Newport told to focus on own performance

Newport head into the game sitting third in the Midlands Premier and knowing nothing less than a bonus-point win will likely do to maintain their hopes of a top-two finish.

A run of three defeats in four games, including a derby loss to Bridgnorth earlier this month, has seen them slide four points behind leaders Scunthorpe and two behind Luctonians.

But while admitting his team probably now require a perfect 20-point haul from the remaining four games, Adams will tell players to focus solely on the here and now.

He said: “I think it is time we concentrated on ourselves.

“We spent last year chasing the top two and never worried about other results.

“This time I feel we have been looking around us a bit too much and worrying about how others have been getting on.

“We can’t do that any more. We just have to try to get these wins.”

Adams is hoping for a reaction from his players as they look to bounce back, following a fortnight’s rest after their derby defeat.

Broadstreet sit fourth in the table, four points behind Newport and not yet out of the promotion shake-up themselves.

Adams said: “If I am being honest I have not looked too much at Broadstreet.

“The focus is on how we can raise our own performance after the disappointment against Bridgnorth.

“There are no more weekends off now. There are just four games to go and they will come thick and fast.

“We’ll be doing our best to try and get the 20 points which, I believe, should be enough to get us into the top two.

“What will be, will be.”

Boss Bryan Smallman has warned Bridgnorth not to take their eye off the ball when they travel to Nuneaton tomorrow.

The All Blacks, fifth in the table, celebrated North Midlands Cup victory last week. Smallman said: “That is the challenge for us now, to retain our focus.”