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Brennan hopes for improved away form following return

Brennan hopes for improved away form following return

BBC News17-03-2025

Ciaran Brennan hopes Newport County can replicate their strong Rodney Parade form when they play away from home.The Exiles beat Harrogate Town 3-0 in south Wales on Saturday to earn a 10th home league triumph of the season.Their tally of 33 points gained on home soil under Nelson Jardim is the joint-fourth best return of any side on their own patch in the fourth tier this term.It is in stark contrast to their away form, with only Tranmere Rovers having a worse record on the road than Newport in League Two this season."Every time we play at home, the crowd's great, they get behind us," said Brennan."I don't know if that's a contributing factor when we go away from home or not, it's hard to put your finger on it."All season we've shown we're a resilient group. All we've got to do is take our home form into the away games and we'll be fine."Brennan played in a more unfamiliar midfield role against Harrogate on his first start in two months.The 24-year-old dislocated his shoulder in Newport's 3-2 loss at Port Vale on 18 January, but admits he always backed himself to return to Nelson Jardim's line-up once he made a full recovery."It was tough, not easy. I had to dip into my mental reserves [against Harrogate] at one point," he added."I've been working hard behind the scenes. I got some minutes against Accy (Accrington Stanley) but the game was almost gone by the time I came on."I'm a confident lad, I back myself to get back in the team and hopefully that's what I've done."I thought I was in a good groove of games [before the injury], I'd played every minute of every game, I felt strong and confident, but that's football. I'm ready to go again."

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