County chief Christian Fuchs believes the improved balance in the Exiles' squad will inject new energy into a bid for an end-of-season charge up the League Two table.
Port's top management were active in the January window drafting in seven players from Wales, England, Scotland and America's west coasts, strengthening in all aspects of Fuchs' hand.
Striker James Crole, a prolific scorer, was captured from JD Cymru Penybont. Midfield dynamo Harris Biggins has been borrowed from Shrewsbury, towering defender Ryan Delaney coming in on loan from Swindon. Pacey wide-man Lewis Jamieson jetted across the Atlantic from Californian Western Conference USL Championship Sacramento Republic, while Wales U-21 star Tanatswa Nyakuwha is at Newport from Cardiff City until the end of the season.
The Exiles, who entertain Grimsby Town at Rodney Parade this Saturday (15.01), also borrowed Austrian ball-winner Sven Sprangler on loan from Scottish Championship St Johnstone and acquired Merthyr Town utility man Cole Jarvis earlier in the week.
Former Leicester City Premiership title winner Fuchs is convinced the County squad has improved balance saying, "When I came in I saw a team that was very unbalanced. We had 12 defenders, two wingers, some strikers and a midfield that was so-so.
"There was no balance in the team. While if you look at the team now we have two or three players to cover. You need that with the tight schedule we have. We can make [changes] without dropping energy levels. So, where we are with the team now there is more balance. The plan was if one player goes out, the next player coming in needs to be above him, they have to be better.
"You have to thank the chairman [Huw Jenkins] and Chris Finn who have put in a lot of effort this window. There was a lot of long days and short nights. But the quality we have brought in really gives us another edge."
On the capture of Sprangler, who has played in the many tiers of the Austrian Bundesliga and stands by for a Football League bow against the Mariners, Fuchs reflected, " I was made aware about him about three weeks ago. I have seen him before, he is a good character. He is strong at defending and can play a simple pass when under pressure, he finds a switch. He is very dynamic and likes to go forward too. My hopes are very high, he is a former captain of St Johnstone too."
Fuchs has been taken with powerfully built attack-minded Jarvis plucked from Conference North Merthyr saying, "I haven't seen a drop in standard [ in training]. He is very physical, not intimidated at all. When you have the opportunity to come into the professional game - League Two - you are going to be motivated. His composure has impressed me too. In the middle of the park he finds a player, but if he loses it, he will get the ball back - that's what you need."
On loan Leicester raider Nathan Opoku is available for selection against Grimsby and Liam Shephard could continue at right back, as County seek a third home win in four games at NP19. Away trips to Swindon, MK Dons and Salford follow this, that's three matches in nine days, all against clubs with promotion ambition.
The tough schedule has no fear for Fuchs who, when questioned, said, "What's the problem with that? Every fixture is difficult. We have taken three points from clubs up the table - and it's been well deserved. Look at the Chesterfield game, you have to play teams like that if you want to stay in the league. We dominated that game, defending and were ice-cold in front of goal."
