As Newport County AFC gets ready for a “make or break” period in their play-off campaign, NICK Townsend has firsthand knowledge of the dangers of looking too far ahead.
With 20 points from their last nine games, the Exiles have had an incredible run since Christmas, placing them right in the mix for the top seven.
In a crowded standings, they are down in 14th place, just two points behind Harrogate in seventh.
One of the more seasoned players who can help the rookies make a run at the playoffs is goalie Townsend.
The West Midlander was part of the teams that endured heartbreak at Wembley in 2019 and 2021. He was also disappointed in the Exiles when, in mid-March 2022, they went from expecting automatic promotion to an eventual collapse that saw them finish 11th.
With their next seven opponents all presently sitting above them in the standings, County will have difficult tests in the upcoming weeks. On Saturday, they take on fifth-placed MK Dons.
Townsend stated, “We are aware that we are playing everyone around us and that it will be difficult, almost make or break.”
“Even if we are two points behind, we can’t get ahead of ourselves. A few of us guys have been here before, so we just need to take each game as it comes.”
Nevertheless, Huw Jenkins’ takeover, recent form, and FA Cup run have given Newport a positive vibe.
We are a decent bunch of guys who will fight for one another. The changing room is a little more buzzed about, Townsend said.
“We didn’t really know what was going on at the beginning of the season [because of summer exits, uncertain finances, and injuries], but things are starting to look up now.
“Now that the guys have clicked and we’ve demonstrated our abilities as a group, all we need to do is continue doing what we’ve been doing.”
Top scorer Will Evans emerged victorious against Gillingham on Saturday, scoring his 19th league goal of the year, but Townsend made sure he was the match winner with a fantastic save to deny Tim Dieng in the 78th minute.
After making his 150th appearance for the team, he said, “You have to be switched on all the time.” “Being a goalie requires constant awareness and is more of a mental than a physical game.
“I’ll accept it if the guys are ensuring that I only get one true save per game.”
After blanking the Gills, Wrexham, Doncaster, and Walsall in their seven League Two matches this year, the Exiles have kept four clean sheets.
Championship Leeds is the only Football League team with fewer goals conceded than their five goals.
Despite Ryan Delaney, the captain and centre back, suffering a season-ending knee injury, County will attempt to continue that winning streak in Milton Keynes.
“There is a huge loss with Ryan,” Townsend said. He has really calmed us down and has made great progress.
“But the boys in front of me have been outstanding; they are giving it their all and are the main reason we have been winning so many games with clean sheets lately.”
