Harrison Biggins is looking forward to another challenge on the road as Newport County prepare to make the trip to Gillingham this weekend.
The midfielder says the squad are focused on putting in a strong performance at Priestfield Stadium and will be determined to take the positives from their recent performances into Saturday’s fixture.
Harrison says he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at Newport County so far, with the midfielder highlighting the togetherness within the squad and the hard work that has gone into building the team since pre-season.
“Yeah, it’s been great so far. I’ve really enjoyed it. Ever since day one of pre-season, obviously that was before the gaffer came in, we’ve all worked so hard. We’ve all come together as a team and then the gaffer came in just towards the end of pre-season and that’s just continued. He’s added his little bits to it.
“I think it shows how together everyone is and how hardworking everyone is, first and foremost.”
That sense of togetherness has continued to be a key feature of the group, with a mixture of younger and more experienced players helping to create a strong atmosphere within the squad.
“Yeah, it’s great. There’s some really good lads in there. There’s some young lads, more experienced lads as well now since last season, and everyone’s come together and it goes a long way.
“I think that helps in the games when you’re out there. You can see the togetherness and how hard everyone works for each other. It goes a real long way.”
Harrison joined County in January last season and quickly established himself as a regular in the side. Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding his arrival, he says he enjoyed getting regular football and is now looking firmly ahead.
“Yeah, I think I came in in January and that was off the back of, as I’ve said before, not playing at all, not being involved. It’s a difficult place to be.
“And then I came in and found myself playing pretty much week in, week out, which is what you want to do as a player. Thankfully, I did that, and yeah, I loved every minute of it since I’ve been in the building.
“It was difficult, but in the end, we got our rewards and that’s behind us now. We’re just looking up and hopefully the results continue.”
The midfielder also believes the make-up of the squad has helped County deal with situations that may have produced different results last season.
“We’ve had games probably this year that were similar to last year, but we’ve probably come out on the better side of the result this time just due to bits that we’ve added and personnel that we’ve added.
“But yeah, last year’s gone now. As I said, that’s behind us. We’re just looking up and hopefully the results continue.”
Harrison is now one of the more experienced players within the squad and says the competition for places has helped maintain high standards throughout the week.
“I’d say I’m probably one of the more experienced now in terms of age-wise and sort of games I’ve played and stuff like that.
“But yeah, like I say, it’s a big squad. There’s a real fight for the shirt Monday to Friday for who’s involved on a weekend. Unfortunately, at the moment, there’s good players missing out.
“And you know full well if you don’t perform, then there’s someone else going to come in and do it.”
The midfielder has also enjoyed operating in an attacking midfield role under Hayden Mullins, with the position allowing him to get forward and contribute in the final third.
“Yeah, very much so. He’s been great with me. I’ve really enjoyed working for him. It’s a position I like playing in. I like getting forward and what have you.
“So yeah, hopefully that continues. I’d like some more goals and goal contributions as well.”
One of Harrison’s standout moments this season came against Salford City, when he found the net from inside his own half with a spectacular long-range effort.
Reflecting on the goal, he explained that it was something he had identified as a possibility before the opportunity presented itself.
“I think it’s something I actually do look out for quite a lot. It sounds daft, but where the goalies do stand when general play is happening in the middle of the pitch, they do stand quite high.
“And in that game in particular, I was in our own half a lot. I just knew where it was and as the game just panned out, it seemed to break. That was sort of my chance to try it.
“I probably didn’t realise how far I actually was until I’d seen it back, but thankfully it came off. Unfortunately, in the same breath, it didn’t really count for anything on the night.”
Despite the quality of the finish, Harrison says he prefers to remain level-headed, regardless of whether things are going well or not.
“I never get too excited, to be honest. I’m not quite like that.
“I try and just stay level-headed, whether things are going well or things are going against you. Just try and keep my feet grounded and just continue working.”
County have continued to produce strong performances at Rodney Parade this season, while the squad are looking to take the confidence gained from their away cup victory into their next league fixture on the road.
“The lads did great that night. There were a few changes and that just shows the strength and depth that we’ve got.
“Lads who’ve not played worked ever so hard that night, they got the result and probably put a few thoughts in the manager’s head for the weekend.
“And then obviously, Saturday’s game coming, we went and won at home again. So, like I say, it just shows the team, the togetherness that we’ve got, which is huge.
“But yeah, going into Saturday’s game is just another game for us. We’re confident, we’ll go in, we’ll plan this week leading up to it, and hopefully it happens the way you put a first away win in the league.”
While County’s away league record remains something the side are looking to improve, Harrison insists it is not something that is causing concern within the dressing room.
“No, that’s not a concern at all. As you say, our home form’s been really good.
“That was something we said at the start of the season, that Rodney Parade’s got to be a fortress for us. Teams come there and no-one comes and gets anything easy. No-one gets anything given to them. And so far, so good. That has been the case.
“We were ever so close away a couple of times. I think the Northampton game was down to the wire, not really an awful lot in it.
“The Salford game, there was probably a better team on the night, but having been one-nil up with six minutes left or so, you’d like to think you could get something out of it or hang on.
“But no, we don’t look at stuff like that. We just look at it game by game. And away at Gillingham, I’m sure it’s the one that we’re looking forward to.”
Harrison also outlined the role he sees himself playing within the squad, both through his performances on the pitch and the example he sets for younger players.
“On the field, I think it shows I’m quite energetic. I’m aggressive. I like to go and press and what have you.
“And I like to be a leader both on and off the pitch. And that’s not necessarily with my voice all the time. It’s more just your actions.
“If someone else sees you sort of going to press, or the way that you carry yourself, hopefully the younger lads and the other lads can follow that. And that’s something I can continue to do.
“They might think I’m moaning a little bit sometimes, but that’s just to get the best out of everyone.”
That leadership role is one Harrison says he is enjoying, with a positive atmosphere around the training ground helping to make his time at the club particularly enjoyable.
“Yeah, I’ve really enjoyed it. As I said, just when I say I’ve enjoyed it since coming in and working under the gaffer, that’s everything.
“Day-to-day, coming into the training ground, there’s a good feel about it. Out in training, everything’s enjoyable, but also hard-working.
“And then the games, that’s the main thing on a weekend. And so far, it’s been really good and there’s no reason for that to change.”
Looking ahead, Harrison says the squad are not setting themselves a specific target in terms of league position, instead focusing on continuing to collect points and building momentum.
“I don’t think we set a target in terms of a certain position, but we’re certainly looking up rather than behind us.
“I think that shows on a weekend. With performances that keep touching on togetherness and the fight that we show, we are just going to take it game by game.
“But there’s no reason we can start getting a little run together or continue to pick up points and see where that takes us.”
With County now building momentum, Harrison believes confidence is growing within the group as they prepare for the next challenge.
“Momentum’s huge in football. I think once you get into that little run, like you say, we are in one now, the confidence is high,