Newport County captain Lee Jenkins asserts that the Exiles are not a “bottom of the league team” and are determined to demonstrate their potential under the guidance of new manager Christian Fuchs.
Fuchs, a former Leicester City defender, was appointed as Newport’s manager last week while the team was languishing at the bottom of the League Two table.
He will lead the team in his first home match on Saturday when Newport faces Barrow, currently in 17th place, at 15:00 GMT. Jenkins believes that a win against Barrow could ignite a turnaround in Newport’s fortunes this season.
Despite not having secured a home victory yet this term, Jenkins expressed confidence: “The boys firmly believe we can rise above our current position, and we all recognize that we are not a bottom-of-the-league team.”
“In the coming weeks, we hope to see the impact of what Christian [Fuchs] and [assistant manager] Mark Smith have introduced in training come to fruition, leading to the results we’ve been missing.”
“Securing our first home win would be monumental. I can only imagine the fans’ reaction at the final whistle if we pull it off.”
Jenkins joined Newport from Haverfordwest County in the summer, making 17 league starts, and has quickly emerged as a key leader within the squad, a role he cherishes.
“Captaining this club is a significant honor, and I felt privileged when I was appointed,” he stated. “Wearing the armband doesn’t add pressure; it’s about uniting the team and striving for results together.”
Transitioning from the Welsh league system, Jenkins acknowledges the challenges of adapting to League Two, especially given its higher intensity. “The Cymru Premier is a solid standard, but the English setup is distinctive, as everyone here is full-time,” he noted. “I’ve faced every challenge head-on.”
Though he is early in his career, Jenkins dreams of eventually representing Wales. “I’m Welsh through and through,” he affirmed. “Playing for Wales would be the ultimate achievement for me one day.”
For now, he is focused on converting their belief into results for the Exiles, concluding, “If we can secure that first win, I believe more will follow. It would be a huge boost for everyone involved—players, fans, and the entire club.”