ANTHONY Glennon became Newport County AFC’s first summer signing on Monday evening, and is tasked with solving what has been a problem position.

The 24-year-old has joined the Exiles on a two-year deal after being targeted and convinced to sign by owner Huw Jenkins.

The left-back, who came through the ranks at Liverpool and was at Grimsby last season, heads to Newport with the aim of being a hit down that flank to rival the success stories on the right.

County have had a good run of right wing-backs since Covid in Liam Shephard, Aaron Lewis, Cameron Norman and now Shane McLoughlin.

In differing ways, they have all ticked the box in terms of providing defensive solidity and an attacking threat.

The Exiles haven’t quite been able to settle in the same way down the left.

In Michael Flynn’s side of 2020/21 that went so close to promotion it was the steady duo of Ryan Haynes and occasionally Lewis.

The pair continued the following season when, after Flynn was replaced by James Rowberry, County endured a poor run-in to fall out of the play-off picture.

Haynes headed to Northampton in the summer of 2022 and in came Adam Lewis on loan from Liverpool.

Aaron Lewis, comfortable with both feet, remained an option for 2022/23 before moving to Mansfield and winning promotion.

Adam returned last season when fellow loanee Matty Bondswell was the other candidate.

That McLoughlin proved to be the most dependable left-back, with top scorer Will Evans also pressed into emergency duty, tells the story.

Adam Lewis, who is on the hunt for a new club after being released by Liverpool, is a talent but was troubled by injury and made 58 appearances for the Exiles over two seasons.

MOVE: Anthony Glennon has signed for CountyMOVE: Anthony Glennon has signed for County (Image: Newport County)

The hope is that Glennon can nail down the position – and provide balance – in a way that nobody has since Dan Butler in 2018/19.

Of course, the new man has joined a club currently without a boss.

Graham Coughlan favoured a 3-5-2, will that be the shape under the new head coach or will Glennon be tasked with playing in a flat four?

The new man’s track record suggests that he wants to be on the front foot.

Glennon made 15 League Two appearances last season and provided four assists - a tally that only McLoughlin and Lewis Payne could match from County (which shows the reliance on the right flank).

Whoscored.com list state the new man is very strong at crossing, key passes and taking free-kicks, while he weaknesses are tackling and aerial duels.

His pass success percentage for last season was 71.5, a figure that only James Waite and Aaron Wildig could beat with the Exiles.

Glennon will try to be as influential down the left as McLoughlin was down the right until a calf injury in February (which played a huge part in County’s slump).

Comparing the two with Fotmob’s data obviously has its challenges because of the Exiles and Mariners’ differing approaches but the new signing, who also has League Two experience with Barrow, comes out pretty favourably, especially in attack…

PASSING

Assists: McLoughlin 0.20 (per 90 minutes), Glennon 0.29.

Expected assists: McLoughlin 0.14, Glennon 0.38.

Successful passes: McLoughlin 21.91 (accuracy 64.9 per cent), Glennon 33.15 (accuracy 71.5).

Chances created: McLoughlin 1.50, Glennon 2.71.

Successful crosses: McLoughlin 1.43, Glennon 2.64.

Cross accuracy: McLoughlin 23.9 per cent, Glennon 25.7.

POSSESSION

Successful dribbles: McLoughlin 0.52 per 90 (44.4 per cent success), Glennon 0.59 (57.1 success).

Touches: McLoughlin 65.2, Glennon 79.95.

Fouls won: McLoughlin 1.95, Glennon 0.81.

DEFENDING

Tackles won: McLoughlin 1.30 (65.6 per cent success), Glennon 1.03 (53.8).

Duels won: McLoughlin 5.59 duels won (58.1 per cent), Glennon 4.33 (65.6).

Aerial duels: McLoughlin 1.24 (42.2 per cent), Glennon 1.10 (53.6).

Interceptions: McLoughlin 1.17, Glennon 1.17.

Recoveries: McLoughlin 6.63, Glennon 4.91.

Dribbled past: McLoughlin 1.07, Glennon 0.59.

SLIDE: Anthony Glennon makes a tackle for GrimsbySLIDE: Anthony Glennon makes a tackle for Grimsby (Image: PA)

Glennon will hope to hit the ground running in Newport and if he is a hit then County will look more balanced after 46 per cent of their attacks were down the right last season, with 31 down the left and 23 through the middle.

Coughlan signed a cracker from Grimsby last summer when bringing in Bryn Morris, who played in midfield for all 57 games in all competitions (56 of them starts).

Chairman Jenkins, who was calling the shots in recruitment before the exit of Coughlan, will hope to have similar luck after bringing another Mariner down to Rodney Parade.