David Hughes: Newport County must have intent and energy
Newport have tinkered with their shape throughout the fixtures as Hughes looks at his options in the count down to the Carabao Cup preliminary round tie at Barnet on July 29, a fixture that is followed by the League Two opener at home to Notts County on Saturday, August 2.
Hughes, who left his role with Manchester United Under-21s to replace Nelson Jardim in the hotseat, is not committed to one set-up.
'I am not set on a formation, but there are shapes that we have got to try and get into to try and play,' said the manager, who is working the players hard with assistants Wayne Hatswell and Lee Kendall.
'We must be organised and difficult to play against, I make no bones about that, and we have to play with real intent and energy.
PREPARATION: Newport County at their pre-season friendly against Undy (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)
'The players need to represent the supporters of Newport in a particular way and that needs to be with football on the front foot, pressing, getting after it and making life difficult for the opposition.
'Then when we are on the ball we have to play because it's about entertaining and exciting people by playing winning football.
'It's about stopping your opponent, getting on top of them, running them back the other way and dealing with the ball in a really effective manner.'
County step their preparations up in training this week and then travel to Tim Harris' Worcester City on Saturday before trips to Weston-super-Mare and Torquay United.
The former defender is ready to be a boss in the Football League for the first time after being picked by owner Huw Jenkins.
Jardim was head coach and Hughes is manager, although he insists that is just a title.
'I will be called many other things over my time here than manager or head coach! I am not too concerned by the title, it's just about the plan to move the club forward along with the rest of the staff,' he said.
- County's League Two game against Swindon Town at Rodney Parade on Saturday, October 4 has been brought forward to a 12.30pm kick-off.
As has been the case in recent years, the start time has been switched on police advice and the fixture will be all-ticket and they will need to be bought before matchday.
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