Newport boss Westley unphased by abuse from fans

(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)

Newport County boss Graham Westley has said he is not phased by abuse from fans, saying he has experienced it all before.

After losing 2-1 away at Mansfield last Saturday, the Exiles remained rooted to the foot of Football League, and went nine points adrift of Hartlepool in 22nd after midweek results went against them.

Newport did start well against the Stags, with Ryan Bird bundling the Welsh side into an early lead, but the League Two strugglers failed to hold onto their advantage and extended their winless run to six games.

The capitulation led to some unrest in the away end, much of it aimed at the Newport boss, but Westley said: “I wasn’t bothered, I’ve had fans berate me at games, I have had fans coin me at games, I have had square ups with fans at different clubs.

“As manager, it’s my job to take flak.

“Passion is a part of football. I let people say what they want to say and if they think I am to blame… they can say so.”

If Newport are to preserve their status as an EFL club, they will need to show a miraculous turnaround in form, but their boss is confident that is possible.

With Leyton Orient the visitors to Rodney Parade this weekend, the team directly above the Exiles, Westley knows Saturday is the ideal time to kick-start their battle to survive.

“We know that to stay up, we probably need 24, 25, 26 points out of a possible 39,” said the former Peterborough and Preston boss.

“A club like Newport always has limited choice, but I think we’ve got some key players in… and a lot of them are returning.

“We have a squad that I think can wins games and we should only get better.

“I honestly believe these lads can help us secure our League Two status.”