Goals ace Shawn McCoulsky is fired up for Newport County’s new League Two season.
The Exiles open their campaign against Stevenage away on Saturday (3pm) and 20-year-old striker McCoulsky, who netted 31 goals in 2016-17, says: “I’ll bring pace, power and hopefully goals to the team.
“There are lot of experienced players in the team, like Frank Nouble, and I’m looking to learn from the lads and bring what I can to the team.
“The mood in the camp is very comfortable, everybody is looking forward to the new season and we are targeting finishing way higher than last season.”
McCoulsky has joined Newport on loan from Bristol City until January. His 31 goals last season came for the Robins’ under-23 team plus Weston-super-Mare and Bath City on loan.
“I set myself a target of 25 goals last season and was over the moon to score more than that,” he says.
“Now my aim is to make a positive impact on League Two. I’m confident in my ability and raring to go.
“It’s really important for me to show the fans what I am capable of during my time here.
“When I spoke to the manager (Michael Flynn) he told me this was the best club for me to score my goals.
“I did have interest from other clubs, but the way Newport play made me feel this was where I could improve, develop and play in the Football League.”
Creative midfield player Matt Dolan, from Yeovil Town, is among other Newport signings, along with strikers Lamar Reynolds (from Brentwood Town) and Frank Nouble (Southend United).
Defender Ben White has signed on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Newport finished 22nd last season, escaping relegation in their final match of the season thanks to Mark O’Brien’s dramatic late winner against Notts County.
They won seven of the last 12 fixtures, clawing back an 11 points deficit to stay up. Their recovery sent Hartlepool United down with Leyton Orient.
“A lot of things have to be different this season,” says manager Flynn. “I don’t want to be anywhere near where we were last season. Let’s be honest, we were hanging on and we were quite fortunate.
“Let’s not kid ourselves, it was very close – even going into the last minute of the season.
“So I do feel fortunate, but I also think that hard work gets its reward and thankfully we’re still in the Football League.
“We needed continuity on and off the pitch and I think I’ve managed to do that now with the players I’ve kept. And with the new additions I think we’ve improved the quality.”
Newport’s opening match at Stevenage Borough is the first of three consecutive League Two away games because a new Desso pitch is being laid at their Rodney Parade home.
“It’s not ideal, its not perfect, but if it means we get a good surface to play on,” says Flynn.
Newport’s first five league games, all in August:
Saturday 5 v Stevenage Borough (away); Saturday 12 v Crewe Alexandra (away); August 19 Coventry City (away); Saturday 26 v Chesterfield (home); Tuesday 29th v Forest Green Rovers (away).
Newport County, possible starting line-up v Stevenage: Day, Pipe, Demetriou, Bennett, Butler, Owen-Evans, Labadie (capt), Dolan, Rigg, McCoulsky, Nouble.