Exiles eye another change in fortunes - but Mariners travel well

Newport County have reached the 20-game mark in all competitions under the guidance of head coach Nelson Jardim.

Remarkably, only one of those games has ended in a draw.

It has usually been a case of all or nothing for Newport this season, whose undulating form continues ahead of Saturday's home League Two fixture with Grimsby Town.

Jardim must hope that not for the first time this season, Newport can find a way to turn their fortunes around.

The Jardim era began with successive defeats in August, before the Exiles responded with three straight wins.

Three more losses followed before a run of three wins in four, then came three more defeats.

Next Newport delivered victory at Gillingham and followed that with the one draw under Jardim thus far, at home to Fleetwood Town at the end of October.

Since then, cup losses against two sides from League One, Peterborough United and Reading, have come either side of a disappointing league reverse at Tranmere Rovers last weekend.

Newport have not gone four games without winning all season, so Jardim's players may feel they are due a maximum when Grimsby come to Wales.

David Artell's side will not arrive in great form, having won only one of their last five in all competitions.

Having said that, Grimsby's recent record on the road in the fourth tier is excellent.

After losing their first three away league games of the season, the Mariners have racked up five successive victories on their travels.

As a result, only leaders Port Vale have taken more away League Two points in 2024-25.

Nothing is likely to come easy, therefore, as Newport look to halt their latest losing sequence.