Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim has remained steadfast in his belief that his side was never in danger of relegation, despite a challenging spell earlier in the season.
The Exiles have now secured four consecutive League Two victories, including a crucial 1-0 win over Carlisle United on Tuesday night, which has propelled them 16 points clear of the relegation zone.
Jardim’s Confidence Never Wavered
At one stage, Newport found themselves hovering precariously close to the bottom two, with just one win in three months leaving them six points above the drop zone. However, Jardim has always maintained faith in his squad, even as criticism mounted.
“I never had any relegation fears. I was accused of being deluded,” Jardim told BBC Radio Wales Sport. “I believe in my work and I believe in the people I work with every day – the staff and the players.”
His belief has been rewarded in recent weeks, with Newport’s upturn in form coming at the perfect time. The club’s resurgence has seen them climb away from danger and given them fresh hope for a strong finish to the campaign.
Building on Momentum
Jardim has credited his side’s recent success to the natural momentum that football can bring when things start to click.
“Football is about momentum, and when things come together you win games,” he said. “The biggest challenge now is making sure we carry on doing this. We need to carry on working and improving.”
Newport’s recent run has not only provided relief but also silenced some of the criticism that had been directed at the Portuguese coach. Following a 2-1 defeat to Swindon Town in January, there was growing discontent among sections of the fanbase.
Criticism Never Shook His Belief
Jardim, who has previously worked with Maritimo, Nacional, and Swansea City, insists he has nothing to prove to his critics.
“I don’t need to prove anything to anyone,” he stated. “The only people I have to prove myself to is the people I work with every day.”
“Sometimes you work hard and you don’t get what you deserve. We went through a spell of games where we were playing better than we’re playing now, but results were not coming off,” he added.
With Newport now firmly away from the relegation battle, Jardim’s focus will be on ensuring his side maintains their upward trajectory and finishes the season strongly.
Writer’s View
Newport’s recent turnaround has justified Jardim’s unwavering confidence, but the earlier concerns were not unfounded given their dismal form at the time. While results have improved dramatically, the challenge now is to sustain this momentum. If they continue to build on their current performances, Newport could even set their sights higher and push for a strong mid-table finish rather than merely surviving.
