Newport County are embracing a new era of flexibility and fierce competition for places as the 2025-26 football season kicks into gear. Under the guidance of manager David Hughes, the Exiles have made early headlines with their tactical tweaks, squad rotation, and the emergence of versatile talents—none more notable than Cameron Evans, whose transformation from defensive stalwart to midfield dynamo is turning heads across League Two.
Evans, just 24, arrived at Rodney Parade in July 2024 after leaving National League South side Taunton Town. His first campaign in the amber and black saw him make 35 appearances, showcasing his adaptability by playing across the right, left, and center of the defense. But this season, Hughes has handed Evans a fresh challenge: a role in the heart of midfield. So far, the results have been more than promising.
"He was excellent when he came on at Barnet and affected the game, similarly against Notts County when he had a huge impact," Hughes said on August 9, 2025, praising Evans’s ability to change the tempo and mood of a match. The manager continued, "We've been really pleased with Cameron, he's versatile, adaptable and has an incredible personality." Hughes’s words echo the growing sentiment around Newport that Evans may be one of the club’s most important assets this season—not just for his skills, but for his willingness to embrace whatever role the team needs.
The Exiles’ tactical flexibility was on full display during their EFL Cup clash against Championship side Millwall on August 12. Despite falling 1-0 to a thunderous Ryan Leonard strike on the hour mark, Newport impressed in the first 30 minutes, matching their higher-league opponents for intensity and creativity. Hughes, although disappointed with the result, was quick to highlight the positives: "The most telling factor for us as a group was that nothing really changed. I am disappointed to have lost but I am really pleased, some of the football in the first 30 minutes was outstanding."
The Millwall match also saw Hughes ring the changes, making eight switches to the starting eleven that had just beaten Crawley Town 2-1 in League Two three days prior. This rotation policy, Hughes insists, is not only a necessity given the grueling schedule ahead—46 league games plus cup fixtures, with over 50 matches expected—but a reflection of the squad’s depth and collective mentality.
"The lads who started deserved to start because of the way that they have trained continuously," Hughes explained. "They have come on in games and impacted them." Debutant goalkeeper Jordan Wright was a standout, pulling off three excellent saves to keep Newport in the contest. Manchester United loanee Habeeb Ogunneye made an immediate impression on his first start, while the likes of Anthony Glennon, Bobby Kamwa, and, of course, Evans slotted seamlessly into the XI for their first starts of the campaign after being regulars last term.
Competition for places is fierce, particularly down the flanks. On the right, Hughes can call upon Joe Thomas, Ogunneye, and experienced new signing Liam Shephard. The left side sees Tom Davies and Glennon battling it out, while Evans’s new role in midfield adds a defensively minded option to a group that includes Wales international Matt Smith, Cameron Antwi, Kai Whitmore, and Swansea loanee Ben Lloyd. Evans also remains the primary central defensive cover on the bench, a vital insurance policy while Ciaran Brennan and Jaden Warner work their way back from injury.
Hughes has been upfront about the challenges—and opportunities—that come with managing such a deep squad. "The hard part has been telling people they haven't been starting because of the way that they have gone about it," he admitted. Yet, the manager is adamant that every player will have a role to play over the coming months. "There will be in excess of 50 games this season and everybody will play significant amounts of football. That's the message to the group, we need everybody to stick together and support each other, show no disappointment if you don't start but come on to show and illustrate your ability. Everybody has done that."
Newport’s early season schedule is nothing short of relentless. After the hard-fought win at Crawley Town and the narrow EFL Cup defeat to Millwall, the Exiles face a long trip to Grimsby on Saturday, August 16, followed by home fixtures against Salford and Milton Keynes Dons. The squad’s ability to rotate without losing cohesion will be put to the test, but if the opening weeks are any indication, Hughes’s men are up for the challenge.
Evans, for his part, seems to relish his new responsibilities. Though he’s only made two appearances off the bench in midfield so far this season, both outings have been full of energy—just the spark Newport have needed in tight moments. With his background as a defender, Evans brings a combative edge and tactical awareness to the center of the park, complementing the more creative and attacking-minded midfielders around him.
His journey from Swansea City youth product to Taunton Town regular, and now to a key figure at Newport County, is a testament to his work ethic and adaptability. Hughes’s faith in Evans is clear, and the player’s versatility could prove crucial as injuries, suspensions, and fixture congestion inevitably take their toll over the long campaign.
As the Exiles look ahead to a demanding run of matches, the mood around Rodney Parade is one of cautious optimism. The disappointment of the Millwall defeat is tempered by the knowledge that Newport pushed a Championship side to the limit and that the squad’s depth is already paying dividends. The fans, too, have taken notice of the new faces and the tactical tweaks, with Evans’s emergence in midfield providing a fresh talking point as the season unfolds.
In a league where fine margins can make all the difference, Newport’s willingness to adapt and the manager’s commitment to giving every player a chance could be the ingredients that propel the Exiles up the table. Whether Evans remains in midfield, returns to defense, or continues to fill gaps wherever needed, one thing’s for sure: Newport County’s season will be shaped by the collective spirit and versatility that Hughes and his squad are so determined to cultivate.
With Grimsby up next and a packed calendar ahead, all eyes will be on Newport’s evolving lineup and the players—like Cameron Evans—who are making the most of every opportunity. The journey is just beginning, and the Exiles’ belief in their squad depth may yet prove their greatest strength.
