Jardim positive after Newport County's 3-1 loss at Bradford

The Exiles had a pointless trip to Valley Parade on Monday night but their head coach saw reason for optimism for Saturday’s return to Yorkshire to face Harrogate in League Two.

County trailed 1-0 at half-time after Andy Cook’s superb header in the 39th minute but levelled in the same fashion in the 65th when Kyle Hudlin rewarded their pressure.

However, Jardim’s side had nothing to show for their efforts after goals from crosses by Jamie Walker and Bobby Pointon after 74 and 84 minutes.

It means that County have taken just three points from five games on the road this season with a smash-and-grab at Morecambe in August.

“If we play like we did at Bradford consistently then I am very positive about the future,” said Jardim.

“In the second half the boys stuck to the plan very well and that’s something that I have to be proud of, and with the effort they are putting in every day.

LEVEL: County striker Kyle Hudlin headed in to make it 1-1 at Bradford (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

“There were a lot of positives from this game, we go away proud but know there is a lot to improve on.

“It was not the result that we wanted but I thought we were good and I could see a lot of improvements from the other away games.

“We came back into the game to draw and in that period I felt we were the better team, then we conceded a second goal. That was a bit unfair and then the third came when we had lost our shape.

“Overall I don’t think it was a two-goal difference game and it was a defeat in which there were a lot of positives, and little details we have to make sure we get right.”

Bobby Kamwa on the attack for County at Bradford (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

Jardim also lamented being down to 10 men for Walker’s goal, with winger Bobby Kamwa having to wait 30 seconds to return to the field after changing his footwear.

“I thought that we were the better team and were controlling the game but we had Bobby changing his boots and that changed the dynamic of our defensive shape, then the goal came straight after that. We were punished by one little detail,” he said.

County will be forced into another defensive rejig against Harrogate with Anthony Glennon serving a one-match ban for picking up his fifth booking of the campaign.

They hope to be able to call on experienced centre-back James Clarke, who was an unused substitute because he wouldn’t have been ready for the full 90 at Valley Parade after injury.

County will need to be stronger at the back while they will also need to be sharper in front of goal after failing to take their opportunities in Bradford.

“I am happy with the way things went because we created a lot of chances, and that’s a key factor moving forward,” said Jardim.

“We were close to the second goal more than Bradford, we had a lot of the ball, we were passing and creating goal-scoring chances.

“That little detail when not in the right shape, they got the second and after that was difficult for us.”