Graham Coughlan: County boss warns players to focus on Wrexham as Cup fever grips Newport
- Published
Wrexham beat Newport 2-0 when the two sides met at the Stok Racecourse in December
Graham Coughlan has warned Newport players to avoid getting a "headache" over selection to face Manchester United by being below par in Saturday's league match against Wrexham.
Cup fever has already gripped the city, with fans queuing to buy tickets for the United tie on 28 January.
The Newport boss has vowed his players will not even have "half an eye" on the cup going into the Wrexham game.
"We've all been players, we all know the script," said Coughlan.
"If you don't play well tomorrow [Saturday] you don't give yourself a great opportunity of playing next week.
"With all due respect to tomorrow's opponents, it's all about us, it's about what we do about how we prepare, how we go about our business and performance levels.
"If you don't perform [against Wrexham] and don't go about your business well, then you give yourself a little bit of a headache all next week going into the next game, irrespective of who the next game is."
As Newport look to avenge their 2-0 defeat in the reverse League Two fixture at the Stok Racecourse, on 23 December, Coughlan added: "As a player you want to perform well in every game, do your best and you want to win every match you take part in.
"I don't see that changing irrespective of opponents. Footballers should have that mindset and mentality of wanting to win even in training.
"I was built like that. I had to win in training because if I went winning Monday to Friday in training I felt in the right place to compete on Saturday.
"Our lads will be competitive on Saturday, our lads will compete and will be giving their all and they won't have half an eye on anything other than Wrexham, rest assured."
Though Wales Under-21 midfielder Matt Baker will not be fit, Coughlan has seen his injury worries reduce with players like Liverpool loanee Adam Lewis and midfielder Aaron Wildig returning to fitness.
Coughlan believes Wrexham are - in the words of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp - "mentality monsters" as they lie second in League Two looking for consecutive promotions.
But since losing at Wrexham, Newport have gone six league and cup games without defeat, setting up their tie against Premier League opposition with Tuesday night's 3-1 third round replay win at Eastleigh.
The takeover of the south Wales club by former Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins is expected to be confirmed before the end of January and Coughlan hopes for positive news on a first recruit of the January transfer window next week.
And with the fourth round visit of Manchester United on the near horizon, Coughlan is relishing the feel good factor around the club.
Fans were queuing for FA Cup tickets as the County boss arrived for media duties at Rodney Parade and he said: "I cannot believe it, there have been fans outside since four o'clock in the morning.
"They are out there with their teas and coffees, well wrapped up. Joe [Dunne, Coughlan's assistant] came over to Rodney Parade yesterday, he just could not get in the gate, it was just chaos, it was brilliant, it was great to see.
"And the good thing is even though they were up at four o'clock in the morning, they are not moaning and complaining. They are smiling, they are happy and there is a buzz about them. It's great to see and long overdue at this football club."