NELSON Jardim made a risky comment in the aftermath of Newport County AFC’s 4-1 defeat to Port Vale in League Two on September 7.
After the Exiles had imploded when already three goals behind, the boss said: “It was a bad day at the office. I would rather lose one game 4-1 than four in a row.”
Take the EFL Trophy win against West Ham Under-21s out of it and County are in danger of doing just that.
An embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Swindon and comprehensive 2-0 loss at a Barrow side likely to be contenders has ramped up the pressure ahead of quickfire home fixtures against Crewe on Saturday afternoon and Salford on Tuesday night.
County have underperformed in September but must see this as a chance to change the mood and ensure it remains a steady start to a new era.
They still have availability issues and dramatic changes are unlikely for the game against the Railwaymen but hopefully captain and midfielder Aaron Wildig will get the green light to return from a concussion suffered at Swindon.
Jardim played two up front in Cumbria after giving towering loanee Kyle Hudlin a first League Two start but could return to a 4-5-1.
Centre-back Ciaran Brennan serves the final game of his three-match suspension against Crewe while defender James Clarke, midfielder Kai Whitmore and winger Michael Spellman are the players closest to returns from injury.
It could be a Saturday when teams are haunted by an ex with County legend Mickey Demetriou, who scored a double at Gresty Road last season, returning to Newport while Exiles striker Courtney Baker-Richardson will look to get back on the goal trail against the side he left in the summer.
Omar Bogle went the other way but hasn’t featured since the start of September.
Possible team: Townsend, C Evans, Baker, Jameson, Glennon, Morris, Wildig (captain), Kamwa, K Evans, Greaves, Baker-Richardson.
THE OPPOSITION
Crewe, play-off finalists in May, started the season shakily but head to Rodney Parade hunting a fifth straight win.
Lee Bell's men have beaten Bromley, Morecambe, Accrington and Harrogate - teams likely to be in the Exiles' 'mini league'.
Demetriou & Co travel to Newport looking for a fourth clean sheet on the spin.
COUNTY STATS
Leading scorer: Aaron Wildig (3).
Most assists: Antony Glennon, Cameron Antwi, Courtney Baker-Richardson all on one.
League position: 14th.
Form guide: WWWLLL.
CREWE STATS
Leading scorer: Kane Hemmings (3).
Most assists: Jack Lankester (2).
League position: 7th.
Form guide: LDWWWW
MATCH ODDS
County 11/5, draw 9/4, Crewe 21/20.
LAST TIME
Last season's fixture in Newport ended 1-1 after Will Evans cancelled out Chris Long's goal in a rather drab game to end 2023 in the hectic festive period.
Crewe won 4-2 at Gresty Road at the start of the campaign thanks to goals by Demetriou (2), Chris Long and Elliott Nevitt. Will Evans and Harry Charsley scored for County, who lost Kyle Jameson to injury.
LEAGUE TWO FIXTURES
Friday - Tranmere v Salford; Saturday - Harrogate v Bradford, Walsall v Colchester (both 12.30pm), Bromley v MK Dons, Carlisle v Grimsby, Cheltenham v Fleetwood, Doncaster v Chesterfield, Gillingham v Barrow, Morecambe v Notts County, Newport County v Crewe, Port Vale v Swindon (AFC Wimbledon v Accrington postponed).
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