Newport boss David Hughes left angry after 8 defeats in 9 matches across all competitions

Newport County boss David Hughes has been left angry and disappointed after 8 defeats in 9 matches across all competitions.

The Exiles played out a 2-1 loss to Arsenal U21s in the EFL Trophy in midweek, pressure mounts on the new boss, who has only been in charge since the 23rd on May.

But they find themselves sitting 22nd in the League Two standings with 5 points from 9 games played.

Andrew Penman of South Wales Argus claims David Hughes doesn’t have tools to succeed at Newport County, while club chairman Huw Jenkins says the squad is stronger than it was when he took over almost two years ago, supporters meanwhile called for Newport to bring back Michael Flynn, and others say they’re doing the best they can within budget.

Hughes said after defeat to Arsenal U21, per South Wales Argus: “I’m not going to express how I’m feeling honestly…so I guess that tells a story. Disappointed would be an understatement. It’s fair to say I’m angry and disappointed.

“It’s the story of the season; individual mistakes, errors, [poor] decision-making, over-committing in key moments.

“Jordan’s done great to save the first penalty, it’s a massive ask to do the same again two minutes later. Then, look at the set-play, again, [for the winner] and where it stems from – we’re on the attack and then five seconds later we’re conceding a corner.

“We made changes, clearly, making sure people were fresh for the weekend, as well as wanting to be successful this evening. But we’ve had a runaround, and we’ve not been effective in the areas you would expect us to be effective at.

“Players have had an opportunity, which is right. We’ve got a small squad and we want everyone to be fit and available. But I was disappointed with a number of performances.

“The record is what it is. We all know what the record is and it’s not good enough.

“We haven’t been able to hang on to a lead, we haven’t been able to see out a game. They’re the facts laid bare in front of us.

“We need a win,. We can’t keep losing games. The supporters will be as frustrated as we are, as the players are.

“I spoke to the chairman on Sunday and, as far as I’m concerned, I’ve got the backing. We’re working with the players to try to achieve results and that’s where we’re at.

“The chairman has tried to support us and I think the level of performance on Saturday [against Gillingham] gives everyone belief, and then we turn up this evening and kind of take that belief away a little bit with a level of performance that was below the standard expected.”

He said after the 3-1 defeat to Gillingham at the weekend, per South Wales Argus: “What we have to do is lift the boys’ spirits. We need a win, the supporters need a win. We all turn up with a real desire to watch our team win.

“There’s no doubt that we are representing the city with everything that the football club is epitomising. What we’re not doing is winning the games. And, ultimately, that’s what we’ll all be judged on – myself, my staff and the players. I pick the team, I set the game-plan and the buck stops with me.

“I’ve got to thank the supporters because they stuck with the team and when you’ve got young players that’s really important.

“There’s no lack of willingness and intent to play but if you’ve got 15 shots, a return of one goal is not at the level that we would anticipate. We just lacked a bit of composure in those key moments.

“It’s not about luck; it’s about those opportunities and capitalising at key moments in the game. Is that psychological? Is that technical? That’s for us to look at and continue to work with the players.

“Kai Whitmore got kicked on his calf in the first half and that’s the reason we brought him off [on Saturday]. We had to try to ensure we didn’t have a recurrence of an injury.

“We’ve got players who need to play, and we need to look after one or two. I think we’ve got 19 fit professionals at the minute. So making sure that we’ve got a team to win on Tuesday and a team to win on Saturday is absolutely essential. They’re both important games.

“You look at our high performers, those that really stood out, it’s essential that we keep those fit. But we’ll prepare to win.”

Huw Jenkins said in a club update last week: “The summer changes have allowed our club to reset and move forward with renewed optimism for the long season ahead.

“In my opinion, the squad of players we now have is collectively much stronger and an extremely talented group compared to when I joined the club in 2023.

“Dave Hughes, Wayne Hatswell and Lee Kendall are experienced football people who are big assets to our club.

“The season started well with a great result away to Barnet in the EFL Cup, followed up with a credible home draw against Notts County and our first away win at Crawley. Results since then could have gone either way in most games, particularly the home fixtures against Salford and MK Dons.

“Belief in what we are doing must be non-negotiable if we are to achieve success. Whilst we can respect our opponents, we need to fear no one as we move forward.

“Football has grown and changed in recent years, and without doubt the standard of teams in League Two is now much higher. However, the principles for clubs like ours to compete and succeed remain the same: a fearless approach, solid belief, and confidence in everything we do is the only way to achieve our targets in the months ahead.

“Off the field, there have also been significant developments. These include our new training base at USW, improvements to our Academy administration, six youth players gaining valuable experience on loan at Cymru Premier clubs, and a healthy working partnership with the Dragons which is progressing positively on all fronts.

“Finally, I understand some frustrations are aired when results don’t go our way. But I can assure all supporters of Newport County that the management and players are working tirelessly to get our season moving forward in a positive direction. With a consistent level of performance, I am confident the results will follow.

“Thank you for all your continued support.”

Here’s how fans reacted with Newport boss David Hughes left angry after 8 defeats in 9 matches across all competitions…

@jackabouting: Utter drivel. Should be ashamed. All other U21 teams got hammered tonight.

@JackPennellsUTC: 1 shot on target is criminal, did anyone let them know they weren’t Arsenals first team? #getouthuwjenkins #jenkinsout

@ethan_jn____: 9 of the players were u19, dont even bother defending this lot anymore as they embarrassing themselves, the club and the city and id be fully content with relegation at this point, gearing up for aldershot away

@shaneprice_87: the whole board need to sit down and come up with a massive plan in the next few weeks this isn’t working. Jenkins you can’t be this stubborn anymore you’re crucifying us

@HBaladabadi: Supporting HJ’s Newport County is fucking torture!

@StelucBrooks: Absolutely predictable. Something has to change right away. We cannot hang on to a lead. There is no leadership. We are rudderless. At what stage will the fans start voting with their feet. This is no better than last season. An utterly dismal showing.

@Samtgc91: We are shit – even a shitty pointless cup against kids can’t give us confidence. No idea what or where we go next – football should bring you joy this depresses me more and more. And it seems no one who can make a difference gives a shit.

@Chris13828347: Get Hughes out asap. He’s clueless as is HJ. Embarrassment on and off the field.

@CashmereKnits: Honestly we deserve so much better than this shit. Hughes out, Jenkins out. Viva la revolucion

@PoZu72: We’re fucked. That was a strong team too

@rocjam93: Get to fuck Jenkins! Hughes, clearly ain’t up to the task either. We’re an utter farce!

@Ryan_Russell__: Sort it out, we aren’t good enough to beat a bunch of teenagers!!!!! Either invest in decent free agents or fuck off Jenkins

@diesel_y2j: Huw Jenkins is killing our club. #JenkinsOut

@William_Downs_: Body language on bench was awful absolutely no leaders there at all. Usual shit performance again, dreadful marking from corner dumb fouls for penalty, can’t believe so many of these players were given two year deals we look like a sinking ship and sinking fast

@LloydJohnMoore1: We’re so shit it’s actually hilarious, Hughes out

@ExiledBen: We can’t even beat a bunch of kids. Apparently our squad is better though, eh Huw?

@Chris13828347: Thought Hatswell was brought in due to his experience!! Expertise at set pieces!! Lost count of amount of goals we’ve conceded from corners plus the amount of penalties we’ve conceded. Absolute joke

@Chrisherbert196: Hes disappointed I’m fecking fuming Jenkins has alot to answer for

@thomasncfc18: Feel for this manager players not good enough kamwa, Baker Richards, reindorf, brennan and a few more. Huw needs to act and put money in or put us up for sale his experiment of how far we can go on a shoe sting budget is failing for the 2nd season in a row and we will go.dowm