Ahead of Newport County's home match with Colchester United on Saturday (07 Mar), Christian Fuchs talked to the media to preview the EFL League Two encounter.
Newport lifted themselves out of the bottom two on Tuesday night after beating Tranmere Rovers, with Fuchs claiming his third home win in charge of The Exiles.
"I was very pleased, because it was a very tricky game", he said.
"It always looks easier playing with one man up, but in fact it makes the whole situation more tricky.
"It was a game of patience, and the boys didn't go away from the plan that we put in place at the break. They kept pounding away and doing the right things, and got rewarded for it in the end."
With a run of home fixtures to come at Rodney Parade, the Austrian urged his players to savour positive results when they arrive.
"The boys need to enjoy those moments. I think everybody was looking forward to the game, and had certain expectations of it once the ref showed the red card.
"But, like we say all the time, we take it game-to-game. It was another game to tick off, and now the focus is on Colchester."
Cameron Evans scored the goal to put County 2-1 ahead late on, and the former Swansea City man was praised by Fuchs following his impact.
"Cam is very reliable, you know what you get from him. He's excelling in many different ways - he's exactly what we need.
"I know he didn't always make the team, but he kept training hard, which is what you want to see as coaching staff, and then waited for his chance and took it.
"He was brilliant in holding midfield, but he can play multiple positions, such as right-back, and did equally well."
The starting eleven has changed consistently in recent matches, with the competition for places inspiring the best in the squad according to Fuchs.
"That's the most important thing as a player. You're in a very competitive environment, and it's not guaranteed that if you start one game, you will start the next one.
"We look at the opposition and which players are the best fit, what system to play, and sometimes at the cost of a player. But the player's responsibility is to keep pushing and show that they want to be involved."
County had only scored one goal in their previous seven games before Tuesday, and Fuchs emphasised the importance of taking chances.
"It's always very important. I think that was the reason in many games before that we didn't get points. We always create them, but it's our responsibility to take them and keep every hope alive.
"We can look back at many games where we were very competitive, and it doesn't really make sense to me. We need to look forward, we have ourselves in a good position, and now it's about being dilligent and taking the next step."
One of the main talking points was the renewed belief in the squad, and whether Newport were equipped to continue fighting.
"You look at Fleetwood away, we had four or five players cramping up because they ran so much, and they shook it off and kept going. That's the mentality we need.
"The injury situation is easing up, but these are the waves you go through in the season. We are doing our best to get them back, but we also have a responsibility to make sure they're healthy."
Chris Todd was announced as joining the Newport coaching staff on Thursday, and Fuchs has already
"He's been with us for a few weeks - nice and quiet!
"He has definitely brought experience. A good network as well, it's always good to pick other coaches' brains about players and opposition.
"A very good addition to the coaching staff, having played here. He's attached to the club, and wishes nothing but the best for the team to progress.
"It was also good to bring someone in who wasn't involved from the very beginning, being more neutral and having a critical view on things."
However, the Newport boss was also stern on the threats that The U's could pose on Saturday afternoon.
"They have come off a bad run as well, so you expect a reaction from them. They have some very decent players, Mbick [Micah] is back from injury and played thirty minutes in the last game. Lisbie [Kyreece] is a big threat as well.
"We are always aware of where we can hurt them, and it's another game where we have to look at ourselves."
