Graham Coughlan, the manager of NEWPORT County AFC, thinks it would take a “minor miracle” for his team to contend for the League Two playoffs.
The Exiles’ six-game unbeaten streak has put them in 13th position in the standings, just four points behind seventh-place Notts County.
County has won three straight games, with most recent victory being at Rodney Parade in a 2-1 comeback victory over Swindon.
When asked if he was considering a play-off charge, Coughlan responded with a simple “No.”
Although the manager is downplaying the possibility of finishing in the top seven, he is willing to acknowledge that the squad of 2022–2023 will need to surpass their effort.
They scored 57 points overall (1.24 per game) and finished in 15th place, whereas the current crop has 40 points from 29 games (1.38).
“We are considering Walsall,” Coughlan declared prior to the trip to Bescot Stadium on Saturday. “We add it to what we have done if we can win.
“We want to finish higher than we did the previous season and reach 57 points, as I have stated from the beginning of the season. Anything more than that would be a small miracle; that would be exceptional.
“Yet you never know with this group of guys and their character, and with the supporters behind us.”
“Let’s not get carried away. This division has given us enough heartburn already, and I think we had a little bit of luck against Swindon.
“You need a little bit of luck, and during three terrible months—September, October, and November—when we were devastated by injuries, we didn’t get that.”
“Overcoming that was challenging, but hopefully the effort we put in at the time is beginning to pay off.”
County have lost just two of their last 10 games in all competitions – at Wrexham before Christmas and to Manchester United – and it hasn’t just been the results that have pleased their boss.
“It’s been a strong 10 games with really strong performance levels,” said Coughlan.
“We have gathered a few points along the way and that was our third successive league victory, something that I hadn’t done since coming through the door.
“The key is now getting another one. We are going along nicely.”
Walsall are also in good form after claiming 11 points from their last six games, with their only loss coming against leaders Stockport.
The Saddlers, who boast former County centre-back Priestley Farquharson in their ranks, can climb above the Exiles if they beat Morecambe at the Bescot on Tuesday night.
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