Jardim Stresses ‘Ruthlessness’ to Newport County Players for Trophy Match

Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim has conveyed to the players he selects for Tuesday’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy game at Reading that they must be “ruthless”. Jardim might provide an opportunity for certain fringe players within his squad to make an impression during this fixture, which will see the victorious team progress to a regionalized round of 32. He stated: “In football it is ruthless, they know that, they have to take that chance.” He continued: “They have to show, especially in these games, they are up to it, they are at it every time they play, they are committed and focused and they have that enthusiasm and energy.” He added: “When you lose that you are going to suffer. You need that and they have to show that again and again.” It is anticipated that Jardim will make changes to his lineup after the 2-1 League Two loss to Tranmere Rovers last Saturday. The upcoming match could present defender Shane McLoughlin with his initial start since he was forced off the field due to injury almost two months prior, during the 4-1 League Two home defeat against Port Vale. Following his recovery from a knee injury, McLoughlin has gradually reintegrated into play through two appearances as a substitute. Newport currently occupies the third position in Southern Group H, having experienced a 2-1 home loss to Cheltenham Town – a game where young goalkeeper Jacob Carney received a red card – and secured a 1-0 victory against West Ham United Under-21s. Cheltenham has secured its spot in the last 32 by winning all three of its matches, thereby leading the group. However, the team finishing second also advances, and Newport is tied on points with their opponents, Reading, though they possess a worse goal difference. Jardim commented: “We want to go through. The first game saw one of the best first halves we have had. “Then we had the sending-off of Jacob that changed the game and obviously put us in the position where we have to go there now and win the game. But we want to win and go as far as possible in this competition.” Carney is once more eligible to play following his red card in the Cheltenham match, and Jardim will also have his primary goalkeeper, Nick Townsend, at his disposal, as Townsend declined international commitments for Antigua and Barbuda this week to stay with the club.