Head Coach Nelson Jardim insists his players must be "ready for the challenge" as they prepare for their League Two opener against Cheltenham Town on Saturday afternoon.
The Exiles will travel to the EV Charger Points Stadium for what will be Jardim's first competitive match as the new Exiles boss.
Since arriving at Rodney Parade in June, the Portuguese has worked tirelessly to implement a new style of play over the course of pre-season, and he is excited to see it in action as the big kick-off approaches this weekend.
“We’re all excited for the game on Saturday,” began Jardim.
“It’s going to be a special occasion for everyone, and we need to be ready for the challenge.
“From pre-season, I think we’ve got a clear way of how we want to play. We’ve worked hard over the summer. Me, the staff and the players about building an identity here at the club.
“We want to go about the style in the right way and I’m quite happy where we are as a team right now going into the weekend.
“The way that we play the game is massive and if we reach a good level of performance that will give us that comfortable season that we’re after.
“We will assess game by game because we know that we have a lot of new players and it can take time to settle, but we are looking forward to it and are positive.
“There is a lot of ambition about the season too. Comfortable says that you are aiming higher every game, the highest that you can go and making sure you don't lose your way.
“The connection between comfort and ambition is making sure you are in a position to focus on your style, improving and getting stronger every day.”
Asked if this season is a gamble due to the lack of experience in the squad, he added: “I don’t believe this season is gamble by no means because we know exactly what we are doing and what we want. We are not just trying things; we are actually putting in place a plan.
“That will take time, we know that, and we need everyone to be connected with the idea, especially the fans.
“We need their energy, and I am sure they will be happy with the way that things are going and how the players play and show commitment, aggression and desire to play a good game to provide good afternoons.”
There will be many familiar faces in the Robin's camp on Saturday, no other than Michael Flynn.
Flynn took over at Cheltenham following Darrell Clarke's departure to Barnsley at the end of last season. Flynn is an experienced manager in League Two, having guided County to the play-off final twice during his four-and-a-half-year spell at the club.
And Jardim is well aware of the test the former Exiles boss will possess on Saturday.
“We know it going to be a very tough game. Everyone here in Newport speaks very highly of him [Flynn] and I think he’s a great manager,” continued Jardim.
“He did very well for us by taking the club to the play-off final a couple of year’s back, so it’s going to be a hard match.
“Every game in League Two this season is going to be a challenge so we must ensure that we’re ready for each challenge that comes our way.
“We will be going up there to make sure we can compete first and foremost, and then we’re going to try and implement our game.”