Mullins expecting another stern test against Tranmerepublished at 12:45 BST
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyNewport County manager Hayden Mullins expects another demanding afternoon when his side host Tranmere Rovers on Saturday (15:00 BST), warning that "no game will be easy" in League Two this season.
The Exiles return to Rodney Parade looking to bounce back from last weekend's entertaining 5-3 Severnside derby defeat at Bristol Rovers, a match Mullins felt provided plenty of encouragement despite the result.
"It was a real derby atmosphere. The game had everything really," said Mullins.
"I thoroughly enjoyed the game. I enjoyed our performance, our character, our energy and our threat to their goal.
"What I asked the boys to do, I saw for large periods of the game."
Newport have made a positive start under Mullins, who has quickly established consistency by naming the same starting XI in all three competitive fixtures to date.
That cohesion has been reflected in attack, with County scoring six goals in their past two matches after often struggling to find the target last term.
The Exiles were ahead after just 15 seconds at the Memorial Stadium before ultimately falling short, and Mullins wants another fast start at Rodney Parade.
"Come Saturday at three o'clock, we've got to start right, start fast and hopefully we're positive and can get the crowd with us," he said.
The fixture also provides a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.
When the sides met at Rodney Parade in March, Newport climbed out of the League Two relegation zone for the first time in 151 days, a result that proved pivotal in their eventual survival.
Last term Newport won just six times at home, but having secured a 3-0 win to Rochdale on the opening day, the mood is now considerably brighter.
But Mullins does not expect it to be easy for the visit of a Tranmere side showing signs of improvement under manager Darrell Clarke.
Before Clarke's arrival earlier this summer, Rovers won just one of their final 12 league matches of last season as they finished two points behind the Exiles.
However, they have opened the new campaign unbeaten with four points from their first two League Two games and sit fourth.
"I've watched their two games and they work incredibly hard," said Mullins on the test ahead of his side.
"They've got a bit of quality in their team as well, so we understand the threats they pose.
"Darrell Clarke's teams are never easy to play against, and I'm sure he'll have his team well drilled and well versed on us."
Former Newport striker Courtney Baker-Richardson could also feature against his old club.
The forward scored four goals last season for County and made his first Tranmere appearance off the bench on the opening weekend of the campaign.
Newport midfielder Cole Jarvis, who played alongside Baker-Richardson last season, is anticipating a physical encounter.
"We've gone through some bits, and they seem a physical side," said Jarvis.
"But I have no fear in us getting the three points."
