THERE have been no rest days for Newport County AFC this week as they take their ‘first step’ with a new style that will be put to the test by one of League Two’s fancied teams.

The Exiles host Doncaster Rovers this afternoon after a frustrating start to the season on the road.

Nelson Jardim’s first game at the helm looked set to end in a draw only for Cheltenham to strike in the 96th minute to steal a 3-2 win.

The performance at Whaddon Road was encouraging but the same couldn’t be said at Leyton Orient on Tuesday night when beaten 4-1 in the first round of the Carabao Cup, with a number of players failing to take their opportunities after six changes to the XI.

County are at the start of a new era under Jardim, who is charged with developing a new playing style with a much-changed and young squad.

That has led to the Exiles, in agreement between staff and players, being in every day this week.

They prepared for Orient on Monday, played on Tuesday, had a debrief on Wednesday with work continuing on Thursday and Friday for a tough assignment against a Doncaster side who have won 13 of their last 15 games.

Patience, of which there is little in modern football, is needed for County’s new methods but Jardim recognises they need to tighten up after a sloppy start to the campaign in defence.

WATCHING: Nelson Jardim as County warm up at OrientWATCHING: Nelson Jardim as County warm up at Orient (Image: Juan Gasparini/Huw Evans Agency)

“You can see clearly that there is a new style being implemented here and we are still in a transitional period,” he said.

“We have had more of the ball but we have been working on the ugly side of the game, stopping conceding goals and getting the basics right.

“After a meeting on Wednesday we could all see what is wrong and we have been working on it, the players are determined to improve on that side of the game.

“You have to be flexible and make sure that whatever shape you go with, you get the basics right.”

After finishing last season with eight straight defeats under manager Graham Coughlan, County could do with some positive results to settle nerves and there are big games against Accrington and Morecambe on the horizon.

However, the panic button won’t be hit and owner Huw Jenkins won’t make a sudden change of direction from the style that worked when he was at Swansea.

“It’s difficult and takes time, you see that with other teams. There is always a first step and that has been taken with the way that we have selected the players,” said Jardim.

“We have a young squad and that is the first step – we can work with them, improve and see the style grow with them.

“We are in the early stages but you can see that change from the stats and the way that the team is trying to play, but there is still a lot more to do.

“We are all buying into it and that has been clear, but it’s all about time and making sure we see improvements every day and every game.

“When I spoke about having a comfortable position in the table, that allows you to carry on improving and developing the style, which will bring good results.”

WATCHING: Nelson Jardim as County warm up at OrientWATCHING: Nelson Jardim as County warm up at Orient (Image: Richard Sellers)

Doncaster charged up the League Two table with a remarkable run at the end of last season to finish fifth.

Rovers’ only defeat in their last 15 games was a costly one – a defeat to Crewe that was followed by a penalty shoot-out loss – but they have shown their quality in the first week of the season.

They thumped Accrington 4-1 in Yorkshire on opening afternoon and then beat Salford 2-0 in the League Cup to earn a trip to Premier League Everton, a fixture that will attract a bumper crowd in the Goodison Park farewell season.

“They are a very good team but we have prepared well. Doncaster will be difficult and tough but that’s a good challenge for us – if we can beat them then the energy will be even better,” said Jardim.

“We expect a very tough game but I know the boys are determined to give that performance and win for the fans.”

League Two fixtures: Bromley v AFC Wimbledon, Carlisle v Barrow (both 12.30pm), Accrington v Harrogate, Bradford v Salford, Colchester v MK Dons, Crewe v Chesterfield, Grimsby v Cheltenham, Morecambe v Gillingham, Newport County v Doncaster, Port Vale v Tranmere, Swindon v Walsall (Sunday: Notts County v Fleetwood).