Newport cup rotation gives boss a welcome headache
The Championship side won Tuesday night's EFL Cup tie at Rodney Parade 1-0 thanks to Ryan Leonard's thumping finish on the hour.
Hughes tasted defeat for the first time since taking the reins but the Exiles boss was pleased with how his team performed after making eight changes to the XI that beat Crawley Town 2-1 in League Two.
"The lads who started deserved to start because of the way that they have trained continuously," he said. "They have come on in games and impacted them.
"The most telling factor for us as a group was that nothing really changed. I am disappointed to have lost but I am really pleased, some of the football in the first 30 minutes was outstanding."
Debutant goalkeeper Jordan Wright pulled off three excellent saves and Manchester United loanee Habeeb Ogunneye impressed on his first start.
Left wing-back Anthony Glennon, centre-back Cameron Evans and forward Bobby Kamwa also came into the XI for the first time this season after being regulars in the 2024-25 campaign.
"The hard part has been telling people they haven't been starting because of the way that they have gone about it," said Hughes. "They showed against Millwall the mentality and collectiveness of the group."
Newport now face the long trip to Grimsby on Saturday (15:00 BST), which is followed by a home Tuesday fixture against Salford and then another against Milton Keynes Dons.
Hughes and his management team are making it clear to the squad that rotation is necessary in a hectic start to the campaign.
"What they have to accept is that there are 46 league games, although unfortunately not another Carabao Cup game," he said.
"There will be in excess of 50 games this season and everybody will play significant amounts of football.
"That's the message to the group, we need everybody to stick together and support each other, show no disappointment if you don't start but come on to show and illustrate your ability. Everybody has done that."
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