By Matt Chedgzoy
Newport County paid “a big price” by conceding in the opening minute of their 0-3 home defeat to Chesterfield on Friday night, according to manager Nelson Jardim.
Defeat at Rodney Parade signalled a third-consecutive loss for the Exiles, who made the worst possible start to the game when Dilan Markanday capitalised on a defensive mix-up to give the visitors the lead inside the first minute.
A second half brace from substitute Will Grigg completed victory for the Spireites but Jardim believed that his side’s confidence had been knocked from the start:
“It wasn’t a good start. I think it lost us a little bit of confidence and we didn’t quite find the right passes in the first half,” he said.
“I think the boys tried, they did their best, but obviously when you commit little mistakes you pay a big price. I guess that is what happened today.”
County’s fortunes could have changed in the 72nd minute, when Chesterfield goalkeeper Max Thompson appeared to carry a looping corner kick over his line. Newport’s appeals for a goal were waved away by the officials and Jardim believes that it was something of a sliding doors moment for his team.
“I think it was a clear goal. We will have to assess it better but everyone is telling me that it was a goal – the players and some of the staff as well.
“If we could have scored in that moment, we were on top of the game, we would have had more energy to score a second. We didn’t and I think we paid a big but unfair price for that.”
Chesterfield would go on to score twice in the final minutes of the game, both times through Northern Irish cult hero Will Grigg. It means that Newport have now conceded 24 goals in the league this season, more than any other team in the division.
Jardim was willing to shoulder the blame for his side’s defensive display.
“We started the season by changing shape and using the players we had available but now is the time to assess and see the game again.”, he explained.
“Moving forward we need to see what’s best. The players take their responsibility onto the training ground. They’re big men now.
“I will take the blame that I have to and try to help the players as best as I can.”
To add to County’s misery, substitute Noah Mawene had to be taken off after just eight minutes on the pitch with what looked to be a hamstring problem. Jardim hopes that the on-loan Preston North End youngster will be in contention for the trip to Gillingham on Tuesday night.
“Noah had to leave the game, so we’ll have to assess him but I don’t think that will be too bad.
“He’s been fatigued, this level is a little bit different to the U21 level. The intensity is higher but he’s been playing well for us. We’ll just have to assess.”
Gillingham, like Newport, have lost their last three games in a row. Despite this, they remain 5th in the League Two table and Jardim is well aware of the threat they will pose to his side.
“We had knew that this month would be hard.”, he admitted,
“They are tough opposition and it will be a challenge but what I see in the dressing room is a willingness to bounce back, so it’s going to be all about bouncing back on Tuesday.”
County hold a strong record against the Gills, winning all four League Two games against them in the last two seasons.
The Exiles will be particularly keen to return to south Wales with a result, as sides around them in the table possess games-in-hand.