Bobby Kamwa believes Newport County have the belief and quality to secure their League Two status, as the Exiles head into a crucial run-in starting with Saturday’s trip to Walsall.
The winger goes into the fixture on a high after ending a 344-day wait for a goal with a crucial equaliser in last weekend’s 2-1 victory at Barnet.
Kamwa was the club’s leading scorer last season, but despite consistently troubling League Two defences, had not found the net since April 5 last year. Now, he has opened up on how support from his father helped him through that difficult spell.
“My dad knows the game even though he doesn’t play anymore,” said Kamwa. “He has a very decent knowledge. There were times when I didn’t need to say anything, but he knew how I was feeling inside.
“He gives me wise words and is always there encouraging me. There has never been a game where I have not received a text from him. I have to give a big up to him.”
Kamwa, who spent eight years at Leeds United before joining Burton Albion, revealed how he analysed his game during the drought.
“It was something we did discuss,” he explained. “We looked at all my old clips from last season just to see where I was getting my goals from. We tried to picture this season.
“I asked whether or not I was getting in the right positions, even using the right shooting technique. I felt I needed to be more in the box, maybe switching sides.
“I told myself to become calmer in the final third, this is where I have been lacking. Beating a player was never a problem, it was just the tweak that was needed to the final bit.”
Despite the frustration, Kamwa was determined not to let it affect his personality around the squad.
“There are two different things,” he added. “I’m a bubbly guy, happy to be around the place, happy to be here. The players have been good to me.
“I had the performances, but I wasn’t scoring. It can be a bit frustrating. I told myself not to get too down.
“I wanted to be the same bubbly person because that comes naturally to me. I didn’t want to change because things weren’t going well at work. I told myself to work hard, things will come.”
Like many players, Kamwa also leaned into small routines in search of that extra edge.
“Most players will tell you they don’t have them, but they do,” he said. “For me, I always put my left boot on first. If I had played well in a previous game and maybe scored, I would try and remember everything I’d done on the day.”
More recently, one superstition in particular has caught the eye.
“I have been wearing a hat in the warm-up of late,” he revealed. “With that I’ve had a few good performances. At Barnet it was boiling and people were asking why I was wearing it. I told them, ‘Don’t worry’.
“The day before the game I couldn’t find it. I was getting a bit worried and told myself it had gone. But it had become mixed up with the kit. Pipey had washed it for me.
“It was a big relief when I found it. I knew I’d have a good game then.”
Kamwa also credited head coach Christian Fuchs for the belief he has shown in him.
“This is not the season I would have imagined for myself,” he admitted. “Obviously, my performances have picked up of late.
“The gaffer has been great with me. Since he came in, I have had a few chats with him. He told me he has belief in me and where I am capable of going, and that has been taken on board.
“He has been great with the boys generally, but me personally I have enjoyed my time working under him. I would like many more years with him because I think he is a top bloke.”
With eight games remaining, the focus now turns firmly to the run-in, starting this weekend.
“I am aiming to finish this campaign strongly,” Kamwa added. “There is a sense of belief throughout Newport.
“Even when we were in the drop zone, we believed we’d be fine. Our performances against Bromley have given us all a huge boost.
“If we play like that for the rest of the season, we’ll be safe.”