Graham Westley: Newport County boss says good run of form a 'marker'

Graham Westley has been manager of Stevenage on three separate occasions

Newport County boss Graham Westley says their good run of form is a marker of where they have come as a team since his appointment.

The Exiles are unbeaten in their last five games and ended Carlisle United's unbeaten record on Saturday.

"The players have been improving game on game and week on week," Westley told BBC Radio Wales.

"Anyone watching them will see they've grown into a side that could go into the weekend expecting to win the game."

Westley, 48, succeeded Warren Feeney at Rodney Parade in October with the team at the bottom of League Two

Josh Sheehan's goal against Carlisle as his third of the season for Newport

Newport remain bottom despite their victory against Carlisle but are now just three points away from safety.

"Step by step and day by day we've tried to get better individually and collectively," he continued.

"It's a marker in terms of where we're at that we could beat a side that have been on such a long run."

Westley was full of praise for young forward Josh Sheehan, who is on loan from Premier League side Swansea City, and believes the 21-year-old could be a big talent in the future.

"I arrived to a chorus that expected him to be the new Aaron Ramsey and I was excited to have a look at what that player looked like," Westley said.

"I have to say, he has incredible talent. He's bright and breezy on the ball, he works hard out of possession, his movement is terrific, he's creative and now we've got him scoring goals as well."

County host Alfreton Town in an FA Cup first round replay on Tuesday and the winners will be away to Plymouth Argyle in the next round.