Midfielder Bryn Morris expects a tough test against Bradford City tomorrow afternoon, and insists his side must manage the occasion to be successful at Valley Parade.
The Exiles travel to West Yorkshire on a poor run of form having lost seven League Two fixtures on the bounce.
The Bantams, meanwhile, sit just outside the play-off places having snapped a six-game winning run with a midweek victory over Barrow last time out.
And Morris knows all too well the challenge Saturday’s opposition will possess and says his players must be ready for the task at hand, as they look to finish the campaign on a high.
“We want to go out on a positive and a good result,” said Morris.
“It’s been disappointing the drop off in form but I think injuries have played a massive part in that.
“I think people have seen when we’ve had a fully fit squad that we should be really pushing for play-offs which we were.
“To be two points off the play-offs in March to where we are now is frustrating. We’ve lost some key players including Declan Drysdale, Ryan Delaney, James Clarke, Shane McLoughlin and obviously Adam Lewis for a while too. The whole backline almost.
“With all those fit and a few others I’m sure we would have been right in the mix.
“If we can keep the core of the squad together, as you’ve seen at times over the course of the season, we’ve got it in us to compete with the better teams in the league.
“I think it's all about timing as well. If you look back at our run at the start of the year, we had momentum, we had no injuries and we were performing each week. It’s a lot of factors that contribute to good form.
“I think collectedly, competition drives standards in the squad. Each individual should have their own standards, such as preparing in certain ways and be motivated for every game.
"As a footballer, It’s your job at the end of the day, and you have to be ready for each challenge as it comes."
He added: “It’s going to be a hostile arena tomorrow.
“The Gaffer touched on it in the week, it’s going to be over 20,000 fans there, especially with themselves going for the play-offs as well.
“For us, it’s about managing the occasion and showing professional pride. We’ve been beat seven on the bounce now.
“You never want to go more than a couple of games without winning nevermind seven, so we need to respond immediately.
“It’s been a disappointing end to the season but we have one game left and we want to finish as positively as possible.
“If its a point then great, or if its a win then even better. We need to find something to stop the rot.”
