Christian Fuchs vows to match up Crewe Alexandra man for man as he urges his Exiles to charge through the gates of 2026 with no fear.
Former Austrian international skipper Fuchs believes the goalless draw with Barnet at NP19 on Boxing Day and a much-improved display, will give his warriors the belief they can be defensively solid - which can provide County with a platform to blast off the floor of League Two.
Fuchs and influential deputy Mark Smith elected for a triple centre-halves and wide full-backs system against the Bees which nullified any threat the north Londoners threw up from set plays.
The mid-table Railwaymen are the visitors to Rodney Parade on Monday night [19.30] with the Port hellbent on dynamiting a hex which sees them still seeking a first home league win in 289 days.
Fuch's men deservedly held Crewe at their Gresty Road stadium two-two 19 days ago, bravely coming from behind twice to snatch an added-time equaliser through dreadlocked midfielder Cameron Antwi.
Leicester City Premiership title and FA Cup winner Fuchs is convinced that result provided a vital building block for the uplifting performance against Barnet. He said, "Everything was against us that night at Crewe. We went a man down [Courtney Baker-Richardson dismissed for two separate bookable offences] with much of the game still to play.
"They [Crewe] scored to go two-one up, of course. But we did not give in. The boys fought like tigers to get that leveller. The result proved to me many things, one of which was we have terrific spirit in the squad, You could see that the players really cared and were committed to fight until the death."
This fire again showed on December 26 - County rank unfortunate not to ground the Bees. Michael Spellman, Antwi and Tom Davies went within a fraction of shattering the stalemate - the Exiles also having a decent first-half penalty shout waved away by referee Stephen Parkinson, with the home crowd convinced Barnet's Idris Kanu had clipped Spellman in the box.
Fuchs reflected, "When you are in the position we find ourselves in at this time, sometimes you don't get the fortune you deserve. What I would say was Barnet must have been thankful to have got away with a point.
"We matched up Barnet man for man, winning our second balls and staying solid. There was plenty of fight and commitment from the boys, lots of character - this is what I demand from my teams. We could easily have been 2-0 up before the break.
"If you can stay solid and not concede a goal, you are clearly going to get something out of any game. I do think our fans really appreciated the fire in our performance.
"We went over to the Amber Army at the final whistle to thank them for their support. I wanted to tell them we are all in this together and to say we really appreciate their passion because it certainly inspires us to give that extra 10% on the pitch for them."
Next up Crewe and Fuchs insisted, "We made changes for the Barnet game. We have looked at the way Crewe Alexandra play and we will adjust our approach accordingly and match them man for man.
"The Barnet game was a tremendous step forward and we'll now look to carry that performance and mindset into the Crewe match. We never look beyond the next game, of course."
It remains to be seen if the Alex clash is borrowed Leicester City schemer Sammy Braybrooke's 22nd and final County outing - the mercurial ex-England U-19 skipper is interesting a clutch of higher-league outfits, though Port recruitment chiefs are valiantly attempting to extend the player's stay until the end of the season.
Either way, Fuchs is pushing to recruit two or three fresh faces as he seeks to strengthen his squad in the January window - attacking players would seem a priority, including a fast winger.
But with classy defender Matt Baker, 19-times capped Wales international midfielder Matt Smith, experienced skipper James Clarke and smooth right-back Liam Shepherd now fully fit, County's hand appears more robust.
Reflected Fuchs, "It's like having three or four new players in the squad. It gives us that bit more battle-hardness and know-how which is great.
"We will look to get two or three options across the line in January because I think new players will give us that little bit more option in attack and heightens competition for the shirt.
"We go forward into 2026 with optimism. Can we turn our season around? Of course we can - providing we maintain a strong mindset and our players really start to believe in the natural ability they have been given."
Port target man Courtney Baker-Richardson might be handed a start against his old team - no doubt looking to right his dismissal for two hard challenges up in the north west. On-loan Leicester youngster Nathan Opoku limped off late in the battle with the Bees, but he is expected to be available.
Meanwhile the Alex should include County old-boy Omar Bogle, 32, in their squad. The former Cardiff City striker has, thankfully, now, overcome openly-admitted psychological problems and will look for a 114th goal in his 349th professional match.