Jardim proud of season efforts ahead of Walsall test
Nelson Jardim says he is proud of Newport County's efforts during the course of his debut campaign at the club so far.They have endured numerous difficult spells since Jardim was named as Graham Coughlan's successor last summer and are currently winless in six matches.The Exiles can mathematically clinch League Two survival on Monday when they host promotion-chasing Walsall at Rodney Parade (12:30 BST).Despite plenty of ups and downs since being named as boss, Jardim believes the tougher experiences from the 2024-25 campaign will stand Newport in good stead in the long term."I'm proud of what we have been doing this season," he told BBC Radio Wales after his side's 0-0 draw at MK Dons on Friday."Sometimes things don't go our way. Set plays have let us down in a lot of games, but I'm pleased coming here (to MK Dons), we know they've got a really good manager with a project in front of him."I think this league, it's tough in every game. You can't say you're going to win or lose any game. It's about what you're able to deliver on the day."It's about being consistent. Sometimes teams are not able to do that and we went through those spells. We were expecting to have that this season."Hopefully next season the club will be much better. Hopefully that stability that the club needs, having been through this experience will help the club."Walsall appeared destined to cruise to the League Two title earlier on this year.But the Saddlers dropped out of the top three ahead of their trip to south Wales as their winless run was extended to 11 matches following a 2-2 draw with Harrogate Town.Following the contest with Mat Sadler's side, Newport travel to Fleetwood Town on 26 April before rounding off the season at home against relegation-threatened Tranmere Rovers a week later.
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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Ashton Hewitt opens up on the uncertain life of a rugby player in Wales after being released by the Dragons: 'It's been difficult to enjoy'
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After playing his entire career for the Newport-based Dragons, the 30-year-old has been released by his home region and is yet to sign a new contract elsewhere. It's left him, partner Ellis and five-month-old daughter Thea wondering what's next. 'For the last five years or maybe longer, there has been something every single year in Wales that has impacted the players and put lots of us in difficult positions,' Hewitt told MailSport. 'To be honest, it's been difficult to enjoy rugby because of that. It feels like a long time since as players, we've just been able to focus on the game and there's been no noise about anything else. It's been a s*** position to be in. I know I speak for myself when I say uncertainty and off-field stuff impacts performance. It's hard for it not to.' Hewitt gave his all for the Dragons over the course of 12 years and is second on the list of the region's all-time leading try-scorers. In the line of duty, he suffered two serious knee injuries. 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He does have other non-sporting irons in the fire. But it is in rugby he would like to stay. Had he not cruelly been struck down by injury, Hewitt would surely have represented Wales. He was primed for a debut in the summer of 2018. 'Elliot Dee ran into me full tilt in training,' Hewitt recalled. 'Shaun Edwards was defence coach and I wanted to impress him, so I went in hard. 'It was a little bit rogue. It ended badly. The toughest thing for me has been whenever I've got injured, I've always been at the very top of my game. When you rack up two or three serious injuries as I have, you're out of the game for a long, long time.' It is hard to argue with Hewitt when he says players in Wales deserve better. The current struggles of the national side and the regional teams are down to a number of complex factors, but it is clear the game needs to be run far better than it is currently. 'There is huge pressure with what's going on in Welsh rugby. I don't know all the answers, but I've been heavily involved,' Hewitt said. 'Could it be better? Yes. 'The WRPA do a great job, but it's a small organisation with limited resource. I didn't have a whole load of time to get my head around the contract situation. 'It's been a rollercoaster of emotions. I've been at the Dragons my entire career. It's my home region and means so much to me, so it's strange to be in this situation. 'There's a lot the corporate world can learn from professional sport, rugby specifically. I want to make a difference in whatever it is I do. There are issues to address in society and hopefully, I'd like to be a catalyst for change. 'I'd like to work with clubs in the same way I'm working with other organisations now. 'That could be a route I'd go down. 'I am prepared if I don't get another contract, but that's not what I want. I understand the issues in the game, but I truly believe I can still offer a lot on the field.'
STV News
5 hours ago
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McLeish: Rangers need to get recruitment right to help Martin
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BBC News
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Winger Kaikai agrees new Cambridge deal
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