Graham Westley is at a low point in his managerial career, but he still believes Newport County are capable of staying in the Football League this season.
Manager Westley has earned only five wins in 21 matches since he took charge of League Two County – and admits they need more than twice that number in their remaining fixtures.
Newport are bottom of the table on 18 points, six behind Cheltenham Town in 22nd place, and have two huge matches coming up.
Westley’s men entertain Hartlepool United, managed by former Cardiff City manager Dave Jones, this Saturday before travelling to Cheltenham Town a week later.
“I’ve never worked so hard in my life to produce results and got so few,” said Westley, who has a 23.81 win percentage with Newport.
That’s only half the level he has achieved over a 20-year career which have brought him more than 400 victories in 881 matches.
County have ended their disastrous run of eight successive League defeats, drawing their last two games against Colchester United at home (1-1) and Barnet away (0-0).
Goalkeeper Joe Day was County’s man of the match, making a series of outstanding saves, and Westley said: “Before you become a winning side you’ve got to be an unbeaten side, a side that’s difficult to play against and proud of clean sheets.
“When you go away you’re going to be under the cosh to an extent, but I thought our performance against Barnet was determined and dogged.”
Westley has signed 11 players and released seven during January and he says there will be more ins and outs.
Mitchell Rose, the 22-year-old younger brother of Spurs full-back Danny, is the latest arrival and Westley says: “Mitch is an ideal recruit.
“He is youthful yet experienced. And he adds to our options and brings a huge ambition with him here in South Wales.”
County’s new-look team have to gel quickly as a group and their manager insists they are already defending with a sense of unity and a sense of purpose.
“There is already a togetherness and a desire to win points,” he said. “If we keep building on that we will win a lot of points. There are 20 games and lots of points to win.
“Provided the base that we’re putting in place is built upon we’ll be in good shape come the end of the season.”