Accrington Stanley manager John Doolan has warned his players to expect a tough test from Newport County this weekend. The Exiles arrive at the Wham Stadium on Saturday looking to build on a midweek victory that lifted them to 19th place in Sky Bet League Two.
Doolan pointed to his own team's strong home record as a foundation for the match. "We are unbeaten at home and we have to continue that form," he said. "We want to turn this place into a tough place to visit." Accrington are among the division's top scorers but the manager acknowledged a persistent problem. "We are conceding sloppy goals," Doolan added. "We have gone through them this week, especially the goals at Barnet."
He expects a similar challenge from Newport, who he noted have had a comparable start to the campaign. The Welsh side will be desperate for three points to climb the table, a task Doolan believes requires defensive work from the front. Newport are also dealing with suspensions and injuries, which could limit their options.
Despite the recent defensive issues, Doolan is confident in his squad's strength. He stated the group is more competitive than last year and ready for the fight. Newport County's current form shows one win, two draws, and two losses from their last five outings. Their most recent result was a 2-0 away win at Swindon Town on Tuesday, with goals from Gerard Garner and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa.
That victory provided a welcome boost ahead of a difficult run. After facing Accrington, Newport return home to host third-placed Grimsby Town next Saturday. The team's current position and recent results are detailed in the standings and stats sections.
Further reading: accringtonstanley.co.uk
