Newport County are targeting a play-off spot this season, with goalkeeper Jordan Wright pointing to manager Hayden Mullins' resilient mentality as the driving force. The Exiles aim to extend their unbeaten home record at Rodney Parade, a key factor in their current 14th-place standing in League Two on 18 points from a record of four wins, six draws and four losses.
Wright, the 27-year-old goalkeeper, said the team's high-energy approach at home is central to their ambitions. He credited Mullins with instilling a belief that they can compete for a top-seven finish, despite a league table where just seven points separate the play-off places from the relegation zone.
Play-Off Ambitions
Newport County have taken points from seven of the nine league matches in which they have opened the scoring this term. Their recent form shows a mix of results, with a notable 4-1 victory over Chesterfield last weekend highlighting their potential. That win, which saw goals from Cameron Norman, Thomas Davies, Harrison Biggins and Yahya Bamba, was part of a nine-match unbeaten league run, their longest since the middle of the 2023-24 season, which only ended with a 1-0 defeat at Cheltenham on Saturday 24 October.
Even in that loss, and in two of their last three league games where they conceded within the opening five minutes, the team showed resilience to earn draws. Wright emphasised that this ability to respond, fostered by Mullins, is what makes a play-off push realistic.
Recent Form and Results
Analysing the recent results provides context for the optimism. Before the Cheltenham defeat, Newport County secured a 2-2 draw at Rotherham on Tuesday 20 October and a 1-1 home draw with York on Saturday 17 October. Their form over the last five games reads two wins, two draws and one loss. They sit 13 points behind leaders Salford City but have a positive goal difference, having scored 20 and conceded 17.
The comprehensive win over Chesterfield, with goals from Cameron Norman, Thomas Davies, Harrison Biggins and Yahya Bamba, demonstrated their attacking threat. Maintaining that level at Rodney Parade, where they are yet to lose this season, will be key. The next opportunity to test that home fortitude comes after the away game at Crewe on 14 November. The team will look to their current standings position as a platform to build from in the weeks ahead.
