NEWPORT County AFC boss Nelson Jardim has reiterated ‘there is no Plan B’ as they attempt to respond to their aerial bombardment at Bromley by stunning League Two leaders Walsall.
The Exiles suffered a 5-2 defeat at Hayes Lane on Boxing Day after going 3-0 down to goals from corners.
A headed fourth was followed by a late rally with goals by Kieron Evans and Kai Whitmore before Bromley deservedly had the final say with a curled free-kick.
County travelled to London buoyed by a 6-3 thrashing of Milton Keynes Dons but their weakness from set plays was ruthlessly exposed by the Football League new boys.
Head coach Jardim was brought in to develop a possession-based style and stressed it was how they deployed it that allowed Bromley to put the ball into their box with great effect.
“It’s clear that we will try to play football and create goalscoring chances that way,” said the boss.
“We will stick to that, we are not going to move, there is no Plan B and will keep playing like we did in the last 20 minutes. Can we play better? Yes we can.
“Walsall will not be much different to Bromley and we have seen that they score from set plays as well.
“Every game we will have our approach and expect to compete better and adjust what we need to.
“Positionings and height does have a massive influence and we are quite a small team, but it’s about controlling different areas.
“You can resolve it by having more of the ball in the opposition half and not conceding so many corners and free-kicks near to your box.”
County now travel to face a Walsall side who are surprise leaders of the fourth tier and looking in great shape for promotion.
Matt Sadler’s Saddlers are on a 12-game unbeaten streak that goes back to October 1, while they are hunting a sixth straight win.
On Boxing Day they beat promotion rivals Doncaster 2-0 at the Bescot on Boxing Day in front of 7,220 fans.
“The team has shown desire, character and energy to come back from big defeats. We have to learn from this and adjust,” said Jardim after Bromley.
County travel to Walsall on Sunday before starting January with home encounters against AFC Wimbledon and struggling Morecambe.
The Exiles are 18th in the table, nine points above the relegation zone and eight off the play-offs as Jardim hunts a ‘comfortable’ season after wholesale changes last summer
