Newport County AFC summer recruit Kyle Howkins says the Exiles are working so well together that they must target automatic promotion in the 2019/20 season.
County maintained their unbeaten start to pre-season last night with a convincing 8-1 victory at Weston-Super-Mare.
Howkins showed his predatory instinct from set pieces when he guided home a Matty Dolan corner kick to make it 3-0 just before half time.
There were also goals from Joss Labadie, Josh Sheehan, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Corey Whitely, Momodou Touray and two for Padraig Amond.
And Howkins says the squad have gelled so well together that they need to be targeting big things when the League Two season kicks off in 11 days.
Here, you can read everything Howkins exclusively told iFollow Exiles following the conclusion of the contest in Somerset.
On the victory over Weston-Super-Mare…
"Personally, it was good to get 90 minutes which is the first for me in pre-season.
"The team has looked so strong since I joined here on day one so I’m not surprised how well we’ve played recently.
"Of course we’re disappointed [to concede] especially with being on top for most of the game. It was a little bit of a lack of concentration and they scored one but hopefully that won’t happen again.
"Hopefully we can keep it going ready for next weekend against Mansfield Town.
"They were unlucky not to go up last year but the team is looking so strong so hopefully we can get automatic promotion this time around."
On netting his first goal in County colours…
"It’s always nice to get the first goal out of the way and I’m hopefully looking to get more throughout the season.
"I feel like I can contribute to the team both attacking and through keeping clean sheets because that’s my main job.
"We should score a lot from set pieces to be fair. There’s myself, Jamma, Mickey and a few others as well so hopefully we can be strong from set pieces and that could be crucial to winning us a lot of games."
On how he’s settled in…
"The team has done so well since day one. Everyone has fitted in together, everyone is getting along so well so hopefully we can keep gelling and take it into the season.
"I’ve settled in really well – the lads have taken to me really well. They’re a great bunch of lads and I’m really looking forward to spending my next two years here. So far, so good.
"It definitely helped going to Spain. It was nice and hot out there; the atmosphere and the vibes were good as well which was important. Overall good.
"Personally I want to get in as many games as possible before the season starts. I’m feeling good at the moment and I just want to kick on now."
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