Defiant County chief Christian Fuchs feels being proactive rather than reactive is the key to his Exiles’ drive to make a second lift-off out of the League Two drop zone.
Newport returned to the league’s bottom two after two goals by Colchester’s Harry Anderson and substitute Jack Payne in six devastating second-half minutes either side of the hour effectively sealed Port’s 22nd league defeat of the campaign – Lee Jenkins’ superbly headed reply for Fuchs’ battlers a late consolation.
There was significant controversy over Anderson’s 59th-minute opener as County midfielder Matt Smith appeared to be clearly fouled in the build-up, referee Steven Copeland ignoring home protests.
Former Austrian international skipper and Leicester City Premier League title winner Fuchs was diplomatically maintaining his own counsel on the matter, but did reflect, “It’s one of those games when certain moments and decisions didn’t go our way.
“But the first 30 minutes from us wasn’t good enough. There wasn’t enough energy. The same patterns were shown as in previous weeks – too little. I get different excuses. I just don’t want to see us fall back into old patterns.
“We might have been a little too relaxed after we came off the back of results and getting out of the bottom two. Maybe we need that pressure to perform? We should take the initiative, not just react to something that has happened. It starts with us being on the front foot and being brave on the ball.
“Now we have to get back to the drawing board and get going again. I don’t want to take anything away from what the boys have done in the last few weeks, because they have really shown something. Now, though, we must analyse this game.”
County were seeking their third maximum in five games coming into the clash, having gathered seven from a potential 12 points, a huge improvement.
This latest defeat effectively leaves 23rd-placed Port one point from safety on a weekend that saw fellow strugglers Barrow draw 2-2 at Cheltenham, Crawley hold promotion-seeking Swindon, though bottom club Harrogate crashed at MK Dons and free-falling Tranmere extended their dreadful run with another slump in Birkenhead.
Newport meet Barrow, Crawley and Harrogate within their final 10 fixtures which begin at Barnet next Saturday. Top dogs Bromley visit NP19 Tuesday week, so the torch of hope burns brightly.
Ironically, County’s performance became increasingly potent against Danny Cowley’s U’s as the clash unfolded and Fuchs acknowledged, “We started the second half way better, but one decision changed the game. When you go two behind, it’s difficult to get back. We did show character. If Bobby’s [Kamwa] shot had gone in, maybe – but it was all too late.
“We could have got a point, but things didn’t fall for us. I have faith in the boys – 100%. They have shown they have it in them. They didn’t give up and in the final 10–15 minutes kept going. We showed what we could do. We created some moments and got into the box, but unfortunately it didn’t fall for us.”
Sporting Fuchs handed praise to Colchester, who lost loaned Charlton striker Micah Mbick to a nasty-looking injury after being challenged legitimately by County defender Cameron Evans on 36 minutes, eventually being stretchered off after a lengthy delay in play.
Said Fuchs, “Colchester have some good players that can really connect passes and play between the lines.”
