Newport head coach Nelson Jardim urged his players to “be positive and look forward” after they ended a difficult week with a much-needed 3-0 League Two home win against Harrogate.
Jardim demanded a reaction from his team after their 5-0 capitulation at Accrington in midweek and he got the response he was looking for.
Goals from Cameron Evans, Courtney Baker-Richardson and James Clarke enabled County to cruise to victory and put an end to Harrogate’s recent revival.
“The win means a lot for the club and also a lot for me,” said Jardim. “It was a tough week for everyone and the head coach always feels a stronger pain when the team loses in that way.
“It didn’t surprise me. We know this group of players very well and the reaction that they showed is what we expected.
“Now we can look forward and we have 46 points – 16 clear of relegation – and now we can really say that we are in the comfort zone that we spoke about in the first week of the season.
“We can be positive and look forward, we have nine games to go and lots of points to play for.”
Jardim admitted that his side were not at their best, but he was pleased with the spirit his players showed.
He added: “We still want more but we have that comfort and there are things that we need to improve in terms of our quality.
“It’s League Two. We needed a reaction and that win, while the team also showed we know how to play ugly when we need to.
“We are not happy with everything but I am very, very happy with the effort and the work of the players.”
Harrogate manager Simon Weaver was angered by the fact that all three goals came from corners – the first after just 90 seconds.
“It’s really disappointing,” he said. “We worked on all their routines and went through each individual’s role, but defensively from corners, we didn’t turn up.
“Credit to them; I knew that there’d be a reaction to the other night and a passionate response from Newport.
“They’re similar to us – one of the smaller clubs in this division – and we knew, when their backs were against the wall, they’d come out fighting.
“They got hammered 5-0 and the reaction from their perspective was very good.”
The Sulphurites are 10 points clear of the bottom two in 21st, but Weaver knows they are not safe yet.
“We’ve got to react now and I’d be very surprised if we don’t do that,” he added. “Hopefully the supporters are with us and cheering us on, because we’re in a dogfight.”
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...
Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...
Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...
Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...
Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...
Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...
Alex Cochrane’s superb long-range strike was enough to take League One champions Birmingham over the 100-point mark with a 1-0 win at Stevenage.The game was the perfect example of a clash of styles, Birmingham wanting to play it around, but Stevenage aiming to outwork them.Boro arguably would have been happier with their first-half showing, Jordan Roberts pulling a low shot wide of the targe...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Liverpool join race to sign attacker Jeremy Monga