NELSON Jardim believes getting to a ‘comfortable’ League Two position will enable him to really implement his style at Newport County AFC.
The break for the first round of the FA Cup this weekend presents a chance for some reflection on what has gone on in the fourth tier.
County have made an encouraging start to the campaign after being tipped by many for a relegation scrap.
They certainly aren’t clear of the strugglers but they have built a healthy gap going into the busy autumn and winter schedule.
The Exiles have taken 19 points from 14 games (an average of 1.36 per fixture) after recording a total of 55 under Graham Coughlan last season (average 1.20), when the wheels came off in an eight-game losing streak to finish.
The #SkyBetLeagueTwo standings!#EFL pic.twitter.com/f4RExMpDwM
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) October 29, 2024
County were on 15 points at the 14-game stage in 2023/24 and it was around now that, with injuries taking their toll on the squad, the manager hit a low ebb at Notts County.
"I am telling my players I'm in a corner now and I need their backing and I need their help. I want to see how many of them are willing to back me the way I've backed them all season,” he said after a 3-0 defeat at Meadow Lane.
He got a response from his squad and not only did they go on a lucrative FA Cup run but they pushed themselves into being play-off contenders until weary legs and injuries led to them imploding.
Huw Jenkins opted for a change of boss in the summer and plumped for Jardim to coach a squad that the owner played the leading role in building.
The intention is to change County’s style, to have a more possession-based approach similar to ‘the Swansea way’ that worked so well for the chairman out west.
It is, of course, early days but there has not been a dramatic change at Rodney Parade yet.
Jardim’s first task is to help the squad gel while picking up points to ensure they aren’t in a relegation scrap.
As stated above, it’s going pretty well on that front with County having a reasonable win-draw-loss record and hoping that the likes of Morecambe, Carlisle, Swindon and Colchester continue to struggle.
However, the stats show there is plenty of work to do with their style.
County are currently ranked 19th out of 24 for average possession with 44.9 per cent and in their 14 games have had more of the ball on just TWO occasions (the defeats at Chesterfield and Harrogate).
They are down in 17th for accurate passes per match- their average of 236.1 is less than half that of pass masters Notts County – and they are a distant last when it comes to touches in the opposition’s box.
The improvements are marginal on 2023/24 when they were ranked 23rd for average possession (43.7 per cent) and accurate passes per game (202.4).
Last season the Exiles had the tireless running of prolific striker Will Evans to chase long balls and get them up the pitch, where they were ranked second for possession won in the final third.
His departure for Mansfield has denied County of that tactic and the squad are still finding their way when it comes to being more expansive.
“It’s difficult and we said in July that it would take time. We have so many new players and change doesn’t happen overnight,” said Jardim.
“You have to work at it and you have to make sure you have that comfort that I have been speaking about from the beginning. That comfort is only there when you have got the points on the board.
“At Harrogate we had around 60 per cent of the ball and lost, so it’s making sure that first we get the points while building strong character and spirit with boys that enjoy being together and working hard every day.
“We have got 80, 90 per cent of that already, then when we get the points on the board we will have these young players with confidence and with experienced players like Nick Townsend, Aaron Wildig, James Clarke, Courtney Baker-Richardson around them. Then everyone will see the best of this team.”
County will hope that the stats improve and that they become easier on the eye while staying well away from those at the bottom.
COUNTY’S STATS
AVERAGE POSSESSION
This season: 44.9 per cent (ranked 19th).
Last season: 43.7% (23rd).
This season's leaders: Notts County (64.9%).
ACCURATE PASSES PER MATCH
This season: 236.1 (17th).
Last season: 202.4 (23rd).
This season's leaders: Notts County 496.2.
ACCURATE LONG BALLS PER MATCH
This season: 22.6 (20th).
Last season: 25.4 (21st).
This season's leaders: Chesterfield (34.9).
ACCURATE CROSSES PER MATCH
This season: 3.1 (22nd).
Last season: 3.9 (20th).
This season's leaders: AFC Wimbledon 6.1.
TOUCHES IN OPPOSITION BOX
This season: 169 (average 12.1 per game, 24th).
Last season: 833 (18.1, 23rd).
This season's leaders: Doncaster 376 (average per game).
SHOTS ON TARGET PER MATCH
This season: 2.8 (23rd).
Last season: 3.5 (23rd).
This season's leaders: AFC Wimbledon (5.1).
GOALS PER MATCH
This season: 1.3 (10th).
Last season: 1.3 (16th).
This season's leaders: Chesterfield (2.0).
EXPECTED GOALS DIFFERENCE
This season: 1.71 (5th).
Last season: 2.58 (8th).
This season's leaders: Chesterfield (8.29).
BIG CHANCES
This season: 28 (average 2.0 per game, 7th).
Last season: 82 (average 1.78, 21st).
This season's leaders: Walsall 42.
POSSESSION WON FINAL THIRD PER MATCH
This season: 2.5 (22nd).
Last season: 5.0 (2nd).
This season's leaders: Morecambe (4.2).
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