Newport County

Newport County started the Hayden Mullins era with a Carabao Cup defeat by AFC Wimbledon, but it was an encouraging performance.

The Exiles were close to knocking out the League One Dons, who equalised deep in stoppage time and then progressed on penalties.

County have had a summer of change after the shock departure of Christian Fuchs, but there were plenty of positives from Mullins' first competitive fixture.

The manager will hope to build on them when League Two gets under way with the visit of Rochdale on Saturday, 15 August (12:30 BST).

Yahya Bamba scored a terrific goal on debut, what did you make of the new signings?

Did County have a more solid look thanks to the additions of Cameron Norman and Kyle Cameron in defence?

What other signings need to be made in the rest of the transfer window?

Let us know what you think by clicking here.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins has urged Yahya Bamba to believe in himself after a stunning goal on debut.

The summer signing from Forest Green Rovers caught the eye on his first competitive outing for the Exiles by scoring a superb solo goal against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup.

It looked like his 71st-minute strike – when he came off the left wing and curled in an effort from outside the area – would be the winner but the Dons levelled in added time and then went through on penalties.

County, however, took plenty of positives from the performance before their League Two opener with Rochdale on Saturday, including the fast feet of winger Bamba.

"I really want him to believe in his ability, because in the first half he was a little bit quiet for his standards," said new manager Mullins.

"He had times when he had the ball and could have exploded, because there was grass in behind.

"He was a little bit safe but we spoke about that at half-time and tried to encourage him a bit more.

"He came out in the second half and was a real threat every time that the game opened up and we got him the ball.

"He was a danger and scored a fantastic goal, which he definitely deserved."

Bamba came off with a tight hamstring and will hope to recover to feature against Rochdale at Rodney Parade on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins hopes that suffering late Carabao Cup anguish against AFC Wimbledon will serve them well in League Two.

The Exiles looked set to knock the League One Dons out in the first round when leading 1-0 through Yahya Bamba's terrific debut goal.

But Callum Maycock equalised in the seventh of nine added minutes and then Wimbledon won 5-4 on penalties, with Wales midfielder Matt Smith the only player to have an effort saved.

Mullins was proud of his team but disappointed they did not stand up to late pressure.

"We are going into a tough season now in League Two and will need to dig in. Those moments will be key," he said.

Mullins took the reins at the end of July and, after friendlies against Yeovil Town and Italian Serie A side Roma, now has a full week working with his squad.

The Exiles, who avoided relegation on the final day of the 2025-26 season, start their new League Two campaign with a home fixture against promoted Rochdale on Saturday, 15 August (12:30 BST).

"We will have a settled week and some time to really get to work on the training field. It's been a little bit of a rush," said Mullins.

"We've just got to remember we are a threat and a good side when we are nice and organised.

"We look a hard team to break down and the club have made some really good signings, with experience and a good blend.

"We are a couple short of where we need to be, but I am sure they will be arriving in the coming weeks."

Image source, Getty Images

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Newport County have signed left-back Alfie Merritt on a season-long loan from Bournemouth.

The 18-year-old featured on trial for the Exiles in pre-season and started in Tuesday's 4-1 friendly defeat by Italian giants Roma at Rodney Parade.

Merritt signed his first professional contract with the Cherries last summer and got a taste of senior football when making 13 appearances for Totton in Southern League Premier South last season.

The teenager will now spend the 2026-27 campaign with County in League Two, competing with Tom Davies for the start at left-back.

Merritt could make his debut against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Saturday, 8 August (15:00 BST).

Merritt is the first signing made since the appointment of Hayden Mullins as manager and the ninth in total.

Six players were signed while Christian Fuchs was in the hotseat - Harrison Biggins, Christian Doidge, Cameron Norman, Dan Sassi, Shaquille Gwengwe and Yahya Bamba - and Kyle Cameron and Kieron Evans joined after the Austrian's shock departure.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins says he cannot wait to get started before Saturday's first competitive game against AFC Wimbledon.

Having overseen just two training sessions and two friendly matches since being appointed, the former Fulham Under-21 head coach takes his side to Cherry Red Records Stadium for the first round of the EFL Cup (15:00 BST).

"I know it'll be a tough game against good opposition. I know [Wimbledon boss] Johnnie Jackson and how he sets his teams up," said Mullins.

"But if we approach it with the same mentality as we showed against Roma then we should be able to give them a good game."

The Dons finished 19th in League One last season and Mullins says he expects "a real tough game".

"They're playing at home, the fans' expectations will be high," he added.

"They expect to get a good result so hopefully we can go there and put a spanner in what he's thinking."

New club captain Kyle Cameron echoed his manager's thoughts.

"I know from playing against them before that they're well-drilled. It's going to be a tough test and good marker of where we're at."

But Cameron, who only joined the Exiles six weeks ago, is optimistic about County's hopes of causing an upset.

"We are creating chances and causing teams problems," he said.

"If you can do that against a side like Roma, you'd like to think we can take that confidence into Saturday as well.

"The fighting performances are what we're going to need and hopefully we'll be on the end of a good result."

Mullins, meanwhile, has revealed that Newport are closing in on another signing, who perhaps has already appeared for County this pre-season.

Teenage AFC Bournemouth defender Alfie Merritt featured for the Exiles in Tuesday's 4-1 pre-season defeat by the Italian side.

“I think we're in the process of doing one of those,“ confirmed the manager.

“And we're still looking for another couple of players as well.”

We asked Newport County fans for their views on what the Exiles still need to do before the start of the League Two season and what their expectations are with Hayden Mullins the new manager in the dugout.

Here is what some fans had to say:

Robert: Newport need a miracle.

Ade: We have signed players that no one else wants. Nothing seems organised like last season. I fear for us, I really do. Even our new kit looks poor. Home, away and third. Shambolic across the club.

Benjamin: I'm praying that we will do well because of the new signings. Hopefully we are not battling relegation this time. I don't really know too much about Mullins, but hopefully he does good for this club, because our past managers have not. I am hoping we can finish in mid-table. We possibly need a few more signings, but I think that we've got a solid team now, so I think we'll be fine.

Harvey: We can't instantly have bad views on Hayden Mullins. I think he will do good and I'm excited for the future. I think we've got space for a few more signings. But I think we've been all right so far. Probably a new backup striker would be good because although we have Shaquille Gwengwe and Christian Doidge, I think we do need another one. I'm going for a mid-table finish, like 17th maybe.

Carl: Huw Jenkins needs to step forward and tell us, the fans, what his intentions are for the upcoming season and stop treating us as fools. We know the club, we understand things are tight but give us some vision so we can move forward. And I have said previously you need experience in this league, a tested goal scorer and defenders otherwise it's going to be one long season and us paying fans don't deserve that.

Mark: I think Mullins is a decent appointment. Let's hope he stays here longer than Fuchs did. And hopefully we can go onwards and upwards up that table. I think we can push for mid-table, but I'd like the play-offs.

Richard: Hopefully we can have a better season than last year and let's hope the new signings can hit the ground running and we can get a few wins in the first month of the season. We could always do with a few signings, but it's whether they're prepared to get the cheque book out. I'd be happy with mid-table after last season. If we're mid-table safety, that'll do us. Results will speak for themselves at the end of the day for Mullins. He needs to get the fans on board in the first half a dozen games with some positive results.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Despite taking encouragement from Newport County's performance against Roma, head coach Hayden Mullins admits the Exiles are still short of where they need to be.

Mullins told BBC Sport Wales after his appointment that Newport needed reinforcements, and he reiterated that several signings were needed following the 4-1 defeat to the Italian giants at Rodney Parade.

"I still feel like we're three or four players away from where we need to be, in squad depth and what we're going to need throughout the season," said Mullins.

"It's a long, hard season, 46 games. We know that. It's a tough division.

"We are definitely in the process of getting that together. We know where we want to strengthen, so hopefully in the next week or so we should see a few more bodies coming in."

One area where the 47-year-old would like to add is at left-back. On Tuesday evening, an unnamed triallist was tasked with keeping the likes of Paulo Dybala and Santiago Castro quiet.

And after the game, Mullins confirmed that the club were weighing up a possible loan.

"That's Alfie from Bournemouth," he said.

"He's been with the club now for a couple of weeks. We're just having a look at whether to take him on loan or not.

"I think that's one position where we need cover, or we need someone to push Tom (Davies). Alfie is one we've been looking at."

County have already lost several important players this summer, including captain Matt Baker and wide men Bobby Kamwa and Michael Spellman.

While they have added already in wide areas through Shaquille Gwengwe and Yahya Bamba, Mullins believes that remains an area of improvement alongside "another couple of areas too."

Mullins also revealed he has not added to his backroom staff, with his focus since arriving at Rodney Parade firmly on recruitment and preparing the squad for the new League Two campaign just over a week away.

Image source, Rex Features

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins has urged his players to concentrate on themselves when they complete preparations for the new season against Roma.

The Exiles host the Italian giants, who lost 4-1 to Cardiff on Saturday, tonight (19:00 BST) in Mullins' first game in the dugout at Rodney Parade.

County beat National League side Yeovil in the former Fulham under-21 boss' first friendly in the hot seat, but they face a different test this evening.

"We've got to concentrate on what we want to do, how we set up. They are a very good team," said Mullins.

"We could draw a Premier League team in the cup, for example, and it could be a similar set-up.

"We will try to get some bits into the boys about how we want to go about our game, work out of possession and how to potentially hurt them.

"It's a fantastic game for the fans, and for everyone. We are looking forward to it."

Newport will begin the 2026-27 season with a Carabao Cup tie against League One side AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, 8 August (15:00 BST).

Mullins' first League Two fixture as Exiles manager is against Rochdale on Saturday, 15 August (12:30 BST).

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

New manager Hayden Mullins admits Newport County are "three or four" players short with just a week to the start of the season.

The Exiles have appointed the former Crystal Palace, West Ham and Portsmouth midfielder as their new boss after the shock departure of Christian Fuchs at the end of June.

The Austrian left after County had signed six players - Harrison Biggins, Christian Doidge, Cameron Norman, Dan Sassi, Shaquille Gwengwe and Yahya Bamba - and they added Kyle Cameron and Kieron Evans while owner Huw Jenkins picked his next manager.

"We are definitely three or four players short of where we need to be. The fans will see some movement and we will be working hard to get targets," said Mullins on Radio Wales Drive.

"With me coming from Fulham, I am clued up in terms of the loan market and category one [academy] players."

Former Swansea chairman Jenkins has taken the lead in recruitment since his takeover was completed in January 2024.

He has shaped the squads that Nelson Jardim, David Hughes, Fuchs and now Mullins have worked with.

"I will have a say in who comes in, definitely. We had a chat a couple of hours ago about players and targets, and there is a video that has been sent over for me to have a look at," said Mullins on Friday.

"With Huw, he is a really experienced man and you have got to trust his view and eye as well. It's a collaboration.

"We will sit down and talk about targets. I am a head coach – I can coach, develop and work with a group – and I will have a say in transfers and who comes in."

County play their first competitive game at AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Saturday, 8 August and kick off their League Two campaign at home to Rochdale seven days later.

Image source, Shutterstock

Tranmere have signed striker Courtney Baker-Richardson on a one-year deal.

The 30-year-old was a free agent after leaving Newport County at the end of last season.

He could make his debut for the League Two side in Saturday's Carabao Cup preliminary-round tie at Rochdale.

"He works hard for the team, competes well and will give us another good option in the forward areas," boss Darrell Clarke told the club website., external

Image source, BBC Sport

Newport County are still on the hunt for a new permanent manager following the departure of Christian Fuchs in late June.

Interim boss Chris Todd has said he would "love" the chance to become the permanent manager, but who do you think should take over?

And though there have been several new signings, Todd feels Newport still "need more" before the window closes in September.

Newport face AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, 8 August in the EFL Cup, just over two weeks away.

So what needs to happen at Rodney Parade between now and then?

Is the managerial situation more important than the signings?

What positions should the Exiles be prioritising? Who has to step up?

You have heard our thoughts; now it is time for you to have your say.

Send us your views here.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

While Newport County may still need reinforcements on the pitch, uncertainty remains over who will lead the team into the new season as their search for a permanent manager continues.

Following Christian Fuchs' departure, Chris Todd was placed in temporary charge and has overseen the Exiles' pre-season preparations.

Whether he remains at the helm or returns to a coaching role, Todd says his focus is solely on helping County move forward.

"It's been enjoyable," said Todd.

"It's been hard work. I joined the club last season, so whether the chairman wants to make me the manager, that will be in conversations that we have.

"If not, I will stay at the football club and do everything I can to help everybody in the squad be ready for that first game."

Todd returned to Rodney Parade in March as assistant first-team coach to Fuchs, having previously represented the club as a player.

The 44-year-old has not hidden his desire to take on the manager role permanently.

"I would love to, obviously, but it's got to be right," he added.

"I think I'm ready to do that. Of course I'm going to back myself on that.

"But if the chairman decides otherwise and the time is not right, then I will support whoever comes in.

"Whether that is as a coach or whatever it may be, it doesn't really matter to me. I'll be ready."

Regardless of the decision, Todd insists his priority is to "help the club strive forward" in the hope that they can find life in League Two a little easier after several years plagued by relegation concerns.

Newport visit Yeovil Town on Saturday before concluding pre-season against Italian giants AS Roma at Rodney Parade, with Todd quipping that he hopes his side are not given too much of a run-around by the Champions League outfit.