Newport County

We asked Newport County fans for their views on what the Exiles still need to do before the start of the League Two season and what their expectations are with Hayden Mullins the new manager in the dugout.

Here is what some fans had to say:

Robert: Newport need a miracle.

Ade: We have signed players that no one else wants. Nothing seems organised like last season. I fear for us, I really do. Even our new kit looks poor. Home, away and third. Shambolic across the club.

Benjamin: I'm praying that we will do well because of the new signings. Hopefully we are not battling relegation this time. I don't really know too much about Mullins, but hopefully he does good for this club, because our past managers have not. I am hoping we can finish in mid-table. We possibly need a few more signings, but I think that we've got a solid team now, so I think we'll be fine.

Harvey: We can't instantly have bad views on Hayden Mullins. I think he will do good and I'm excited for the future. I think we've got space for a few more signings. But I think we've been all right so far. Probably a new backup striker would be good because although we have Shaquille Gwengwe and Christian Doidge, I think we do need another one. I'm going for a mid-table finish, like 17th maybe.

Carl: Huw Jenkins needs to step forward and tell us, the fans, what his intentions are for the upcoming season and stop treating us as fools. We know the club, we understand things are tight but give us some vision so we can move forward. And I have said previously you need experience in this league, a tested goal scorer and defenders otherwise it's going to be one long season and us paying fans don't deserve that.

Mark: I think Mullins is a decent appointment. Let's hope he stays here longer than Fuchs did. And hopefully we can go onwards and upwards up that table. I think we can push for mid-table, but I'd like the play-offs.

Richard: Hopefully we can have a better season than last year and let's hope the new signings can hit the ground running and we can get a few wins in the first month of the season. We could always do with a few signings, but it's whether they're prepared to get the cheque book out. I'd be happy with mid-table after last season. If we're mid-table safety, that'll do us. Results will speak for themselves at the end of the day for Mullins. He needs to get the fans on board in the first half a dozen games with some positive results.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Despite taking encouragement from Newport County's performance against Roma, head coach Hayden Mullins admits the Exiles are still short of where they need to be.

Mullins told BBC Sport Wales after his appointment that Newport needed reinforcements, and he reiterated that several signings were needed following the 4-1 defeat to the Italian giants at Rodney Parade.

"I still feel like we're three or four players away from where we need to be, in squad depth and what we're going to need throughout the season," said Mullins.

"It's a long, hard season, 46 games. We know that. It's a tough division.

"We are definitely in the process of getting that together. We know where we want to strengthen, so hopefully in the next week or so we should see a few more bodies coming in."

One area where the 47-year-old would like to add is at left-back. On Tuesday evening, an unnamed triallist was tasked with keeping the likes of Paulo Dybala and Santiago Castro quiet.

And after the game, Mullins confirmed that the club were weighing up a possible loan.

"That's Alfie from Bournemouth," he said.

"He's been with the club now for a couple of weeks. We're just having a look at whether to take him on loan or not.

"I think that's one position where we need cover, or we need someone to push Tom (Davies). Alfie is one we've been looking at."

County have already lost several important players this summer, including captain Matt Baker and wide men Bobby Kamwa and Michael Spellman.

While they have added already in wide areas through Shaquille Gwengwe and Yahya Bamba, Mullins believes that remains an area of improvement alongside "another couple of areas too."

Mullins also revealed he has not added to his backroom staff, with his focus since arriving at Rodney Parade firmly on recruitment and preparing the squad for the new League Two campaign just over a week away.

Image source, Rex Features

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins has urged his players to concentrate on themselves when they complete preparations for the new season against Roma.

The Exiles host the Italian giants, who lost 4-1 to Cardiff on Saturday, tonight (19:00 BST) in Mullins' first game in the dugout at Rodney Parade.

County beat National League side Yeovil in the former Fulham under-21 boss' first friendly in the hot seat, but they face a different test this evening.

"We've got to concentrate on what we want to do, how we set up. They are a very good team," said Mullins.

"We could draw a Premier League team in the cup, for example, and it could be a similar set-up.

"We will try to get some bits into the boys about how we want to go about our game, work out of possession and how to potentially hurt them.

"It's a fantastic game for the fans, and for everyone. We are looking forward to it."

Newport will begin the 2026-27 season with a Carabao Cup tie against League One side AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, 8 August (15:00 BST).

Mullins' first League Two fixture as Exiles manager is against Rochdale on Saturday, 15 August (12:30 BST).

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

New manager Hayden Mullins admits Newport County are "three or four" players short with just a week to the start of the season.

The Exiles have appointed the former Crystal Palace, West Ham and Portsmouth midfielder as their new boss after the shock departure of Christian Fuchs at the end of June.

The Austrian left after County had signed six players - Harrison Biggins, Christian Doidge, Cameron Norman, Dan Sassi, Shaquille Gwengwe and Yahya Bamba - and they added Kyle Cameron and Kieron Evans while owner Huw Jenkins picked his next manager.

"We are definitely three or four players short of where we need to be. The fans will see some movement and we will be working hard to get targets," said Mullins on Radio Wales Drive.

"With me coming from Fulham, I am clued up in terms of the loan market and category one [academy] players."

Former Swansea chairman Jenkins has taken the lead in recruitment since his takeover was completed in January 2024.

He has shaped the squads that Nelson Jardim, David Hughes, Fuchs and now Mullins have worked with.

"I will have a say in who comes in, definitely. We had a chat a couple of hours ago about players and targets, and there is a video that has been sent over for me to have a look at," said Mullins on Friday.

"With Huw, he is a really experienced man and you have got to trust his view and eye as well. It's a collaboration.

"We will sit down and talk about targets. I am a head coach – I can coach, develop and work with a group – and I will have a say in transfers and who comes in."

County play their first competitive game at AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Saturday, 8 August and kick off their League Two campaign at home to Rochdale seven days later.

Image source, Shutterstock

Tranmere have signed striker Courtney Baker-Richardson on a one-year deal.

The 30-year-old was a free agent after leaving Newport County at the end of last season.

He could make his debut for the League Two side in Saturday's Carabao Cup preliminary-round tie at Rochdale.

"He works hard for the team, competes well and will give us another good option in the forward areas," boss Darrell Clarke told the club website., external

Image source, BBC Sport

Newport County are still on the hunt for a new permanent manager following the departure of Christian Fuchs in late June.

Interim boss Chris Todd has said he would "love" the chance to become the permanent manager, but who do you think should take over?

And though there have been several new signings, Todd feels Newport still "need more" before the window closes in September.

Newport face AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, 8 August in the EFL Cup, just over two weeks away.

So what needs to happen at Rodney Parade between now and then?

Is the managerial situation more important than the signings?

What positions should the Exiles be prioritising? Who has to step up?

You have heard our thoughts; now it is time for you to have your say.

Send us your views here.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

While Newport County may still need reinforcements on the pitch, uncertainty remains over who will lead the team into the new season as their search for a permanent manager continues.

Following Christian Fuchs' departure, Chris Todd was placed in temporary charge and has overseen the Exiles' pre-season preparations.

Whether he remains at the helm or returns to a coaching role, Todd says his focus is solely on helping County move forward.

"It's been enjoyable," said Todd.

"It's been hard work. I joined the club last season, so whether the chairman wants to make me the manager, that will be in conversations that we have.

"If not, I will stay at the football club and do everything I can to help everybody in the squad be ready for that first game."

Todd returned to Rodney Parade in March as assistant first-team coach to Fuchs, having previously represented the club as a player.

The 44-year-old has not hidden his desire to take on the manager role permanently.

"I would love to, obviously, but it's got to be right," he added.

"I think I'm ready to do that. Of course I'm going to back myself on that.

"But if the chairman decides otherwise and the time is not right, then I will support whoever comes in.

"Whether that is as a coach or whatever it may be, it doesn't really matter to me. I'll be ready."

Regardless of the decision, Todd insists his priority is to "help the club strive forward" in the hope that they can find life in League Two a little easier after several years plagued by relegation concerns.

Newport visit Yeovil Town on Saturday before concluding pre-season against Italian giants AS Roma at Rodney Parade, with Todd quipping that he hopes his side are not given too much of a run-around by the Champions League outfit.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County interim manager Chris Todd urged his players to cut out the costly mistakes that gifted Reading a 4-0 victory in their first pre-season outing at Rodney Parade.

Although Todd felt Jacob Brown's early opener was a quality finish, he was left frustrated by the manner in which the three goals that followed were conceded.

Reading's second came after new signing Yahya Bamba surrendered possession near the halfway line - with Josh Stokes finishing the move three passes later - before Jerae Jones struck twice late on as County failed to clear their lines.

"We were good in spells, but [they were] terrible goals to concede. All four of them really are mistakes," said Todd.

"If you're going to concede and you're going to lose games, you have to lose by them cutting you open, but we kind of gifted them goals, which is disappointing.

"They know that that's not good enough and that's the facts, and I've told them that."

Having conceded 77 goals in League Two last season, many from their own errors, Todd is clear that a similar trend cannot "creep in" to the Exiles' games this term.

Despite the scoreline, the interim boss was encouraged by periods of Newport's performance, though there was little forthcoming in the way of chance creation for County.

"We held our own, first half especially," he added.

"It was very clear to see that we had good opportunities. We should be scoring at least one of those opportunities that we had."

Todd points to Harrison Biggins' teasing cross in the first half as a key moment that just needed that finishing touch from someone in amber.

"We worked on that yesterday, so it's little details that they've got to get right to get a better outcome," he said.

With an EFL Cup match at AFC Wimbledon to come on Saturday, 8 August (15:00 BST), Todd believes there were enough positives to build on as Newport seek to avoid another relegation battle.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County suffered a 4-0 pre-season defeat by League One Reading at Rodney Parade.

Interim Exiles boss Chris Todd gave starts to five summer signings and teenager Harri Pugh on the right wing but it was one of the Royals' new recruits that opened the scoring.

Former Portsmouth forward Jacob Brown slotted home calmly from the edge of the area after 10 minutes and Reading had further chances to extend the lead before the break.

They doubled their advantage early in the second half when Josh Stokes finished a neat move after the visitors capitalised on Yahya Bamba's misplaced pass.

Jerae Jones added two more goals in a dominant performance by the Royals, who finish their pre-season against Crawley and Charlton.

Rodney Parade was sparsely populated for the visit of Reading but should be packed to the rafters on Tuesday, 4 August as Newport host Italian giants Roma.

The Exiles play their first competitive game at AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Saturday, 8 August (15:00 BST) and then host Rochdale on Saturday, 15 August (12:30 BST) in their League Two opener.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at Bath City after a late leveller by former Exiles striker Alex Fisher.

County led 1-0 at the break thanks to forward Ged Garner, who was put on the transfer list in May, scoring with the help of a deflection off former Exiles defender Kieran Parselle.

Bath equalised three minutes after the restart when Danny Greenslade's set-piece went in but the visitors responded quickly to restore their lead with a near-post header by teenage defender Harrison Halpin.

Fisher, who scored two goals as hard-working targetman for County in 2021-22, levelled against the run of play from close range in the 79th minute to earn a draw for the hosts from the Southern Football League Premier Division Central.

Interim Newport manager Chris Todd will be in charge for a first Rodney Parade fixture when the Exiles face League One Reading in a friendly on Tuesday, 28 July (19:30 BST).

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County forward Lewis Jamieson has joined Scottish League One side Ross County for an undisclosed fee

Jamieson, signed for The Exiles from United Soccer League Championship club Sacramento Republic in January.

The 24-year-old made three appearances for County but failed to score during his time at Rodney Parade.

Glasgow-born Jamieson came through the ranks at St Mirren and spent loan spells at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Airdrie, Raith Rovers and two stints with Clyde.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County held Bristol City to a goalless draw in their latest pre-season encounter.

The friendly was played behind closed doors at the Robins' High Performance Centre on Tuesday, with Exiles defender Cameron Evans making his first appearance of the build-up to 2026-27.

Interim manager Chris Todd will next take his League Two players to Southern Football League Premier side Bath City on Saturday, 25 July (15:00 BST).

Todd is still in charge of the Exiles after the shock departure of Christian Fuchs and oversaw wins at Bristol Manor Farm and Newport City, plus a defeat by Gloucester City before returning to the West Country.

County also have friendlies lined up against Reading, Yeovil Town and Italian giants Roma in the build-up to competitive action.

The Exiles get under way at AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Saturday, 8 August (15:00 BST) and then host Rochdale on Saturday, 15 August (12:30 BST) in their League Two opener.

Image source, Getty Images

Central defender Matt Baker has joined Notts County on a two-year contract with the option of another year in the club's favour.

The 23-year-old, who came through the Stoke City academy, spent three and a half years with Newport County before leaving as a free agent this summer.

"I think here is the perfect place for me," Baker said. "We can get a lot of success going forward in the future and I'm hoping to help towards that."

The Welshman turned down a new contract with Newport, where he was club captain, and the Magpies - newly-promoted to League One - have agreed an undisclosed compensation package with the Exiles due to his age.

When a player under the age of 24 rejects a new contract to move elsewhere, the two clubs must agree a compensation fee.