NEWPORT County AFC have endured a difficult end to 2019, but Scot Bennett insists the players will “stay together and keep working hard” to ensure that they end the year on a high.
County host Leyton Orient at Rodney Parade tomorrow in their final game of the year and they are aiming to halt a run of eight games without a win in League Two.
The Exiles have lost six of their last seven in the league with the latest defeat coming at Exeter City on Boxing Day.
“It was really frustrating,” said Bennett after the 1-0 loss. “We started the game well and again it’s another sloppy goal [to concede].
“We tried and tried but we just couldn’t get a goal to get back into the game.
“It was really tough out there, the pitch was difficult but we’ve got no excuses. They’ve beaten us and we’ve got to pick ourselves up now.
“We’ve just got to stay together and keep working hard for each other and it will turn around, I’m sure,” he added.
“You don’t become a bad team overnight. It wasn’t long ago we were on a good run. Now we’re on a bad one and we’ve got to stick together and figure it out. That’s the only thing we can do.”
Bennett revealed that the players were not required to train on Christmas Day after manager Michael Flynn had a change of heart.
“The gaffer let us off in the end,” he said. “We did a double session on Christmas Eve and we were in for a long time, but we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do.
“I like this time of year. Any footballer would prefer to be playing rather than training.
“And the good thing about the games coming thick and fast is that you can get out there and put things right quickly and that’s what we’ll be looking to do.”
Bennett returned from injury for the 1-1 draw with Stevenage on December 14 and he’s now fully up to speed.
“I’m feeling good, pretty much back to normal,” he said.
“The last two games were tough, coming back in, and last weekend I was a bit bunged up as well.
“But it’s good to be back out there and hopefully I can help the lads turn things around.”
Read more: Michael Flynn convinced Newport County will 'turn the corner'
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