Despite sitting within the League Two relegation zone and struggling a 4-1 thumping to Accrington Stanley in midweek, Newport County boss Christian Fuchs has performed down strategies that Saturday’s journey to relegation rivals Bristol Rovers is season defining.
County journey to the Memorial Stadium on Saturday, 31 January (12:30 GMT) to face a Rovers facet who sit only one place and one level above them.
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The English facet, who come into the competition having misplaced their final three league matches, can be seeking to do the double over County having received 3-2 at Rodney Parade in September due to a brace from Luke Thomas.
“It’s another chance, as well as 18 more that will follow,” stated Fuchs.
“I understand the importance of the game. It helps us if we get wins, but win or lose, there are still enough games to play. This will not define our season.”
The Exiles have received simply as soon as in 2026, however Fuchs believes the underlying performances of his gamers recommend enchancment, even when outcomes are but to pickup considerably.
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“There’s one thing I cannot criticise them for, they try everything and work as hard as possible,” he stated.
County have scored simply 29 objectives in 27 matches, the seventh fewest for a League Two facet, however Fuchs insists he’s “not worried” as they’re creating probabilities and stepping into good positions.
After Accrington inflicted a heavy blow on the Exiles, Fuchs feels it is vital his facet bounce again on Saturday.
“We tripped. That’s it. We move forward. The boys’ mindset is at the very right place,” the previous Austrian worldwide stated.
“The way the boys have taken things on board over the last six, almost seven weeks has been incredible. From where we started, there’s a completely different team out there that believes in themselves.”
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County are anticipated to be backed by a robust travelling assist within the brief journey to Bristol, and whereas Fuchs acknowledged the added fringe of the event, he stays inspired by his facet’s spirit, particularly of their 2-1 victory over Chesterfield last Saturday.
“We need to focus on us. We need to play our game. It doesn’t matter if it’s away in Bromley, home against Chesterfield, or away at Bristol,” he stated.
“We need to be on top of our performance and do the basics right – running, fighting, working for each other, working as a unit.”
Fuchs, having skilled a relegation battle with Leicester in 2017, has referred to as for unity and togetherness to ease relegation considerations.
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“I’m seeing a team that’s playing really well and at times outplaying teams at the top of the table. The confidence is there. The ability is there. The boys have impressed me with their attitude and application.
“As lengthy as we carry out and the boys give their greatest on the market, it provides us a better probability to win.”