Newport County manager Hayden Mullins says his side must start turning strong away performances into points when they travel to Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
Newport County remain unbeaten at Rodney Parade this season after taking five points from their opening three home league games, with the latest coming in a one-one draw against Fleetwood Town.
Mullins was pleased with his side's performance for large periods of the game, particularly in the first half, but felt Newport County could have taken more from the contest.
“For large periods of the game, especially the first half, I think we were much the better team,” Mullins said.
“You know, it's pleasing to see at home how strong we're starting the game. We need to back it up with a strong finish as well.”
Mullins was also pleased with the atmosphere generated by the Amber Army at Rodney Parade, something he identified as an important part of his plans when he first arrived at the club.
“It's good to see the crowd and hear the noise that they generate as well. And that's something that I was quite mindful of doing when I first came in.”
The Newport County manager felt the performance against Fleetwood was particularly encouraging given the quality of the opposition, with the visitors having also impressed in their Carabao Cup victory over Championship side Sheffield United this week.
However, Mullins was frustrated by the way Fleetwood found their equaliser after Newport County switched off for a brief moment.
“It's made it more frustrating with the goal that they got where we switched off for that one split second and we get punished.”
Newport County have taken five points from their opening six league fixtures, with their three away matches producing defeats against Bristol Rovers, Salford City and Northampton Town.
Mullins believes the performances away from home have provided plenty of encouragement, but says the team now needs to find a way to turn those performances into results.
“I think we all know that as a group, but again, the performances have been there.”
The manager pointed to the narrow margins in Newport County's away fixtures so far this season, including late goals conceded against Salford and Northampton.
“It's not like we're sat here and we've been pulled apart and ripped open. We've been in every game we've played.”
That will be the challenge when Newport County visit an Accrington Stanley side who have also made a strong start at home.
“It's a tough, tough game. I think they've got good home form as well,” Mullins said.
“We expect a really tough game. They're pretty similar to us really. The games I've watched with them, especially at home. Like the tempo up, the pace of the game up, ask questions of the opposition.”
Mullins believes Newport County will need to be strong defensively while also showing enough quality in attack to secure a positive result.
“We're going to need the luck to be with us. So yeah, it'll be a tough game.”
Despite Newport County's current away record, Mullins remains encouraged by the performances and the belief within his squad.
“I think the boys know that we are a good team.”
The manager believes the group has developed into a strong dressing room and says the players understand that they are not far away from where they want to be.
“The belief comes from knowing, I think, the boys know that we are a good team.”
Mullins says the immediate objective is to make Newport County difficult to beat while continuing to develop the team and its style.
“At the moment, I know I have to make it hard to beat and a tough team to play against and that has been our focus as now.”
The manager's longer-term ambition is to build on those foundations.
“I want to add and I want to make us a bit more expansive in certain areas.”
There was also praise for Shaquille Gwengwe after the forward received his first international call-up for Malawi.
Gwengwe has made a strong start to his Newport County career and will now represent The Flames during the upcoming international window.
“Every time, you know, when your players get called up to represent their country, it's a massive respect for Shaq and the work he's doing.”
Mullins believes Gwengwe's performances have earned him the opportunity.
“His performances are coming from a place of hard work and character and desire and his goals are obviously a byproduct of that and that's earning him his recognition that he's had in the last couple of weeks.”
“Yeah, he deserves it. He's done really well. And we're all extremely proud of it.”
Newport County have a number of options in the attacking areas, with Gwengwe, Christian Doidge, Tanatswa Nyakuhwa and Michael Adu-Poku among those providing different options for Mullins.
The manager also revealed that the possibility of playing with two strikers remains an option.
“We definitely have the option to go with two strikers, depending on the game and depending on what it looks like and who we're playing against.”
Mullins also praised Doidge for his influence, both on and off the pitch.
“I think him in the dressing room is, for Shaq, priceless, to learn off of Doidgy.”
“He's a real, real clever player from a number nine and I think he does it really well.”
The Newport County manager believes Doidge's experience can help Gwengwe continue to develop his own game as he adapts to the demands of playing as a central striker.
“If that's going to be his role going forward as a single nine, Shaq, I think he's got to start doing all the work that Doidgy does to help the team.”
Mullins confirmed that Newport County have no new injury concerns following the Fleetwood Town game.
Michael Adu-Poku, who was involved in a heavy challenge during the match, has been able to train despite nursing a bruise.
“Fortunately he's been in training. It's been good.”
Kion Etete remains at Cardiff City completing his rehabilitation, while James Crowle is back on the grass but remains around two to three weeks away from joining full training with the group.
Mullins also confirmed that the club's longer-term absentees remain in a similar position, including Tom Davies and Keenan Patten.
Mullins is expecting a difficult test from an Accrington Stanley attack led by Charlie Caton, who has scored five goals in six appearances this season.
“He is a threat. Scores all types of goals as well. He can run in behind, you can finish them crosses and stuff.”
“He's someone who we're aware of and we know that we have to be careful around.”
However, Mullins believes Newport County have attacking threats of their own and will look to put Accrington on the back foot.
“Stopping him will be tough. But it'd be something that the boys would be looking forward to.”
“And like I say, we have threats as well that we hope can put them on the back foot as well and nullify his chances.”
Newport County travel to Accrington Stanley on Saturday looking to turn their encouraging away performances into their first league victory on the road this season.
