RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesNewport County are aiming to improve on their 20th-placed finish last season. [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
The slog of pre-season may be nearing its end, but there is still plenty of work to do at Newport County.
Following Tuesday's 4-0 defeat to Reading, interim boss Chris Todd says the club remain active behind the scenes as they look to strengthen the squad and leave their League Two relegation worries behind them.
"Everybody's striving for one thing, and that's trying to be up the table rather than down," said Todd.
Having made seven new signings, some proven at League Two level and others stepping up to the plate from non-league football, Newport will hope to find life a little easier this year.
But Todd acknowledges that more additions may yet be required.
"We know we need a few, but that will be down to obviously the chairman to make that decision," he said.
"There are always opportunities to strengthen. It's got to be right for the football club.
"Do we need a few more in different positions? Yes, but we're already working on that."
With just over two weeks until County begin their campaign away at AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup, time is running short.
BBC Sport Wales takes a look at the key question marks still facing the Exiles.
Can leaky Newport plug their defensive issues?
Newport's clearest weakness last season was at the back.
The Rodney Parade side kept just seven clean sheets and conceded 77 goals as they battled against the drop last term. Only three sides shipped more.
Goalkeeper Jordan Wright was forced into 137 saves and County dropped points from winning positions on 11 occasions, as individual errors and poor organisation repeatedly proved costly.
Similarly, Todd's frustration after Reading was more with the manner of the goals they conceded and the lack of organisation his side showed.
But despite the four-goal margin, there were some encouraging signs against the Royals.
Having featured 18 times for Bromley as they won promotion last season, summer signing Kyle Cameron donned the captain's armband, bringing composure and aggression to the backline.
And former Tranmere Rovers man Cameron Norman looked tough in the tackle at right-back as he returned to NP19.
The losses of Matt Baker - who played the most minutes of any County player last season - and Anthony Driscoll-Glennon do remove experience, but there is still depth.
Joe Thomas, Tom Davies and Cameron Evans can play at full-back, Dan Sassi adds competition at centre-back and youngster Harrison Halpin is pushing for opportunities, having netted in Newport's draw with Bath.
Newport's defensive options appear healthier than last season, but they do currently lack a senior figure at the back.
Having shipped six goals in their last two pre-season fixtures, it is clear Newport must improve in that department.
Perhaps an experienced League Two defender with pace and leadership qualities could help ensure the mistakes that Todd fears "creeping in" become less frequent.
Cameron Norman previously played for Newport from 2021 to 2023. [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
A lack of depth and midfield creativity?
The midfield looks less settled
Having been increasingly influential in the survival run-in, the departure of Sven Sprangler to Walsall leaves a significant void.
His energy, defensive work and reliability in possession will be difficult to replace.
That responsibility now appears to fall on Cameron Evans, Ciaran Brennan and Keenan Patten, while Harrison Biggins is expected to shoulder much of the creative burden after making his move from Shrewsbury permanent.
Biggins registered five goal contributions in 21 appearances last season, but if he is to become Newport's main creator, that output may need to increase.
Beyond Biggins, options are limited.
Kieron Evans has returned after a spell with Eastleigh, where he scored three times last season, and Matt Smith remains an option, but the Exiles are lacking midfield options with attacking impetus.
With Patten, Brennan, Evans and Cole Jarvis all more defensive-minded midfielders, adding a creative cog in the midfield could be key.
But Todd says there should still be optimism about the group's development.
"There's good players in that squad," he said. "It's bedding them in a little bit and working together, finding the right patterns and systems.
"I believe we're getting there. There's a lot more to be done. But I think it's headed in the right direction with a few adjustments."
Latest Newport County news, analysis and fan views
Do Newport have enough ammunition up front?
The greatest concern, however, is in attack.
Newport scored just 48 league goals last season, the sixth fewest in League Two. Since then, they have lost their top four scorers.
Nathaniel Opoku, who finished as top scorer with six goals, has returned to Leicester City.
Bobby Kamwa and Michael Spellman have also departed after contributing 10 goals between them, while four-goal Courtney Baker-Richardson has been released.
As things stand, Harrison Biggins' three league goals last season make him Newport's highest-scoring returning player.
James Crole finished as the club's leading assister with four but is set to miss the start of the campaign through injury.
For a side that averaged barely a goal per game and failed to score in more than a third of their matches, losing nearly half of last season's attacking output creates an obvious problem.
To address the exodus of goals, Newport have recruited former Forest Green Rovers wide player Yahya Bamba and non-league talisman Shaquille Gwengwe.
Gwengwe arrives with a good eye for goal, having scored 47 times for Poole Town in the seventh tier last season, and already netted a pre-season hat-trick, but both remain untested in the EFL.
Todd, however, says they are settlin...
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