Let's get juices flowing for next season
Caretaker boss Dafydd Williams wants to put smiles on fans' faces in Newport County's final match of the season - and get their "juices flowing" for 2025-26.Williams, who took charge following Nelson Jardim's departure last month, says it has been a "disappointing" campaign with County sitting 21st in League Two, without a win in the past eight games.But he wants to end the season on a high when they host Tranmere Rovers at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 3 May (15:00 BST), urging his players to show more grit and determination than they have at times this season. "I want to see a Newport County performance. I want to see fighting spirit, aggression and a competitive edge to us," said Williams. "I want us to get more attacking outcomes and defend our goal a bit better. There's been a lot this season where some might feel we've become disassociated with what a Newport team looks like and feels like."We want to give everyone a great afternoon to finish off what's been a disappointing season."I'd love nothing more than to give them that feeling at 5pm on Saturday that 'I've watched (a classic) Newport County today'."Hopefully they can see a performance that gets the juices flowing for next season."Williams stepped in for the final two games of the season following Jardim's departure by mutual consent after just under a season in charge.In recent months County have struggled to string wins together and climb the table, winning only two of their past 15 games. But Williams, who says he is open to succeeding Jardim on a permanent basis if asked, believes fans can feel optimistic of improvements in 2025-26."I do think it's an exciting time for the club mid-to-long term," he said."Things need to change, we need to learn from a lot of things. But equally, if we can bring back that Newport County feeling on a Saturday afternoon, then I think it'd be a really enjoyable place to be, and something I'd love to be a part of."
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