Newport County Manager Calls for Patience as Transfer Deadline Approaches
Newport County manager Hayden Mullins has requested patience as the team seeks to bolster its squad ahead of the impending transfer deadline. The 47-year-old acknowledged that he wished to finalize remaining transactions sooner, but noted that circumstances concerning potential signings have delayed progress.
So far this summer, Newport has completed 11 signings, with the latest being midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias, who joined on loan from Fulham. Despite these additions, Mullins indicated that more reinforcements could come before the transfer window closes on Tuesday, 1 September at 23:00 BST.
“We are looking to try and do something. We’re still looking. Hopefully, we can get those through and over the line,” Mullins stated. He explained that the players under consideration are currently engaged in their own commitments, which necessitates some patience on his part.
“The group are in a good place, so it’s nothing I’m looking for immediately to go into the group. It’s just the strength that we need and the depth and the competition around the group that we need to try and get in,” he added.
While Newport explores potential signings, Mullins emphasized that he does not anticipate any player departures before the window closes. “Everyone in the building at the moment is part of the plan, so I’ve got no immediate plans to do anything there,” he confirmed. “It’s a long season so we’re going to need bodies. For the meantime, I think we’re settled.”
Looking ahead, Newport will host Tranmere Rovers at Rodney Parade on Saturday at 15:00 BST, followed by a trip to Salford City on transfer deadline day. With an intense fixture schedule on the horizon, Mullins recognized that squad rotation may soon become essential, having named the same lineup in all three competitive matches this season.
“We’re mindful that we’re potentially going to have to make changes. The squad is there for a reason, and we will use it,” he said, acknowledging the contributions of his substitutes during matches.
Although dealing with injuries to Jed Garner and James Crole, Mullins indicated that strengthening the striker position is not currently a priority. However, he did not dismiss the possibility of bringing in a winger to allow Shaquille Gwengwe to return to his preferred forward role.
“Shaq Gwengwe can fill that role; we’ve got Christian Doidgie, Jed Garner, Cole Jarvis did it on Saturday and helped, and we’ve still got James Crole who is out injured. We’re hoping Crole will be back in the coming weeks. I think the group is in a good place. It’s got strong competition at the moment. We just need to add in a few areas of the pitch where we feel a little bit light.”
Newport County manager Hayden Mullins has urged patience as the Exiles work to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.
The 47-year-old admitted he would have liked the remaining business to be done sooner, but says circumstances around prospective signings have slowed progress.
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Newport have already made 11 signings this summer, most recently landing midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias on loan from Fulham
But former Fulham under-21 boss Mullins has indicated further recruits remain a possibility before the deadline on Tuesday, 1 September at 23:00 BST.
“We are looking to try and do something. We’re still looking. Hopefully we can get those through and over the line,” said Mullins.
“The players we’re looking at are involved in their own games as well, so I have to be a little bit patient.
“The group are in a good place, so it’s nothing I’m looking for immediately to go into the group.
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“It’s just the strength that we need and the depth and the competition around the group that we need to try and get in.”
While Newport continue to explore the market, the County boss stressed he is not expecting any departures before the window closes.
“Everyone in the building at the moment is part of the plan, so I’ve got no immediate plans to do anything there,” he said.
“It’s a long season so we’re going to need bodies. For the meantime, I think we’re settled.”
Newport host Tranmere Rovers at Rodney Parade on Saturday (15:00 BST) before travelling to Salford City on transfer deadline day.
[Huw Evans Picture Agency]
With fixtures coming thick and fast, Mullins acknowledged rotation may soon become necessary after naming the same lineup in all three competitive matches this season.
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“We’re mindful that we’re potentially going to have to make changes. The squad is there for a reason, and we will use it,” he said.
Mullins pointed to the impact of his substitutes against Bristol Rovers, with Alfie Merritt providing an assist and Cole Jarvis scoring Newport’s late consolation goal.
“All the boys who came on added to the performance,” he added.
Despite injuries to Jed Garner and James Crole, Mullins suggested striker is not an area he is currently looking to strengthen.
A move to sign a winger, which would allow Shaquille Gwengwe (pictured above) to move back to his preferred position up front, could not be ruled out.
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“Shaq Gwengwe can fill that role; we’ve got Christian Doidgie, Jed Garner, Cole Jarvis did it on Saturday and helped, and we’ve still got James Crole who is out injured,” said Mullins.
“We’re hoping Croley will be back in the coming weeks.
“I think the group is in a good place. It’s got strong competition at the moment. We just need to add in a few areas of the pitch where we feel a little bit light.”
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