Newport County head coach David Hughes insists he can turn results around after a 1–0 home defeat to Swindon Town left the Exiles bottom of League Two and sparked chants against chairman Huw Jenkins.
Ollie Palmer’s 10th-minute flick settled a tense afternoon at Rodney Parade, where frustration boiled over following a run of 10 losses in 11 matches.
‘We Can Turn It Around’ — Hughes Stands Firm
Under mounting pressure, Hughes struck a defiant tone and pointed to an improved second-half display as evidence that belief remains intact within the dressing room.
“I absolutely believe we can turn results around,” he said, praising the players’ intent and work-rate after the break. “We’re just missing that level of composure in the box. We lacked conviction in the final third.”
The manager accepted that defensive lapses continue to prove costly but maintained that performances are trending upwards, even if the scorelines are not. He also underlined the importance of body language and togetherness, stressing that his players remain “all in” and committed to arresting the slide.
Fans’ Anger Trains on the Board
As the final whistle blew, sections of the home support aimed their ire at chairman and majority owner Huw Jenkins, with chants of “We want Jenkins out” and “We want our club back”. The recruitment strategy has become a flashpoint; Hughes has previously highlighted the squad’s lack of experience, while supporters have questioned the quality and balance of the summer intake.
Hughes, however, was keen to credit Jenkins for continued backing, revealing regular dialogue on plans and principles. “He’s totally committed,” the head coach said, noting a shared focus on building a sustainable culture even amid poor results.
Bleak Numbers, Narrow Margins
Newport’s form has been stark: one win in 14 under Hughes, one victory in 23 overall, and no home win since 15 March. County remain the only side in the division without a clean sheet this season, and only Cheltenham have conceded more goals. Yet the manager argued fine margins decided the Swindon defeat — three shots on target for the visitors to County’s two — and that incremental gains can still trigger a turnaround.
Writer’s View
Hughes is right that performances matter — up to a point. Newport’s effort and organisation in spells are evident, but the table is unforgiving and the metrics are damning: set-play lapses, a shortage of experience, and too little penalty-box conviction.
The next three league fixtures feel season-shaping and job-defining. If County translate intent into wins, Hughes’s insistence that the culture is sound will gain credibility. If not, boardroom scrutiny will shift from recruitment to the dugout, and the volume from the terraces may force decisions sooner rather than later.
