Manager Graham Coughlan has praised the Amber Army for helping carry his side over the finishing line against Barrow on the weekend – and has called for a repeat when Bradford City arrive at Rodney Parade on Saturday (3pm).
The Exiles found themselves playing the entire second half with just 10 men after the dismissal of Captain Ryan Delaney, but still managed to secure a precious point with a 1-1 draw that extended their unbeaten home record in League Two this season.
Coughlan’s squad put their bodies on the line to protect a Shane McLoughlin wonder-strike that won him EFL’s goal of the week, only for Dean Campbell to eventually equalise from the penalty spot.
The players’ resilience earned Coughlan’s praise after the match, but the Newport County boss was also quick to highlight the huge role the fans played at Rodney Parade.
“When you hear the noise and that sort of energy radiating from the terraces and stands it really does lift you as a player,’’ declared Coughlan. “I firmly believe the fans carried us over the line against Barrow and I can’t thank them enough.
“We have a tremendous group of boys in that changing room and the resilience is quite unbelievable.
“Every single one of them understand the DNA of the football club. They know they represent the club, the badge, the city and, of course, the fans.
“We could look back at the Barrow result at the end of the season and see it as a really good point. And, I think a lot of credit will have to go to the fans for that.”
Coughlan is hoping the Amber Army turn up in their numbers again this weekend as the Exiles look to continue their unbeaten home run against Mark Hughes’ Bradford City.
Tickets for the clash are available here.