NELSON Jardim believes Newport County AFC’s morale-boosting 2-1 win against Crewe at Rodney Parade revealed the character of his side.
The Exiles ended a three-game losing streak in League Two but upset the Railwaymen, who headed to Newport on a four-game winning run.
They hit the front in the 33rd minute when Cameron Evans slammed in a superb strike from outside the box.
Crewe levelled when substitute Adrien Thibaut scored on the counter attack but the response was swift, with Matt Baker heading in the winner after 73 minutes.
Comprehensive defeats by Port Vale, Swindon and Barrow had ramped up the pressure on head coach Jardim and his players, and they responded in style to earn the acclaim of the Amber Army.
“It was a massive win up against a very good team. Today was about us and making sure you could see improvements and that was very obvious with that the way that the boys competed,” said Jardim.
“Sometimes we have got a bit of criticism but everyone could see we are a good group with good characters. I am proud of them.”
“We are looking to build every day and sometimes things don’t go your way, there are ups and downs," he continued.
“We went through a difficult period with injuries and red cards but we have shown character at this club. Now we are looking to improve.
“We can’t promise that we will win every game but we can promise to give everything we have got – staff, players, everyone – to make sure we can at least compete and try.
“I was always sure about the group that I have got, their character and the hard work that they are putting in.
“You’ve sometimes just have to focus on what you do, which is to coach and make sure everyone is clear about our direction and objectives.
“The fans can see that and I am sure they can accept that you can have a bad day, the way that you overcome those periods shows what type of group and people you have around you.”
County were hit by a Crewe sucker punch when Thibaut scored just seconds after Bobby Kamwa hit the inside of the right post, with the ball rolling along the visitors’ line.
“Football can be ruthless," said Jardim. When you see that ball hitting the post and rolling all the way across the line, then straight after that they score, and you think ‘Oh, Jesus’.
“But this is why we love football, we had to be brave and stand up again, fight again. We were happy to get the goal straight after.
“The last 10, 15 minutes was about spirit, energy, fight, desire to win every ball and make sure we got the win with the help of the supporters.”
County have a swift turnaround to a home game on Tuesday against Salford, who drew 0-0 at Tranmere on Friday.
Captain Aaron Wildig was suffered a back spasm and came off but Jardim is hopeful he will be fit to face the Ammies.
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