Defender Ryan Haynes believes Newport County AFC will have to be at their best if they are to pick up another three points against Scunthorpe United in SkyBet League Two.
After suffering relegation from SkyBet League One last season, The Iron initially struggled to adapt to their new surroundings. They failed to win any of the first seven league games but travel to South Wales with a win and two draws from their last three league fixtures.
Looking at the table, Scunthorpe occupy 22nd, just three points off bottom side Morecambe, but Haynes insists the game will be a lot harder than the league table suggests.
“I don’t think there is a comfortable game in this league,” he said.
“I think Scunthorpe are very good, they are a very good team.
“They are a tough team to play against and maybe the table doesn’t reflect them as a team.
“I think it will be a very tough test but if we turn up and play the way we have been playing I think we have a good chance of getting the three points.”
Newport County sit three points off the summit, despite having the weekend off due to their postponed fixture with Cheltenham Town, and they will be hoping their home form will continue to keep them near the top.
The Exiles haven’t lost at home in the league since a 2-0 defeat to MK Dons on February 23 – a run of 13 games – and Haynes, who has started every League Two fixture this season, is hoping the team will be backed by another packed Rodney Parade.
“We’ve got to take pride in that [home form]. We’ve got to use that as a platform," said the 24-year-old.
“Our home record is very good. We’ve just got to keep going, focus on ourselves, put maximum effort in and hopefully get the three points.
"They really do get behind you and you can see that.
“A couple of times at home it’s been a 93rd-minute winner and throughout the game you can hear fans that are getting behind you and it gives you an extra yard."
The preparation for tomorrow’s game has seen the squad train hard all week, with manager Michael Flynn particularly pleased with the intensity, after enjoying a rare weekend off and Haynes thinks the mini-break will benefit the players.
“I’ve never really had that before but it was nice to get home and see family,” he added.
“It is always nice to get a couple of days to come off things, let the legs recover and then get a good week of training in and you feel a lot better in yourself so I think it will be good for the squad.”