Newport County are glad to see the back of 2016 – but have started 2017 by making two new signings to boost the fight against relegation out of the football league.
They have headed into the New Year five points adrift at the foot of League Two and facing a massive test of character over the next few months following a 4-1 home defeat against Exeter City.
Three of County’s next four fixtures are away including Bank Holiday Monday’s trio to Wycombe Wanderers (3pm).
Newport then head to Stevenage on Saturday, January 7, entertain Colchester United a week later and then head to Barnet on Saturday, January 21.
Manager Graham Westley, though, has moved quickly now that the transfer window has opened and has signed two players who are available for the game at Wycombe.
Striker Aaron Williams, 23, has joined on an 18-mont deal from Peterborough.
And forward Jaanai Gordon, 21, has made the switch from West Ham United on a season long loan deal.
Westley said: “My main priority in this window is to strengthen our back four and defensive midfield options.
“It is obvious that we need to be better at both ends of the pitch and we all know that Rhys Healey is off back to Cardiff.
“Jaanai is a player with the potential to change games. It is a good start to building a momentum and winning team in the second half of the season.”
“Bringing in Aaron will increase our work ethic and thrust as a team.”
County also badly need to shore up a defence conceding far too many goals.
They were opened up far too easily in their clash with Exeter and the goals against tally over he last six games is 17.
Newport supporters are fed up seeing their team struggle at the foot of the table and there were boos directed at the team and individuals during he second half.
Sean Rigg scored Newport’s goal, but that was scant consolation after a desperately poor performance played on a dreadful Rodney Parade playing surface.
There is so much pressure at home thanks to the pitch and unhappy fans it could be that County will enjoy setting off on their travels./
Three goals conceded in less than 15 minutes either side of half-time left Westley’s men down and out.
Ollie Watkins fired a hat-trick for Exeter with David Wheeler also join target.
Newport abandoned their three-man central defensive unit after a dismal collapse against Portsmouth at home in a 3-2 defeat, setting up 4-4-2 with a diamond formation through midfield.
Mark Randall and Marlon Jackson were called in, while Darren Jones and Ton Owen-Evans were left out.
Before half-time Newport were full of spirit and enterprise, but confidence is low and once they experienced a setback their situation went from bad to worse.
Rhys Healey, making his last appearance for the Exiles before returning to parent club Cardiff City, and Josh Sheehan were Newport’s best hopes of upsetting Exeter, while man of the match Randall did an excellent job through midfield.
But the home team could not maintain their challenge and fell 3-0 behind.
The loss of Ben Tozer was a major blow. He did not return after half-time and his absence took out a solid layer of cover in front of the back four.
Scott Bennett also went off and County had to reshuffle their back four with Dennison Myrie-Williams and Abdoulaye Meite linking up through the middle.
Newport have to find a way of stopping the flow of goals going past keeper Joe Day. If they fail to get things right at the back the Exiles face dropping out of the Football League.
There is still hope, there is still time, but Westley and his players must step things up – and fast.
County: Day; Barnum-Bobb, Meite, Bennett (O’Hanlon 68), Myrie-Williams; Randall, Tozer (Compton 46), Sheehan, Rigg; Healey, Jackson (Green 63). Subs not used: Bittner, Bignot, Butler, Owen-Evans
Referee: Darren Deadman
Attendance: 2,663 (500 Exeter)