Hayden Mullins made 128 appearances for Portsmouth, scoring three goals. [Huw Evans Picture Agency] For the 14th consecutive season, Newport County are preparing for the beginning of a League Two campaign. Under the leadership of former Premier League winner Christian Fuchs, the Exiles narrowly avoided relegation after a dramatic 2-1 win away at Barrow on the final day of last season. Many hoped this would spark a period of much-needed stability for the club, until the former Austrian international's shock resignation just two days before the squad returned to training - forcing them to start all over again. Former Fulham U21's boss Hayden Mullins was chosen as Fuchs' successor as County look to avoid being dragged into yet another relegation scrap. Their campaign gets under way as they welcome Rochdale to Rodney Parade on Saturday, 15 August (12:30 BST).
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Early signs of promise Yahya Bamba has signed from non-league Forest Green Rovers [Huw Evans Picture Agency] The early readings bode well for Exiles supporters. in his first competitive game Mullins' side pushed League One opponents AFC Wimbledon all the way in their Carabao Cup first round clash - agonisingly losing 5-4 on penalties after conceding an equaliser deep into added time. And the former Crystal Palace and West Ham United midfielder was encouraged by what he saw. "The initial feeling felt like a defeat, conceding so late into the game, it was a draw over the 98-99 minutes. But when we sit down and have a look at the game and review it, there were so many positives," Mullins said. "We know that, obviously, our league will be a tough league, and a tough campaign. There's a lot of things I saw Saturday which we need to take out and take into our league campaign. "There's a few bits that we need to leave behind. We're not the finished article, but like I say, we pushed a good League One side the whole way on Saturday. They had to be at their limit to beat us." Some of County's signings are also starting to make their mark in South Wales. Yahya Bamba announced himself on the scene with spectacular long-range strike to open the scoring against the Dons - and Bournemouth loanee Alfie Merritt drew praise on social media for his performance against Italian giants Roma. The Newport boss has urged for patience with youngster Merritt as he settles into life in South Wales. "There's loads of bits that I can see in Alfie's game which could potentially help us this season. We know he's a young player. There's going to be times we're going to have to be patient with him. "We're here to try and help him and try and help his game. We know we're in the results business and Alfie knows that he's got to be ready for Saturday if his chance comes." The possibility of further recruitment has also not been ruled out by the head coach. "There are bits that we are trying to do. Whether they entirely all come off, no-one knows," Mullins added. "There are a lot of clubs trying to do business now. We're no different. Some targets you go for, two or three clubs are in for the same player. "We just have to be quite cute and quite shrewd in what we're doing and try and get the targets that we're after, I'm sure there will be incomings." Problems at home again? During the 2025-26 season Newport had the fourth worst home record in the league. [Huw Evans Picture Agency] The first task for Newport is the visit of newly promoted Rochdale on Saturday. But they will have their work cut out for them. The Dale finished second in last season's National League, amassing a whopping 106 points before defeating Boreham Wood in the play-off final. If they are to avoid another relegation battle, the Exiles will also have to address last season's woeful home record which saw them win just five league games all season. Mullins expressed his desire to turn Rodney Parade into a difficult place for opponents. "We spoke as a group about what we want to try and do this season, how we're going to affect opposition and teams that come to Rodney Parade. It can't be an easy game," he said. "It's got to be a tough game. That's what we're going to be setting up to do. "We know most weekends, it'll be tough. We won't always get the result we want. There might be things that go against us, but I think as long as the fans can see what we're trying to do, I'm sure they'll be with us." As they bid to turn their home fortunes around, the Exiles will be looking to go one better than last season, when they were held to an opening-day draw by Notts County, The new boss is relishing the prospect of his first competitive home game and has called on the County faithful to get behind his side on Saturday. "I can't wait to get going," enthused Mullins. "My hunger is to try to deliver for the fans and get results at home. I know it would be a big plus point. "We need them on our side. We need the fans to turn up and help the lads try to get all three points. We need to hear them. "I'm sure we'll give them things on the pitch to feed off. We know we need to bring energy and excitement, and the fans will come with us." How far can they go? County finished last season in 20th place with 43 points [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Greater stability will be the priority for County this year after last season's dramatic, yet difficult campaign. Chairman Huw Jenkins will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last season's failed gamble on former Manchester United professional development phase coach Dave Hughes, who was sacked after just 16 games with Newport sitting bottom of League Two. Jenkins has since put his faith in the former Fulham U21's head coach, who believes the club is a right fit for him. "I spoke to Huw and the direction in which he wants to go in the future and all the infrastructure that we're speaking about. It was definitely the right fit at the right time," said Mullins. "I'd been at Fulham for three years and I think I'd given them as much as I could have given them at the time and I was ready to go back into first team." So just how far can Newport go under the leadership of Mullins? "We are trying to take it as far as we can. I think there's a lot of stuff that's going on in the background which is really good," said Mullins "It's something that I definitely want to be part of. I think the vision is obviously trying to make Newport strong as we can. "We're going to push, push and push as much as we can to be as effective as we can every weekend. Where that takes us, if we're positive enough, should be in the right half of the table."