, A new era at Rodney Parade: An update on Newport  County’s busy summer.

A new era at Rodney Parade: An update on Newport County’s busy summer.

When Terry Butcher became manager of Newport County a ring of freshness surrounded Rodney Parade. As Jimmy Dack left County fans expected Butcher to build upon their good season in League Two; but suddenly a summer of confusion, worry and fear has lept into the minds of supporters.

It’s seemed like a very odd time at Rodney Parade, with a whole host of names exiting the side. Players such as Lee Minshull, Aaron O’Connor and Ismail Yakubu left many fans stunned, but mixed emotions of optimism and fear spread to fans. It’s clear that no fan wants to see the back of a whole team, yet Butcher’s ambitions have slightly silenced any worry around the club. Fans expected a summer of signings and the names started to come: Scott Barrow and Rhys Thomas were pleasing followed by Lenell John-Lewis who has attracted a lot of plaudits.

But as this trio of players join the club, what happens behind the scenes is starting to worry supporters. Staff are leaving, making Butcher’s shopping list for both staff and players a lot longer. However many expected Butcher to bring in a new set of staff.

Finally the fixtures were released last Wednesday and for most this is the time where fans start to get about the prospects of trips all over the country. Yet for a lot of fans the ongoing concern is starting to mount, a lack of players and staff and of course the friendlies coming ever closer. Despite another strong signing in the face of Alex Rodman, fans were to hear another twist in the tale.

If Newport hadn’t seemed a lonely team just quite yet, chairman Les Scadding stepped down leaving the club without any other form of investment. This coming at a point where manager Butcher slashes transfer rumours, arguing the club can’t “afford” either Alan Tate or Danny Gabbidon. So what? Well Newport County have a squad of 13 (2 of which are goalkeepers, 4 are under 20), no chairman and few backroom staff. With only 1 week before the start of training 2 weeks before their first friendly game, concern lingers for the future of Newport County.

It’s a restless time for everyone involved in the club, we are all just waiting for the news to break and things to shift into gear. Plus County are a small club, in fact one of the smallest in the League, with a tight budget there are no surprises as our relegation odds being as low as 3/1 and that was as high as 8/1 a fortnight ago. It’s a fact, we are one of the favourites to go down, but that doesn’t by any account mean it will happen.

Is there a need to be worried? No not at all, the club are obviously signing players with much caution in order to stick to a healthy budget yet also the fact that it is taking such a long time to bring in faces means there is a serious amount of work in order to find the right players to suit the style, tactics and current squad. As for backroom staff and chairman, it takes time and eventually it will all fall into place.

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