TT PREVIEW

Ed from 1912 Exiles Podcast discusses County

ABOUT THE PODCAST

We’re about to start the eighth season of the 1912 Exiles podcast, and it’s grown nicely in that time. We are the original, biggest and best Newport County podcast, proudly made by the fans, for the fans. There’s a core team of six behind the pod, scattered around the country, meaning we are able to cover most of the club’s games, plus our small army of listeners are great at chipping in so we can capture other views on how the team is getting on. It’s a labour of love – it means that as well as the usual ‘noise’ of social media and messageboards, there’s a space for longer-form (and we hope articulate) analysis of where the club’s at. But we’ve also done some deep dives into other matters, speaking regularly to the club’s community arm, the supporters’ trust, as well as adopting a local team in focus each season so we shine a light on the broader football hinterland around us.

NEW COACH & EXPECTATIONS FOR 25/26

David Hughes arrived in June, having been a youth coach behind the scenes most recently at Manchester United as well as various other similar roles previously elsewhere, including Cardiff City. He is well-regarded in the game, and has spoken very well in his interviews so far, but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. He is our second consecutive gaffer cutting their teeth at Newport County, and whilst as fans we are behind the principle of picking an up-and-coming boss rather than another from the lower-league carousel, we do want to see progress. Last season saw us finish just above the Fourth Division drop zone after a season of transition – the feeling is that this year we want to see some baby steps being taken up the table, and a more coherent style of play. Throw in a cup run, and most of us will be content.

SUMMER SIGNINGS

Recent Cymru international Matt Smith was the marquee signing, and not a name we expected. Last summer saw a swathe of inexperienced 22-year-olds being granted two-year deals – and whilst some paid off, others didn’t. We badly needed experience in the squad, and in the likes of Matt Smith, Ged Garner and Nik Tzanev we seem to have found it. But Smith stands out because he also strengthens our paper-thin midfield, which was a problem area last year.

PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR?

Triallist 1, Triallist 2, Triallist 3… In all likelihood, the game at Plainmoor may well be a chance to test a few potential signings, so expect the away fans to spend much of the game doing Google Image searches. But cynicism aside, the other man who’s caught the eye in pre-season has been striker Michael Reindorf, on a season-long loan from Cardiff City. Big, strong, quick and powerful, there’s a feeling that he might be what we lacked last season up front. Time will tell, but he’s impressed so far.

AWAY FOLLOWING

Hmm… a weekend by the seaside in the school holidays, let me see…! Yes, I think it’s likely that there will be a mass decampment from southeast Wales to southwest England. Sadly, I can’t be one of them due to previously-arranged holiday plans. Ironically, last weekend I persuaded a mate to travel up from Chudleigh to see County play a pre-season game at Worcester City, when he could’ve waited a week and watched them down the road. But I’m sure the few hundred who will make the trip will thoroughly enjoy themselves down on the English Riviera.