Newport County boss Graham Coughlan has claimed that former Swindon Town player Luke Jephcott could be the club’s next 20-goal-a-season striker, in quotes provided by the South Wales Argus.
The 24-year-old forward linked up with Newport County in January, departing SPFL side St Johnstone putting an end to a poor spell north of the border. The striker spent last season on loan at Swindon Town, where he contributed seven goals and one assist in 33 games for the Robins. Five of these goals, however, came in the opening 11 games of the season with the only other goals coming against AFC Wimbledon, late into the campaign.
His barren spell continued into his new club, as he failed to score for St Johnstone during his time there, before leaving just six months into his two-year deal. Despite his recent struggles, during his time with Plymouth Argyle, he notched 37 goals in 118 appearances, including 16 in 20/21 and 10 in 21/22 in League One fixtures.
Jephcott has yet to score for Newport County, but the majority of his appearances have come off the bench for his new side. He has only totalled 194 minutes of football as they hunt down a play-off spot in a highly competitive League Two campaign.
What did Newport County boss Graham Coughlan say?
Speaking to the South Wales Argus, Coughlan discussed the development of his striker and how the club’s style could unlock his potential.
“Luke had a tough time, he was up in Scotland and wasn’t part of their group,” “He didn’t have any reserve games and was training on his own.
“He was isolated for whatever reason and that’s what we inherited – he lacked sharpness and fitness. We are chipping away at that but it won’t come overnight.
“He has been brilliant and it’s the first time that we can put two on, two off to freshen things up with options at that end of the park.
“Luke got a brilliant goal at Bristol Rovers [in a friendly behind closed doors] when he got 90 minutes under his belt.
“Even in that game he went to around 75 minutes and we were wondering if we should take him off, we had a conversation but felt we had to push him through.”
“He gives us a great platform but we judge strikers on goals. He is a goalscorer and I felt that we were missing some chances,” said Coughlan.
“We do create a lot, we don’t always convert. Give Luke a chance and he will take it – history tells you that.
“He is a proven goalscorer, and not just at this level but in League One. I am looking forward to getting him up to speed, and I hope that I can get something out of him this season.”
“He liked the idea of working with me and Joe [Dunne, assistant], who have a track record of getting 20 goals out of strikers each season, although Omar Bogle only got 19 last season,”
“We do create chances as a coaching team and want to play on the front foot with two strikers, and Luke liked that thought process.
“I think it’s a good match with me and Joe working with Luke because we do create chances and he will finish them.”
Can Jephcott do it?
Luke Jephcott needs a period of stability, his spells at Swindon Town and St Johnstone won’t have done much for his confidence. Last season with the Robins he had to contend with the return of club legend Charlie Austin in a side that was struggling to contend with the loss of stars such as Jack Payne, Harry McKirdy and boss Ben Garner all in the same period. Scott Lindsey left mid-season and the Jody Morris period got worse with every game. His spell in Scotland again wasn’t helped by a managerial change. It was clear that the club didn’t have the patience or time to aid his development so cut their losses at the first opportunity.
At Newport, Jephcott has the belief of the manager, which for some can be all it takes to prompt an upturn in performances. Coughlan has put his neck out and publically backed the player when it would be easy to criticise or claim there hasn’t been enough time. He is also in a side that doesn’t have the same level of pressure, there is no requirement for him to be scoring 20 goals a season now. He has the time and the environment to learn, build his fitness and hopefully develop into the player who was at Plymouth Argyle just a few years ago.