Midfielder Josh Sheehan believes Newport County AFC have to take so much confidence from remaining unbeaten in the opening five matches of the 2019/20 campaign after maintaining the streak last night with an away draw at Walsall FC.
Despite missing several key players through injury, the Exiles more than matched their hosts – who were relegated down from League One in the last campaign – and they created a couple of openings in a game where chances were rare.
Jamille Matt saw a shot saved in the first half then came close with a header after the break, while at the other end Tom King didn’t have too much to do but watch a couple of audacious shots drift wide of the respective posts.
Here, you can read what Sheehan exclusively told iFollow Exiles after the club record unbeaten run in the Football League was extended.
On the draw at Walsall FC…
"An away point is always a good one. That’s what we start the game thinking which makes us work hard for each other, and guarantees that each game – especially away – that we dig in deep and make sure we have a compact defence.
"We play for everything we can and it’s another good point away from home.
"Our away form so far is a step in the right direction. You start with not wanting to concede goals, we haven’t scored ourselves away from home in the league, but we know that’ll come with the quality we’ve got.
"You always start with the defence and that’s obviously working with the two clean sheets."
On maintaining the unbeaten run in spite of several injuries…
"It shows the character of the team and the club, we never give in and it shows with the performances we put in.
"We fight for each other and you can see that when someone makes a good challenge or something else, everyone gets around and gives a pat on the back.
"We’re in a good run of form as a team and we just want to keep on winning games. Hopefully, we can get a few more players back from injury to improve the team and the squad.
"We’ve got a good squad, there are several boys itching to get on the pitch, and hopefully we can show that over the coming weeks and matches."
On facing early league leaders Crewe Alexandra at Rodney Parade on Saturday…
"We go into every game with no fear because even if we’re playing Premier League teams like we have recently, we never go in with fear.
"We feel like every game at home, we’ll back ourselves, no one likes to come to Newport and we like showing why they don’t. We want as many fans as we can because it improves our levels as you could see with the results in the last couple of years.
"Home form is absolutely crucial in this league; it’s a huge stepping stone and if we add a solid home form to a couple of good results away from home, we’ll have a good season."
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