Newport County boss delighted to keep League Two status

South Wales Argus

23-04-2025

County are now safe from relegation after the Easter Monday games. Jardim's men battled to a 0-0 draw with automatic promotion hopefuls Walsall, despite ending the game with 10 men, while Carlisle United's draw at Accrington Stanley means they can no longer catch the Exiles.
County can now look forward to a trip to Fleetwood Town on Saturday and a home finale against Tranmere Rovers before the summer break, knowing the job is done.
And Jardim believes his players deserve huge credit for two hard-earned points over the Easter weekend, after they also claimed a 0-0 draw at MK Dons on Good Friday.
"It is very positive, especially against the opposition we have played," said the Portuguese. "Two valuable points have helped us get over the line and get to a mathematically safe situation.
"We don't hide the fact that we have conceded a lot of goals, down to some lack of experience.
"But we all knew that it was going to be tough. I knew I had to be a very positive coach and have a growth mindset with the players, because I had to give 12 EFL debuts and play players with limited minutes."
Jardim's first campaign in charge has had many ups and downs, but he is confident that the young squad will benefit from the experience as they aim higher next season.
"We knew those [difficult] moments would come, but hopefully the team is settling down now," he said. "This is a transitional period, which we knew was going to be tough, but playing against a promotion-chasing team I couldn't ask for more from my team.
"I'm proud of what we have been doing this season," he continued.
"Sometimes things don't go our way. Set plays have let us down in a lot of games, but I think this league, it's tough in every game. You can't say you're going to win or lose any game. It's about what you're able to deliver on the day.
"It's about being consistent. Sometimes teams are not able to do that and we went through those spells. We were expecting to have that this season.
"Hopefully next season the club will be much better. Hopefully that stability that the club needs, having been through this experience will help the club."
Having finished last season in 18th place with 55 points, County can still match that total with two more victories.
They are currently 20th on 49 points having not won in seven games. Fleetwood are 15th after losing three of their last four.