NEWPORT County AFC manager Terry Butcher says the solution to his side’s poor early season results is simple – they must improve at the back and up front.

The Exiles boss watched his side match Hartlepool for much of Tuesday’s match before losing 1-0 – their third defeat in four games so far.

Butcher says he is satisfied with how his new-look team is progressing but he knows they must have more cutting edge in attack and cut out the errors in defence – starting with tomorrow’s visit of Leyton Orient to Rodney Parade.

Speaking about the defeat at Victoria Park, he said: “Our general play was excellent and I had a lot of people speak to me after the game saying they liked the way we played.

“They said there was nothing between the teams and we should have got something out of the game.

“It is nice praise but it makes you even more frustrated that we didn’t actually go and do it.

“We’ve come a long way in a short space of time but we’re still inpatient and frustrated because we want to get more points and more goals and we want to climb the table.”

Butcher’s boys are currently 21st in League Two with one point from three league matches.

“It’s not nice seeing us where we are but we haven’t done enough to win games,” he said.

“That means putting the ball in the back of the net and keeping the goals out at the other end.

“League tables in the early part of the season are never really true because teams are finding their form and this new team is finding its feet with each other and the league as well.

“I don’t have to say anything to the players – they’re saying to me that it is coming and we’ll just keep on doing what we’re doing.

“If we can just be more ruthless in both penalty boxes then we’ll be fine.

“They’re enjoying their football; you can see that. They’re enjoying training and enjoying each other’s company and they’ll only get better and stronger.

“We’ve set a standard of play in games now but we need to set a much higher standard in finishing and defending as well.

“In between both penalty boxes we’re doing OK but it’s where it matters in both penalty areas that we need to be better.”