give a debut to fellow new recruit Cole Jarvis, the versatile midfielder who has joined from Merthyr.

"I like that Cole's very physical, he's not intimidated at all. So far he has really impressed me with his composure as well," Fuchs added.

"I think with everyone we have brought in and the quality they have, that really gives us another edge."

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Sven Sprangler says signing for Newport County was a "no brainer" and he is confident he can help the Exiles avoid relegation from League Two.

The midfielder joined on loan from St Johnstone until the end of the season and links up with his fellow Austrian, manager Christian Fuchs.

"When I had the opportunity to come over it was a no brainer. It's incredible to be here," Sprangler said.

The 30-year-old has spent most of his career playing in the Austrian Bundesliga with Mattersburg and Wolfsberger AC, before a move to Scotland in 2023.

"It was always my dream to play in the UK. Here it's more physical, higher tempo, and I think that suits my playing style a little bit better," he said.

"I feel very welcome here, I know Matt Smith from when we played together at St Johnstone, and he's helped me a lot as well."

County sit 23rd in the table with a threat of relegation looming, but Sprangler is confident the team has enough quality to maintain their EFL status.

"I'm a fighter. I'm a team player and it was always my style to play for the team and give everything for the club and for the badge," he said.

"When I saw the quality of the group, there is a no doubt that we can stay up.

"It's a challenge I know, everyone in the team knows that and every game matters now. We have to give everything on every game."

Image source, Newport County

Newport County have announced the signing of Merthyr Town forward Cole Jarvis.

The 24-year-old Merthyr Town academy product spent five years playing across the Welsh league system, progressing to Cymru South side Newport City in 2023.

Jarvis returned to The Martyrs 12 months later, signing a two-year contract and has impressed this season with seven goals and five assists in 29 appearances.

"Equally comfortable operating in midfield or attack, Cole's versatility and dynamism make him a valuable addition to the Newport County squad as Christian Fuchs looks to strengthen his options," the club said in a statement.

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Ioan Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales

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Former Newport County defender Jason Perry has criticized manager Christian Fuchs' tactics in Saturday's 3-0 loss at Bristol Rovers.

The Exiles are second bottom in League Two, three points from safety, and with a difficult run of February fixtures to follow supporters might be fearing the worst.

Perry thinks both Fuchs and the players need to take responsibility.

"I know it's a change of manager but we're 18 games in and saying the same things," said Perry after the damaging loss at relegation rivals Rovers.

"Tactically, I think they were naive today.

"You need to start holding strong characters to account. You can't hide. This is a relegation fight. So if your manager is hiding from it, that worries me.

"These players need to play a form of football they've all agreed with and if the other 10 aren't you need to point a finger at them."

Fuchs, who took over the reins at Rodney Parade in November, raised eye brows last month when he dismissed suggestions his side are in a relegation battle. The former Austrian international, however, was left frustrated after his side's dismal display at the Memorial Stadium.

He has been given extra resources with six new recruits during the January transfer window, including the deadline-day signing of midfielder Sven Sprangler on loan from St Johnstone.

Despite this, Perry believes chairman Huw Jenkins shares some of the responsibility for County's precarious position.

"You've got to play to your budget. I think Huw's ego is bigger than his budget. They're trying to play a way they can't afford," added Perry.

"You can't compete with the other budgets in this league. Find a different way to win football games, you've got to build a platform based around winning games.

"Where Newport County stand now, they can't afford to go out of this league."

Ioan Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales

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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).

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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

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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

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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

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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."

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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.