By Alex Bywater
Newport County assistant manager Wayne Hatswell wants a big reaction from his side when they face Walsall at Rodney Parade on Saturday.
Mike Flynn read his Exiles team the riot act after they produced a poor display in Tuesday’s 1-0 home defeat by Northampton Town.
Boss Flynn promised changes for the Walsall game as a result with another home encounter and the chance to bounce back quickly on the horizon.
“Reflecting on it, it was a 20-to-30-minute spell against Northampton where we didn’t play to our best. We suffered in midfield and didn’t get to the second balls,” Hatswell said.
“When you go 1-0 down in this league it’s always a mountain to climb and we gave them a set-piece goal. Training was good on Wednesday with the players who didn’t play and we’ve just got to try and put the defeat behind us.
“We’ve lost at home which is not the end of the world and we want to get back on track. We’ve got a big game coming up and we don’t want to dwell on Tuesday.
“We are normally strong at home and hopefully the disappointment of Tuesday will be the catalyst for us to get back on track. We haven’t got going at home and haven’t got used to being back there yet. It’s still new to us with the crowd back and the new changing room.
“We want to make Newport a fortress. We have done that in years gone by and we want to do it again. We’ve got new players who have come in and are still gelling.
“We are looking for a reaction to put us back on the right track.”
Newport will have Ed Upson back for their meeting with a Walsall side without former Exiles captain Joss Labadie due to suspension.
One man Flynn and Hatswell will have to do without is the versatile Scot Bennett who suffered a serious injury against Northampton.
Bennett’s ability to play in both defence and midfield will make him a big loss.
“He won’t be fit for Saturday. I’m fearing it’s long term,” Hatswell said of Bennett.
“He’s fractured his third metatarsal but is still waiting for a scan to check for ligament damage. It’s not good. He’s been really important for us.
“Walsall have had a rebuilding job there but they have a squad of decent players. Hopefully we can get the first goal.”