Newport County

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Christian Fuchs insists Newport County can compete with Bromley when they travel to face the League Two leaders on New Year's Day (15:00 GMT).

Bromley have stormed to the top of the table on the back of nine wins in their past 10 league games, while Andy Woodman's team have not lost a fourth-tier fixture at Hayes Lane this season.

But Newport lifted spirits as the climbed off the bottom of League Two thanks to Monday's 2-0 win over Crewe Alexandra.

The victory was the first under Fuchs in his eighth game in charge, and the Exiles' first in the league at Rodney Parade since March.

Fuchs says "everything is possible" for Newport as they to try to build on the Crewe triumph at Bromley.

"It's going to be a big challenge for us definitely – [it is] away as well, which doesn't make it easier," the former Leicester defender said.

"Our mentality is we go into a game to win the game. If at the end we have the three points, great. But at least we want to give everybody a fight."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United are cutting short two of their young players' loan stints and are ruminating over a third.

Defender Sonny Aljofree has already come back from League Two Notts County, while England youth goalkeeper Elyh Harrison will also leave Shrewsbury.

Aljofree made 11 appearances, including 10 starts for Notts County at the start of the season but the 21-year-old has not featured since the end of September.

Harrison started the campaign as first choice at Shrewsbury, making seven appearances, but also lost his place in September.

The 19-year-old was on the bench for Monday's defeat at Grimsby and United's intention is to bring him back to the club.

Discussions are continuing over the short-term plan for 20-year-old defender Habeeb Ogunneye, who has made 21 appearances in all competitions for League Two strugglers Newport but has not featured since the FA Cup defeat at non-league Boreham Wood on 7 December.

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Newport County manager Christian Fuchs says it is "time to build the momentum" after his first win in charge of the League Two club.

The Exiles had lost four and drawn three all-competition games under the Austrian before Tuesday's 2-0 home victory against Crewe Alexandra.

Newport's fourth league victory of the campaign saw them move off the bottom of the table and just one point away from rising out of the relegation zone.

"When you look at the last six games that we played, we had two losses but we also had three draws and six points overall, so there's a lot of good things happening here," said Fuchs, declaring himself proud of his side's performance.

"They stuck together, they stayed patient off the ball, they did their job really well and then were always waiting to break them."

The 39-year-old former Leicester City defender was particularly pleased with back-to-back clean sheets in the league for the first time this season, having also played out a goalless draw with Barnet at Rodney Parade on 26 December.

"Everybody was like, OK, against Barnet, a clean sheet - top, right? And today, you felt it coming somehow and you should not forget we have two clean sheets against teams that are way higher up the table than we are, and we just played really well," added Fuchs.

"The boys believe in themselves. I think now we've built the confidence, and it's time also now to build the momentum."

County face an even bigger challenge next with a New Year's Day fixture away at second placed Bromley.

However, it remains unclear whether he will be able to call on the services of Sammy Braybrooke and Nathan Opoku for the trip to south east London.

Initial loan deals for the two Leicester City players expire on 31 December but Fuchs is hoping they can be extended.

"We'll find out very soon," he said.

"A player like Sammy Braybrooke obviously is a top player for us and an ambitious player as well. So we'll see what's going to happen. We definitely want him here."

The 21-year-old former England age-grade international, who scored his second goal in three games in the victory over Crewe, has said he is keen to stay at Newport into 2026 to help in the fight against League Two relegation.

Opuku, who was a late substitute in Tuesday night's victory, is also keen to stay according to the County boss.

"Nathan wants to be here definitely. I think today he's shown again he comes on and he's right away a threat for the opposition," said Fuchs.

"He's just stirring it up and has very good movement off the ball. He's very creative, he's just a threat in behind as well.

"So Nathan, I hope we will see him here again in 2026, a similar situation, it's going to be resolved over the next two days."

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Newport boss Christian Fuchs is confident that he can "turn the season around" despite still searching for his first win as manager.

The Exiles come into a busy festive period having only picked up two points in Fuchs' first five games in charge, with County still firmly rooted to the bottom of League Two.

"It's been a little bit of a rollercoaster, to be honest. A rollercoaster of emotions", said the Austrian, reflecting on his first month in charge.

"We've had some really good performances where I definitely think we could've walked away with more points overall and then there were some moments that were not good at all."

Newport are still looking for their first home win since their 3-0 victory against Harrogate in March, a run that will reach 286 days if they fail to win against Barnet on 26 December.

"Since I came in what we've worked on most of the time is building confidence" said Fuchs after being asked about Newport's home form.

"The boys have low confidence, maybe things don't go so well or don't come off so well the way they would when they're full of confidence."

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Newport County's League Two game at Swindon Town is to be played on Wednesday, 11 February (20:00 GMT) after the original fixture was postponed because of the Robins' progress in the FA Cup.

The Exiles had been due to go to the County Ground on Friday, 9 January, but Swindon will be in cup action at Salford that weekend.

Despite the new date, Newport's trip to Swindon will be shown live on Sky Sports as planned.

Swindon have had an impressive season so far, they are currently 2nd in League Two and through to the third round of the FA Cup after beating League One side Bolton Wanderers 4-0 on 6 December.

Newport have not enjoyed the same kind of success, they are bottom of League Two and were knocked out of the FA Cup after losing 3-0 to Boreham Wood two weeks ago.

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BBC Sport asked Newport County fans their festive wishes this Christmas for the struggling League Two side.

Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Colchester United means Christian Fuchs' side are still bottom of League Two - five points from safety.

Here's what County fans are asking for this Christmas:

Rob: Points.

Mark: I'm so frustrated. It's so obvious what needs to be done but [Chairman] Huw Jenkins is like a ball and chain dragging us down. He is the worst chairman County have had. Self inflicted wounds. Incredible.

Carl: We are where we have no money. Let's give the younger element a go, they can't be any worse than what we have at the moment. Let's hope the new year fairy gives a couple of players, it's hard to keep your spirits up with the trap door ever creaking and open ajar but we have made the great escape before - albeit not as good as the movie - fingers crossed and praying.

Joe: We replaced an inexperienced manager with an equally inexperienced manager and got the same result. We needed someone to create a siege mentality at the club and get the team to dig in. I fear the worst.

Kevin: All I want for Christmas is a new owner.

Jim: We are desperate now Jenkins has to gamble in January.

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Newport County's new boss Christian Fuchs is still waiting for his first win in charge after they were outclassed by Colchester United.

Saturday's 4-1 defeat at the JobServe Community Stadium means the Exiles have picked up just two points from his first five league games in charge and remain anchored firmly at the foot of League Two.

The former Austria and Leicester City defender also oversaw a 3-0 FA Cup second round loss away to non-league Boreham Wood.

An established wisdom in football is that the appointment of a new manager usually creates a temporary 'bounce' in performances and results - have Newport fans been able to see any indications of recovery so far?

A criticism levelled at former boss David Hughes was that he lacked experience as a first-team manager, but is the appointment of Fuchs a departure from that?

Should there be more patience as Fuchs tries to turn things around, or has the club ownership merely replaced like for like and must now look in another direction?

Is the fault instead with the current playing squad and is an emergency overhaul needed when the January transfer window opens?

With a busy festive period abut to kick in, Newport host mid-table Barnet on 26 December (15:00 GMT) before another home game against promotion-chasing Crewe Alexandra the following Monday (19:30 GMT).

Have your say here

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

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Since Christian Fuchs' arrival at Newport County, a depleted Exiles side have been on a five-game winless run in all competitions, leaving them four points adrift at the bottom of League Two and still searching for a first home league victory of the season.

In recent weeks, however, County have been bolstered by the returns to fitness of Matt Smith, Matt Baker and Liam Shepherd, while Nathaniel Opoku has also resumed training this week.

As a result, Fuchs says he has a "completely different squad available" as Newport prepare for a trip to Colchester on Saturday.

"Now we're almost full [as a squad]. This gives me a lot of opportunities, flexibility maybe to try a couple of things," Fuchs added.

"Everybody is on board, everybody wants to push forward to get us in a better place."

"The boys are doing pretty well, showing a lot of enthusiasm and that's what you want as a coach."

Talks continue with Leicester about extending the loans of Opoku and Sammy Braybrooke, with Fuchs keen to keep them for the remainder of the season.

The only player expected to miss the Colchester trip is Gerard Garner, who is set to be sidelined for a couple of weeks with the muscle injury he sustained against Fleetwood.

Despite being winless since taking charge, Fuchs remains confident his side can turn their season around.

"The next game for us is always the most important one," he added.

"Honestly, I know what's at stake, but I think the team has more than enough potential to turn everything around."

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Manager Christian Fuchs is to hold additional transfer talks with Newport County chairman Huw Jenkins this week after stating his side "need some support".

The Exiles are determined to bolster their ranks in January, with experience among the key traits they are searching for as they look to climb off the bottom of League Two.

And Fuchs says injuries to Gerard Garner and Nathan Opoku could alter the club's plans for the upcoming window.

"The talks are starting. We need to look at how Ged and Nathan are doing," Fuchs said in the wake of his side's 2-0 loss to Fleetwood Town.

"Going forwards, the games still come thick and fast and we need to make sure that we are covered in every position.

"We have Sheps (Liam Shephard) coming back soon, he is back in training.

"It was good to see Matt Smith out there [against Fleetwood], which helps us definitely."

Fuchs has been in regular contact with Jenkins since being named as Dave Hughes' successor at Rodney Parade in November.

And the Austrian says Newport have already identified where they need to strengthen.

"We need some support. We've identified that already, but again, it's still early," he added.

"More conversations will happen this week."

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Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts believes Newport County must drastically transform their home form if they are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation from League Two this season.

The Exiles are winless in their 10 league matches at Rodney Parade so far in 2025-26, claiming just two points from the 30 on offer in those home fixtures.

Newport's latest home reverse came as they were beaten 2-0 by Fleetwood last weekend, which left them four points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.

"This home run is a real worry. They haven't won at Rodney Parade [in the league] since March when they beat Harrogate," he told BBC Radio Cymru.

"They haven't won in their last 13 and they're four points behind Harrogate, who are third from bottom in League Two.

"I watched them [in the FA Cup earlier this month] at Boreham Wood. They were poor. To think Boreham Wood are in the National League, Boreham Wood were much the better side.

"They had a good point at Crewe, a 2-2 draw away from home.

"But this home record is a worry for Newport. If they're going to stay up, they have to sort that problem in the second half of the season."

Christian Fuchs' side return to action at mid-table Colchester United on Saturday (15:00 GMT) before hosting Barnet and Crewe Alexandra in their final two matches of 2025.