Welshman Mark Sampson is intent inflicting more pain on manager Michael Flynn’s Newport County.
Creigau-born Sampson, the former England women’s team manager, is now in charge at Stevenage FC, who play County at Rodney Parade on Saturday (3pm).
Newport have suffered four successive SkyBet League Two defeats and badly need a home win against struggling Stevenage.
Flynn’s Exiles are in 12th place, while Stevenage are joint bottom on points, alongside Morecambe.
“We have got to be more aggressive, on the front-foot,” said Sampson. “We must create more chances and have to do better with our final passes.
“It’s important to have more intensity in our game.”
Stevenage have kept four successive clean sheets, but three of those were goalless draws. They defeated Morecambe 1-0.
“We are a resolute and solid team now defensively,” he says. “There are positives in terms of clean sheets.
”It’s important to be better in that final third, simple as that. The onus is on us now to be better.”
Newport striker Jamille Matt, who was born in. Jamaica, scored one goal in eight appearances for Stevenage during a loan spell from Fleetwood in 2015-16 when former Manchester United, Spurs and England striker Teddy Sheringham was manager.
“I enjoyed my two months at Stevenage and I have nothing but positive things to say about Teddy Sheringham,” said Matt
Centre-half Mickey Demetriou is available after recovering from a broken leg he suffered in August.
Captain Joss Labadie could also be back in midfield after being out for three games, while there are doubts about Scot Bennett, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Dan Leadbitter, Robbie Willmott, Corey Whitely, and Ade Azeez.
Sampson has virtually a fully fit squad captain with Scott Cuthbert and Tyler Denton returning to fitness.
Newport play both of the bottom two in their fixtures on Saturday and next weekend. After playing Stevenage at home, they travel to Morecambe.
