NELSON Jardim is happy that Newport County AFC’s problems are in defence rather than attack, declaring that it’s easier to ‘destroy’ their mistakes at the back than make them creative.

The Exiles have made a promising start to the League Two campaign after a summer of change in which head coach Jardim replaced manager Graham Coughlan and 17 new signings arrived.

They are tenth in the table with 15 points from 10 games, nine points clear of the relegation zone early in the season.

County are ranked fifth for goals per match (1.6) but 23rd for goals conceded (2.0); they are 13th for expected goals (10.7) – and third for big chances created (26) – but are 22nd for expected goals conceded (16.2).

Their defensive issues have been impacted by availability issues with injuries, suspensions and Matt Baker’s Wales Under-21s call-ups.

At Harrogate this afternoon they will field a ninth different defence in their 11th fixture and the hope is that they can be more solid at the back while the attack-minded players continue to carve out opportunities.

DEJECTED: Nick Townsend after County conceded the second goal in the loss at BarrowDEJECTED: Nick Townsend after County conceded the second goal in the loss at Barrow (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

Jardim said: “You can’t have the best of both worlds! If we had conceded fewer goals then we would be in an even better position but for the first quarter of the season we have won five and lost five, we are four points away from the top.

“We can only be proud of what we have done so far taking into account all the changes with all the players and myself coming in.

“If that is the one detail that is not quite right then I am happy, especially when you want to bring an attacking style of play in.

“We know what we have to improve, we have to be more compact and more detailed about little things.

“I always felt it was easier to improve defensively than attacking – to destroy is easier than build something positive.”

Their season was summed up by Monday’s display at Bradford when they trailed 1-0 at the break but then deservedly levelled through Kyle Hudlin’s header after a bout of pressure.

A pair of late Bantams goals meant that their first trip to Yorkshire of the week was pointless.

“We were frustrated not to get something from that game but we just have to look at the amount of goalscoring chances we created and the way that we played,” said Jardim.

We were against one of the biggest clubs in the league with huge expectations and in front of a big crowd, so we have to be proud and positive about how we played.”

County will be forced into a change at full-back with Anthony Glennon suspended after picking up his fifth booking in 10 games.

Co-captain James Clarke looks set to return at the heart of the defence with Jardim having to rejig his line-up in the absence of a specialist left-back.

League Two fixtures: Chesterfield v Notts County (12.30pm), AFC Wimbledon v Carlisle, Barrow v Morecambe, Cheltenham v Swindon, Doncaster v Crewe, Gillingham v Accrington, Harrogate v Newport County, Milton Keynes Dons v Port Vale, Salford v Grimsby, Tranmere v Bradford.