Newport County chief Christian Fuchs insists that establishing good defensive habits and expanding dominant attacking periods throughout a match will be key to helping his side secure League Two safety.
The Exiles host play-off chasing Chesterfield at Rodney Parade this Saturday, aiming to record a successive home victory ahead of their midweek trip to face Accrington Stanley. With the league’s bottom section congested, maintaining a positive mental approach will be vital if County are to overhaul fellow strugglers Harrogate, Crawley, Shrewsbury, Bristol Rovers and Barrow.
Austrian international skipper Fuchs was part of the Leicester City squad that famously lifted the Premier League title a decade ago, a triumph built on rapid counter-attacking underpinned by a solid defensive foundation. He reflected on that campaign as he emphasised the importance of defensive structure for Newport, particularly after their 3-2 defeat at Gillingham six days ago. Fuchs said they “cannot afford to be making the mistakes we did for their first and third goals. We need to defend the box and the far-post better. I have spoken to the players involved. They put their hands up. That's what I appreciate about the group, they are honest. Mistakes, as in life, are made, but it is all about how you learn from them.”
On the importance of consistent defensive focus, Fuchs added that “it's been a topic regularly raised since we came in. Changing habits of players, or people, can take six weeks. We are right at that time now. I spoke with Ryan [Delaney] after the game at Gillingham. Even if you address a situation before the action, things that have been done for such a long time come out automatically. We will continue to reinforce the same message. We have had a good week of training and put a lot of emphasis on this area. It's now down to the players to show improvement in the game.”
Fuchs also wants to see the team extend periods of bright attacking play beyond short bursts. He explained, “It's about building a consistency in our game, not just performing for brief periods. At Gillingham we were very bright for the first 20 minutes of the game. We should have been two-up, and not just scored the one goal we did. I want to see us stretch this 20 minutes to 75 minutes plus. We must also be more clinical.”
Saturday’s Chesterfield side will include several January signings. Defenders Sam Curtis, on loan from Sheffield United, and Dutch Aston Villa centre-back Sil Swinkels, young attacker Will Dickson from Manchester City, and Leicester midfielder Sammy Braybrooke, who had a successful loan spell with County earlier this season, will all be in contention. Fuchs remained unfazed by Braybrooke’s arrival and departure, stating, “We can't whine about every player who leaves. Leicester made the decision. They wanted to loan him out to someone else. It's not a game against one player, it's not about individual players. The importance is our team and how we perform. Get the performance right and the result takes care of itself. I look and I'd rather be a coach of my team. We have good characters. We have bright players that fill that gap of any departing player. We'll give our answer on the pitch as a team, rather than be focusing on Sammy. That's irrelevant.”
Borrowed Shrewsbury schemer Harrison Biggins is set for another start, alongside striker James Crole from JD Cymru Premier club Penybont, on-loan Swindon centre-back Ryan Delaney, Cardiff City’s Wales U-21 international winger Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, and Californian club Sacramento Republic attacker Lewis Jamieson, giving Fuchs additional options.
The Newport boss added, “We have good players going forward. Players that can carry the ball, players who can create something out of nothing. We have players who can play in multiple positions. I am blessed because they can fulfil several roles. Results will come, but we must maintain a level of intensity of being on the front foot. The defensive behaviour is important too, though. Establishing a structure is something I want to see. If it's a specific block, everyone must defend the box. We need to be better in this area. We have worked on this throughout the week and that makes me excited for Saturday.”
Watch the full press conference below
