NELSON Jardim believes his Newport County AFC side are starting to gel after their 3-1 win against Salford.
The Exiles backed up their 2-1 win against Crewe with a first League Two success against the Ammies.
They led 2-0 at the break thanks to a Kyle Hudlin header in the 10th minute and a team move that was finished off crisply by captain Aaron Wildig in the 26th minute.
Michael Spellman secured the win with his first touch in the 67th minute before Cole Stockton scored what turned out to be merely a consolation for Salford with nine to go.
County had a tricky spell of three defeats on the spin but now they have taken 15 points from nine fixtures to make it a promising start to life under Jardim.
“It was a great game and I was chuffed for the fans, they were our 12th man and pushed us when we needed it,” said the head coach, who replaced Graham Coughlan in the summer.
“We had a bit of a dip a few weeks ago when red cards and injuries didn’t help but we are looking to make sure we keep improving and be consistent.
“We don’t expect to win every game but we expect to compete to win every game.
“We are now seeing the quality of the players and a little bit of what my coaching staff is putting in to develop our style.
“That will take time and there will be ups and downs, but you can’t build a style without winning. These wins give us more comfort to develop that side of the game.
“The players are getting to know the way that their teammates think, their strengths and weaknesses.
“That develops in training but they play together, fight together, are committed, focused and have energy.”
Hudlin scored the opener and had a fine all-round game after getting the nod as a starter ahead of Courtney Baker-Richardson.
The towering striker was brought in on loan from Huddersfield on deadline day after summer signing Hamzad Kargbo suffered a dislocated shoulder at Cheltenham on the opening weekend of the season.
“As soon as we lost Hamzad in the first game we felt that we needed someone like Kyle to cover different aspects of the game,” said Jardim.
“He is a good character and, as he showed against Salford, also a good footballer.”
County are not in action until Monday when they travel to Bradford for a televised fixture.
Skipper Wildig should be fine to lead them against the Bantams after being brought off 10 minutes into the second half.
The midfielder suffered a back spasm against Crewe and was brought off as a precaution.
“He is our captain and one of our main players. He has played every game since pre-season and is one of those players who pushes himself even when he is feeling pain,” said Jardim.
“Sometimes it has to be us telling him to relax and have a rest, so that substitution was us making sure he doesn’t get injured.”
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