Rowberry hoping for more success in this weekend’s local derby clash
LAST weekend James Rowberry was involved in a local derby that didn’t go well for his side, so he is hoping for a complete change in fortunes with Newport County at Bristol Rovers today.
The fledgling County boss (pictured) will take his first steps into management at the Memorial Stadium after a whirlwind week that saw him take over from Michael Flynn as the full-time boss at Rodney Parade after an eight-year stint on the coaching staff at Cardiff City.
On Sunday, he was in the Cardiff dug-out at the Swansea.Com Stadium as the Bluebirds were trounced 3-0 in the south Wales derby. Six days on he will be looking to make the even shorter trip over the Severn Bridge a more successful venture.
“I was involved in the south Wales derby last weekend and those kind of games also add an extra per cent or two to the players performances. It will be nice to start with a derby at Bristol, but for me it is all about focussing on ourselves,” said Rowberry.
“Friday was the first time I was able to take a full session with the group and the first chance to work on anything specific for the game at the weekend. I’ve had a few meetings with the senior players and staff to talk about how we are going to move forward.
“There is a tough resilience in this side which certainly doesn’t surprise me. That’s something that Michael Flynn and Wayne Hatswell have instilled into the players here.
“I want to produce a team that will excite people – that’s what I’m hoping for. I hope they will run through brick walls for the fans and be a team that wants to play football and score goals.”
Rovers first-team coach Kevin Bond was in the stand at Rodney Parade casting an eye over the rain-soaked 2-2 draw with Carlisle United. County conceded within a minute, went ahead with two goals from Dom Telford and then conceded a penalty and two red cards to escape with a point.
On the same night, Rovers drew 1-1 at Colchester and also had two players dismissed. Rowberry will be without influential midfielder Ed Upson and wing-back Ryan Haynes for his first game in charge, while opposite number Joey Barton will be missing Cian Harries and Trevor Clarke.
“They are 17th in the league and only a few points behind us. I expect them to be industrious and hard-working just like their boss was as a player,” said Rowberry.
“There will be a few nerves flying around, but that won’t affect me.
“We will be taking 1,100 fans with us to Bristol, which is fantastic, and I can’t wait to take charge of my home town team for the first time.”
The 36-year-old Rowberry will not be bringing any new staff into the club with him and will lean on assistant manager Wayne Hatswell, the interim boss for the last five games, in much the same way as Flynn did before him.
That stability within the club will should help to make it a pretty seamless transition.