Newport County manager Hayden Mullins says his side are ready for the test on the road when they travel to Gillingham this weekend, with the Exiles looking to continue their positive form and produce another strong performance away from home.
Mullins is expecting a competitive challenge at Priestfield Stadium, but believes his squad are prepared for what awaits them as County look to come away with a positive result.
On last Saturday's game, County had to withstand periods of pressure from the visitors, particularly during the opening stages, before finding a way to secure all three points. Mullins was pleased with the character shown by his side, particularly given they were not at their best for large parts of the contest.
“I think games against teams like Grimsby are really tough. I’ve always said this division is really tough, and Saturday was exactly that. We didn’t expect anything less.
“I was impressed with how we stuck in there. It was a tough first half. We spoke about trying to impose our game plan on them, and I didn’t think we did that too well in the first half.
“They had large spells of the ball and pushed us back a lot. They also missed a very good chance, the one that went across the six-yard box. It was a very good opportunity for them to take the lead.
“The pleasing thing for me, not just from the first half but from the game as a whole, is that we found a way to grab three points when we weren’t at our best.
“I don’t think that’s been there for a while at Newport County, so that’s really good for myself and my staff.
“Sometimes, to suffer in games is never easy as a coach, to sit and watch the team getting pushed back. When I reflect on the game, it wasn’t anywhere near how we wanted to approach it at home, but we found a way to win, which is big.”
The County boss was particularly pleased with the improvement following the interval. Having faced sustained pressure in the opening period, the Exiles looked more comfortable after the break and were able to take control of the game.
Mullins felt his side had grown into the contest and believed there were opportunities available to them despite not dominating possession.
“I thought the second-half performance was really good. I remember sitting there and saying to Toddy that the shape was good and we felt more secure.
“I didn’t see the two goals coming, but I did think we’d have an opportunity from a set piece or a counter-attack because we’ve been good at set pieces.
“It was good to see us get the three points, especially when we haven’t been at our very best.”
Following the match, Grimsby manager David Artell discussed the Rodney Parade playing surface, with the pitch becoming part of the conversation surrounding the fixture.
For Mullins, however, County’s familiarity with their home surroundings meant his squad were well prepared for the conditions. The Exiles had also trained at Rodney Parade on the Friday ahead of the game.
“I think potentially we’re probably used to the surface. We trained on it on the Friday as well, so we were probably more prepared than most teams, and we should be, being the home team.
“We should be used to our surroundings, the pitch dimensions and all those kinds of things. Maybe they’re used to something a little bit shorter!
“Obviously, we won the game, so I’m probably the happier coach at the end of the day.”
County’s record at Rodney Parade has been one of the positives from the opening stages of the campaign, with Mullins highlighting the importance of knowing the surroundings and understanding the dimensions of the pitch.
“I think you should know your dimensions and you should know how big the pitch is. We get used to our surroundings and what it’s like at home for us.
“As I’ve said, at home this season we’ve been good. We’ve been really good.”
The manager also reflected on the way County have approached their home fixtures this season. While the side have often started games quickly, Saturday provided a slightly different challenge as Grimsby enjoyed spells of possession early on.
Despite that, County once again managed to find the opening goal, something Mullins believes has been an important feature of his side’s performances.
“Usually, we start fast and don’t maintain it for the full 90 minutes because we put so much into the first 60 or 70 minutes of games. Saturday was different. We started slower, but again, we still took the lead, which has been a real feature of what we’ve been doing this season.
“We’ve done well in getting the first goal in games, which has been really good, so long may that continue.”
Grimsby arrived at Rodney Parade unbeaten and sitting towards the top end of the League Two table, providing County with another opportunity to measure themselves against strong opposition.
Mullins was quick to acknowledge the qualities of Artell’s side and the difficulties they presented throughout the afternoon.
“They’re a good side, a very good side.
“They run well and they’ve got strong runners who run the channels really well and make it tough for you. They play a good style of football and get the ball down and play.
“The centre-halves are comfortable on the ball, they pull you around and the full-backs go into midfield. There’s a lot happening in the game and they’re well versed in what they do.
“I think David Artell has been there for a number of years now and he’s got the team exactly where he wants it, which is how you should have it as a head coach.
“We knew it would be a tough game. They were unbeaten, third in the league and potentially could have gone top. They had a lot to push for, so we knew it would be a tough game.
“I said to our boys before the game that this was a yardstick for us, to see where we are. Thankfully, we came out on top.”
The result added another positive result against one of the teams competing near the top of the division. County have also produced a strong performance against Bristol Rovers earlier in the campaign, giving Mullins confidence in what his squad can achieve while remaining mindful of the length of the season.
“When you look back at all our performances in all the games, I think we’ve been good in every single game we’ve played.
“Bristol Rovers are at the top of the league and Grimsby are at the top of the league, and we’ve done well in those fixtures. We know what we can do as a team and what we’ve got in our group.
“We know how we want to prepare for games, and there’s nothing more pleasing for me than seeing your team go out there and apply what you’re asking them to do.
“On top of that, we’ve got some really good characters and leaders in the group, along with some really good young players who are finding their way in the game.
“We’ll be pushing throughout the whole season to try and get as high as we can. I can’t put any restrictions on us, but I also can’t put anything in terms of where we’re going to go this season because it’s a tough, long season.
“We’re just going to push and attack every game as well-equipped and as strong as we can.”
One of the standout performers against Grimsby was Michael, who was recognised with the Man of the Match award following another influential display from the wide position.
The winger has become an increasingly important option for County, with his pace, strength and direct style providing the side with another attacking outlet.
Mullins has been pleased with the way the player has settled into the squad since arriving and believes the environment around the group has helped him make an impact.
“Michael’s [Adu-Poku] got good qualities in a wide player that we were looking at, particularly in the way we want to try and play.
“He’s direct, strong and quick. We want to try and play to his strengths and get him up the pitch. He’s another player who has come in from loan and is really enjoying himself.
“You see Michael in the group and he’s always got a smile on his face. I think all the lads who have come in have integrated into the group really well, and that shows on the pitch.
“If you’re enjoying your football, you’re always playing well. It’s hard to play football when you’re not enjoying it or when you’re not happy with everything.
“You can see the lads on the pitch are happy with how it’s going and with the environment, and we try to use that on the pitch.”
Mullins also highlighted the contribution of several other players who have added depth and competition to his squad during the opening months of the season.
“Michael, along with Tan [Nyakuhwa], who we’ve missed while he’s been away on international duty, Dibley-Dias, who has played really well, Matty Jacob and the other boys who have come in have added to us and done really well.”
Christian Doidge was also central to Saturday’s victory, scoring his second goal for the club since joining County.
The experienced forward has provided County with a focal point in attack and has regularly given opposition defenders a physical challenge. Mullins believes his experience has been particularly valuable to the team.
“Doidge knows his way around the pitch. I think he’s 34 now, so he knows his way around the pitch, which is good.
“He’s a real focal point for us when we need to try and get up the pitch. He gives the opposition a tough time. I’m sure if you speak to any of the centre-halves he’s been up against this season, they’ll tell you it’s been a tough game.
“For the goal we conceded, he was actually off the pitch because he was getting his wound attended to, which was tough. But he was out there with a cut head and, like I say, he took his goal really well.
“To shift it one side and then go back across the goalkeeper was a well-timed and excellent goal.”
Doidge’s head injury was also discussed, with Mullins confirming that the striker had suffered only a small cut and would be available for the weekend.
“He’s fine. There was no concussion protocol. I think it was a small cut, one which he played on with and was fine with.
“He’s trained well and he’ll be fit for Saturday.”
The manager also provided an update on the wider injury situation within the squad.
“There are no injury concerns this weekend. Just Jake Turner with his shoulder, which is ongoing, and the lads who have been out previously. From the game, we haven’t picked up anything of note.”
There was further encouragement regarding players working their way back towards first-team involvement, with Tom Davies now back on the training pitch.
Mullins explained that Davies is currently completing modified training, while Keone is also expected to return to the group soon.
“I think Tom Davies is out there training at the moment. He’s doing some modified bits, so it’s good to see Tom out there.
“Potentially, we could see Tom back in contention in the next week or so. Kion [Etete] is due to be coming in at some point next week as well, which would be good, so we can add him to the group.
“The group is getting stronger, which is good. Those two players coming in, along with the lads like Crole, Harrison Pugh and Alexander Walker, will add to our group when they come back in.
“Like I say, we’ll be getting stronger.”
While County are still searching for their first league victory away from home, the recent point at Accrington Stanley and EFL Trophy victory at Swindon Town have provided positive signs.
Both matches saw County keep clean sheets, while the Swindon victory also delivered the club’s first away win of the campaign.
Mullins believes those results can provide a platform for the team as they look to improve their away record.
“The good thing is it’s swung a little bit, which is good.
“The Accrington game was pleasing. The fact that we kept a clean sheet and picked up a point was good. We weren’t too offensive and there weren’t too many chances we had offensively in that game.
“Then the Swindon game was really good. We kept a clean sheet and won the game, so it’s just those bits that we’ll be building on and adding to.”
County now face another away challenge, with Mullins expecting a difficult encounter but insisting his side will look to play on the front foot.
“This Saturday is one where we can attack the game knowing that we’re coming off the back of a decent run.
“But again, it’ll be no easy game. It’ll be a tough game. They’re good at home and they pose multiple threats.
“For us, we’ll be looking to try and attack it with our threats as well.”
County have now put together a run of four games without defeat, and Mullins believes the improvement has come from the work being put in by his players throughout the week.
The manager has been particularly encouraged by the attitude within the squad, with players competing for starting places and looking to make an impact whenever they are called upon.
“I think where it’s come from is us working hard and focusing on what we need to try and do in the games.
“The players are in a really good place. They come in every day and want to work hard.
“You can see it and I can feel it, and we can feel it as a staff, that everyone is here and willing to play their part.
“The lads are chomping at the bit to get into the starting line-up and desperate to come off the bench and be involved. It’s really good.
“It’s going to be a tough game. We’re going to set up how we want to try and hurt them, but we don’t expect an easy game at all.”
Attention will also turn towards Tuesday’s EFL Trophy fixture, with County looking to build on their victory at Swindon and continue their progress in the competition.
Mullins confirmed that the club will approach the fixture with the intention of securing another victory, although the final team selection will depend on the weekend’s fixture and the condition of the squad.
“We’re definitely going to try and set up to win the game, whatever that looks like for us. We’re playing at home and it’s a really good fixture for us.
“We want to build on the three points we picked up against Swindon, so we’ll definitely be setting up to win the game.
“We obviously have to see where we’re at after the weekend and what the weekend’s fallout looks like. That will determine what the team looks like on Tuesday.
“Whatever team we put out on Tuesday and whatever team we select, we’ll definitely be trying to win the game.”
The EFL Trophy has already provided Mullins with an opportunity to rotate his squad and give valuable minutes to players who have had fewer opportunities in League Two.
That was particularly evident at Swindon, where County made 10 changes from their previous starting XI, with Jake Turner making his debut and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa making his first start.
“It’s a competition that we want to attack and be strong in.
“The Swindon game was a really good opportunity for us to change 10 players. From the starting line-up at the weekend, we changed 10, with JT [Joe Thomas] the only one who stayed in.
“It was a game for Jake Turner to get his debut, Tan to get his first start and a number of players to try and get 90 minutes, which was good.
“It’s definitely a fixture and a competition that we want to take seriously and try to progress in.”