Exiles Busy In The Window - But Will It Be Enough?

Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, James Crole, Harrison Biggins and Ryan Delaney have joined Newport in January [FAW & Huw Evans Agency]

In the little over two weeks since the January transfer window opened, Christian Fuchs' Newport County have brought in four new players.

When Fuchs took over at Rodney Parade in November the Exiles were bottom of League Two and, aside from a 15-day stint in 23rd, they have remained there.

Former Premier League winner Fuchs arrived knowing there was a considerable challenge ahead, with Newport not having won a home league game since March, a streak that was broken against Crewe on 29 December.

Though Fuchs believes his team are improving, Newport find themselves two points from safety at the bottom of League Two with 22 games to play.

As a result, the question for County fans is whether the January changes will be enough to ensure their team can pull off another great escape from relegation.

Where do Newport need to improve? The simple answer to that question is everywhere.

Newport have conceded 43 league goals so far this season. Only two teams in the division - Crawley Town (45) and Bristol Rovers (44).

But the problems do not end at the back, with Newport's tally of 24 league goals scored the fourth lowest in the fourth tier.

Can Crole add required firepower?

With top scorer Courtney Baker-Richardson out injured, the Exiles have looked to the Cymru Premier for additional firepower, signing Penybont's James Crole on a permanent deal this week.

The 21-year-old was the joint leading scorer in the Cymru Premier last season with 16 goals, and has scored a further 11 goals in this campaign.

Goals have been hard to come by for Baker-Richardson, who has found the net only four times in his 20 league appearances this season. Crole will be hoping he can be more prolific than the former Swansea striker.

Crole has become the eighth player in five years to join Newport from the Cymru Premier, following the likes of Lee Jenkins, Keenan Patten and Kai Whitmore.

"I think the Welsh league develops players quite well to take that kind of step," Crole said.

"There'll be a big step up for a couple of weeks but once I get used to everything, I think I should be OK."

Fuchs says Crole's physical presence made him stand out.

"What set him apart was that he's physical, he's played against senior players and he put them on the floor, which I was impressed by," he said.

"He knows where the goal is. He's a no-nonsense striker - when he has a chance, he goes for it."

Nyakuhwa to increase creativity?

Newport are ranked 22nd in League Two in big chances created this season and 23rd in accurate crosses per game.

The hope is that the loan signing of young Cardiff City winger Tanatswa Nyakuhwa - who describes himself as "direct" and "tricky" - should improve County's output.

Nyakuhwa, 20, made his league debut for the Bluebirds on the final day of the 2024-25 season and has gone on to make a further eight senior appearances under Brian Barry-Murphy this season.

"I wanted to play more than I did," the Newport native said. "I'm happy to get this opportunity now.

"I think the biggest attraction to this club is the opportunity to play games."

Nyakuhwa is no stranger to scoring at Rodney Parade, having netted within 30 seconds there on his Wales Under-21 debut in September.

He has impressed Fuchs in the short time he has been at Rodney Parade.

"When I asked him 'what do you think is your super strength?', he said 'scoring goals and assists'," Fuchs said.

"The flair he has with the ball, he can be a threat, he can be really good for us for the end of the season."

Duo offer much-needed experience

As well as the two young Welshmen, County have brought in two experienced EFL players on loan.

Former Newport captain Ryan Delaney has returned from Swindon Town while midfielder Harrison Biggins has signed from Shrewsbury Town.

County have the youngest average age in League Two (24.2) this season.

Delaney and Biggins, two 29-year-olds with more than 400 combined EFL appearances to their names, will bring much-needed experience into the squad.

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Delaney has struggled for game-time at promotion-chasing Swindon this season, playing only nine minutes in the league having featured 21 times for the Robins last season.

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 defender will be hoping to recapture his previous form at Newport, where he played 41 games in 2023-24.

"With Ryan, we have somebody in the back that is very vocal, that has a history with the club already," Fuchs said.

"That's exactly what we need, somebody that can just organise the team and manage the team from behind."

Biggins has joined from a relegation rival Shrewsbury with Fuchs hoping he will be a leader in a midfield unit hit by the departure of Sammy Braybrooke after his successful loan from Leicester.

"I like my players to have a voice and to have an opinion and to share ideas and not be shy doing so," Fuchs added.

"He (Biggins) was one that is not shy, that has an educated opinion and that wants to be a leader."

Biggins spent time on loan at Carlisle - who ended up getting relegated - last season and made nine appearances for the Shrews this season.

Another new face on the way?

Fuchs said on Thursday that Newport are working on a fifth signing that is unlikely to be completed in time for Saturday's game at Gillingham.

The ex-Leicester player reckons the business done already has given his squad "really good depth".

"We just looked at the squad overall and I think we have good balance. In terms of the team right now, I'm pretty satisfied," he added.

While Fuchs is content, the jury is out on whether the new faces - combined with those players already on the books - will have enough to pull Newport clear of relegation danger.

But at first glance, the mix of youth and experience - and the fact that new faces have arrived from defence all the way to attack - offers hope over County's chances.