PARADE POWER SO VITAL – CAM
UPBEAT defender Cameron Norman believes the return of the Rodney Parade faithful is going to be a ‘massive’ boost as Newport County strive for promotion from League Two.
The Welsh government’s Covid-19 restrictions meant the Exiles, along with Championship outfits Cardiff and Swansea, had to play matches behind closed doors earlier this month. Aside from the financial implications, the clubs missed out on backing from their loyal fans.
Newport fell to a surprise 2-0 home loss against Salford in their first match without fans before brushing aside Harrogate 4-0 in their second.
However, Norman, who netted his first goal for the club with an 85th-minute winner at Leyton Orient in midweek, looks back at a couple of Rodney Parade games before the shut-out as a mark of what the passionate supporters provide.
Atmosphere
The Exiles trailed tenman Sutton 2-0 at half-time before storming back to win 3-2 at the death and a few days later came back from 1-0 down at the break to beat Port Vale 2-1.
“Anyone who was at the games before the Christmas period when we had our fans in and got some good results at home can really see the difference that it makes,” the rightback told The FLP.
“The atmosphere really does build. We were down in both games and chasing them, but we ended up turning them around. The fans really drove us on to keep going and, honestly, they make a massive difference.
“It will be a big plus and big bonus for us to have them back, it will be a big lift. Everyone is buzzing to get back out there in front of the home fans.”
Newport welcomed back the supporters for the first time for yesterday’s game against Barrow. Tough trips to pacesetters Forest Green Rovers next Saturday and fellow promotion contenders Northampton (Tues, Feb 8) follow before the Welsh side complete the month with three home games on the spin against Oldham (Feb 12), Mansfield (Feb 19) and Tranmere (Feb 26).
It could be a pivotal month ahead for the Exiles, who climbed to third place with their win against the O’s in east London on Tuesday. It was their third win on the trot.
“We’re doing really well, we’re in a really good space at the moment, but very much taking every game as it comes and excited for every game,” said Norman. “We’ve got full focus on everyone we play, whether they are up there with us or near the bottom.”
But one thing that is giving the former Oxford and Walsall man real cause for optimism is the strength in depth of the Exiles’ squad. They won at Orient without injured 18-goal top scorer Dom Telford and midfielder Finn Azaz, who is on loan from Aston Villa.
Flames
“Don’t get me wrong, Dom’s been on absolute flames this season, scored a lot of goals, and Finn has done really well, but it shows we’ve got goals and threats all over the pitch,” he said. “It was a different type of performance to nullify their threats and be good on the counter. We did a really professional job all over the pitch.
“The lads are brilliant, it’s a great changing room and we drive each other on. That competitive changing room is healthy.”
With the Exiles having lost in the play-off final in two of the last three seasons, Norman is determined to play his part in finally securing League One football for County.
“We’ve got boys in here that have been so close and they really want to get there for the club,” he added. “As one of the new boys, I’m desperate to be part of that to push them on. We’ll take every game as it comes and hopefully we’ll have had a good season come the end of it.”