WARREN Feeney insists tomorrow’s home clash with bottom club Cambridge United is not a must-win game for Newport County AFC.

County are 22nd in the League Two table – three points above basement boys Cambridge as the two sides meet at Rodney Parade.

The Exiles have won just once this season and have not tasted victory at home since March but Feeney says it’s far too early in the campaign to be heaping too much pressure on his side.

“It’s not a must-win,” he said. “You want to win but it’s very early doors – we’re seven games in with a game in hand.

“I think you always put pressure on yourself and where we are is not great but it’s still very early.

“I’ve every belief that we’ll be OK – any win in this league, especially back-to-back wins, will put you up the league.”

And the Exiles boss says his side cannot expect to just turn up and beat Shaun Derry’s team.

“It is a crucial game,” he said. “They’re below us but they are a very good club and Shaun is a very good manager and they finished very well last year.

“I’ve no doubts that they won’t be around there either come the end of the season.

“They’re a big club and they’ve got good players so I think they’re in a false position as well.

“I think it’s about confidence and momentum,” he added. “It’s the same with us – they’ve just conceded goals at the wrong time and I’m sure they’re working very hard to put it right.

“People look at it and say we should be beating them but no one gives you the right to win a football game and they’ve got to understand that.”

Asked about some fans’ dissatisfaction with the team’s form, Feeney said: “They’ve just got to be patient. We’ve lost one in the last four. I think it’s just frustration.

“If the team looked as if they were struggling I would be worried but I think we’ve been playing quite well.

“But what’s a football club if you’re not going to have some fans moaning?

“They’ve every right to have an opinion but I think they’ve been brilliant – the ones I’ve spoken to.”