Hayden Mullins says there is plenty to be positive about as Newport County head to Rotherham United looking to stretch their unbeaten run to nine games on Tuesday at 19:45 BST. The Exiles are in good shape, and a win would also lift them into the play-off places with a first away league victory of the season.
That is a striking position for Newport County to be in after spending last season in a relegation-zone battle. Their current run has changed the tone around the club, and Mullins feels the group is building something solid rather than simply riding a short burst of form.
Mullins: 'Our shape is good'
The Newport County manager has been clear that the main reason for the upturn is the way his side are functioning as a unit. He said: “Our shape is good,” and added that he is happy with the players and how they have taken on board the information.
For Mullins, the encouraging part is not just the results. He believes the team is responding well to the coaching work, with “loads of positive points to build on” and a squad that is, in his words, “a really good group to work with.”
Why the Rotherham trip matters
Saturday’s 1-1 draw with 10-man York City underlined another trait Mullins likes: resilience. Newport County battled back to earn a point, extending their unbeaten sequence to eight games and keeping their momentum intact ahead of the trip to Rotherham United.
The Millers are in the relegation zone and have gone six games without a win across all competitions, which gives Newport a realistic chance of making their recent run count. Rotherham are still at home, though, and Mullins was quick to stress that his side expect another competitive night.
He said Newport “play wholeheartedly” and noted that there are often “a lot of tackles flying around” when they are involved. That may suit a team that has found its rhythm, but it also means Tuesday could be another demanding test of their control and discipline.
The next target
There is also a quick turnaround after Tuesday, with Newport County scheduled to visit Cheltenham Town on Saturday, 24 October. But the immediate focus is clear: extend the unbeaten run, keep the confidence high, and see whether the first away league win of the season can finally arrive.
Mullins summed up the mood simply enough, saying he is “really happy” with the group and with where they are as a club and as a football team. For Newport County, the next answer has to come on the pitch.
