Head Coach Nelson Jardim has stressed the importance of Newport County being prepared for a “tough test” as they travel to face Barrow AFC on Saturday afternoon.
The Exiles head to Cumbria following consecutive league defeats to Port Vale and Swindon Town, despite having won three of their opening six league fixtures.
Jardim’s side showed resilience with a midweek victory over West Ham United Under-21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday, but the Portuguese has called on his players to replicate the same intensity and hunger to return to winning ways in the league.
“Tuesday was obviously a different game,” said the Exiles boss.
"I feel we gave the response we needed to from Saturday, and it was a case of going back to our performances and bouncing back. We know we needed to get back on track and show that willingness to win, the desire and hunger for three points.
“We had two games that probably didn’t come in the best time for us with injuries and suspensions, so all them incidents effected us in that sense. But again, Tuesday was a good game and a good response from my players.
“Two weeks ago I urged the players to not get complacent. When you’re winning games of football and things are going well it’s easy to become complacent. It’s part of the human nature and you feel a lot more relaxed, and that’s why I feel I needed to address the situation.
“The game on Tuesday gave us a lot of different problems than games in the past, a different type of problem that we will face tomorrow.
“We know tomorrow will be a different game, a tough game with a different type of football. We have to make sure we come up with the answers."
He added: “It’s not only the long travel but their quality, they have started very well and are a competitive team.
“They do play some good football and their wingers are very good, if you are not switched on then they can hurt you. They are also good on set plays, so it will be a tough test.
“Barrow is a very big test of the basics, sometimes football is all about timings and we are playing a team in form.
“I have heard so many things about the stadium and the difficulties you can face there with the wind and other things that you have to consider.
“I am confident that our boys will give a good account of themselves, we always expect a good performance and to go there and compete.
“We have shown at the beginning of the season that it’s a game that can go right for us.”
