Newport County manager Christian Fuchs says his side are primed to grasp the challenge as they focus on the crucial League Two crunch with Harrogate Town at Rodney Parade on Saturday.
Reflecting on the defeat at Notts County, Fuchs admitted there were frustrations, particularly from set-pieces, but insists there were positives from an improved display after the break.
“We had one training day so far and I gave the boys an extra day off to get away from it and spend time with their families,” he explained. “Sometimes less is more. Starting today, we’ve fully focused on how we’re going to approach Harrogate and the challenge they will clearly bring.
“In the first half against Notts County, it was a bit of a nothing game. We were tidy on the ball and controlled things up to around 20 yards from our goal, but it hurts that one of our strengths, defending corners, cost us two goals.
“In the second half, we added more aggression, competed for second balls and pushed forward. The boys showed great character and mentality. For me, it was a very good performance after the break.”
Fuchs believes that second-half show provides the blueprint for Saturday, with mentality and application key at this stage of the season.
“One strength this group has is how they deal with setbacks,” he said. “That’s been the story of the season. They always respond. They are ready to go again and can’t wait to be back out on the pitch to put things right.”
Looking ahead to Harrogate, the County boss expects another tough test, particularly with form across the division showing how unpredictable results can be.
He said, “We’ve looked at them and we know what they’re about. Teams are picking up results away from home at the moment, but we will be ready,” he added.
With just a point keeping County out of the bottom two, Fuchs is under no illusions about the importance of the fixture, but insists his players are fully aware of what is required.
He said, “The boys know exactly what’s at stake. Most of our games recently have felt like this, and they’ve handled that pressure well. They’ve worked incredibly hard to get out of the relegation zone and stay out of it in recent weeks. That shows their mentality and togetherness.”
Fuchs also highlighted the importance of unity within the squad as a key factor in their fight for survival, saying, “The togetherness in this group is a big strength, They don’t let setbacks keep them down. Once we’re back on the training pitch, they’re focused, they show intensity and they’re ready to go again.”
Ex-Leicester defender Fuchs insists his men must show greater ruthlessness “We create good moments in games and we’re always capable of scoring. It’s about taking those chances when they come.” he said.
Saturday’s clash has been labelled a must-win by many, but Fuchs is keeping the message clear, “It’s a game we want to go for. A home win would be massive for us. The players know the importance, I don’t need to add extra pressure,” said the Austrian, continuing, “There are still points to play for, but this is a big one and we’ll be ready.”
Fuchs also confirmed that the squad remains competitive, with players pushing for selection heading into the weekend. He said, It’s a fight for places. The players who show the most in training will get the shirt,”
With the Amber Army expected to turn out in strong numbers at Rodney Parade, Fuchs is confident his side can rise to the occasion once again. He said, “I’m sure the fans will be there backing us,” he said. “The boys won’t let them down.”
