James Rowberry: It's a collective win

James Rowberry's managerial debut got off to the perfect start, with his Newport winning 3-1 at Bristol Rovers, but the new gaffer was keen to give praise to his backroom staff after the match.

Rowberry had a hectic first week at the helm, having joined on Wednesday and only getting one full training session with the players in the build-up to what was a huge game at near-neighbours Bristol Rovers.

But while all the plaudits will go to Rowberry for picking up three points in his first-ever game in charge of a senior team, the young manager wanted praise spread out all over the club.

"Credit to the players for their performance. I have to give a lot of credit to them - the staff and players as a collective," Rowberry began.

"It was a great experience and a great day. The team behind the team was amazing for me today, they have to take all the credit. All I've done is take the reigns on it with their support so it's a collective win."

As well as being a great day for Rowberry, it was also another game to remember for striker Dom Telford who scored his second brace in as many games, with his double on Saturday following two goals in a 2-2 draw against Carlisle in midweek.

"He has been amazing, and I have to say: what a great lad. We've got a great group of individuals and all of them were fantastic," Rowberry continued.

While he has only been in the job a matter of days, Rowberry already knows something his County players can target as they look to move up the League Two table.

"One thing we were quite low on was our passes-per-defensive-action, and I think Wayne [Hatswell, assistant manager] knew that weeks ago. 

"We've started to work on that a little more and you can see today with the youth and energy. We've got a good mix - it's not just about the youth it's about the senior lads as well with their experience.

"But I look at the young lads, Jake [Cain], Finn [Azaz] and Ollie [Cooper], I have to say, I'm very proud with what they've done, they were amazing today.

"This club is not built on sand, it's built on foundations, and I've got to keep building on those foundations"