Justin Edinburgh focused on safety at Newport County
Last updated on .From the section Football
New Newport County manager Justin Edinburgh says he can look no further than avoiding relegation as he sets his goals for the rest of the season.
Edinburgh arrives at Spytty Park with County one off the bottom of the table and on a run of 11 games without a win.
"I need to turn things around very quickly so we can start to climb the table and get ourselves into a position where we are comfortable," he said.
"We need to put smiles back on a few faces - lift the players and the fans."
Edinburgh succeeds Anthony Hudson at the helm, becoming County's sixth manager in nine years.
Hudson lasted less than six months, paying the price for a terrible start to the season that brought one win from 12 games.
Edinburgh was elusive when asked if he had been promised funds to strengthen the squad, preferring instead to highlight the quality of the players at his disposal.
"There's a healthy squad here and that's what excited me about the job," said Edinburgh, who has been out of work since Rushden & Diamonds were expelled from the Conference in June because of "serious financial problems".
"It's a team that's in a position that they shouldn't be. I'm confident I can turn things around here with the squad we have.
"Everyone deserves, and will get, an opportunity. If we need to chop and change we will do."
Edinburgh built a reputation as an uncompromising defender during a 10-year playing career at Tottenham Hotspur, and the 41-year-old says he managerial approach will be based on "honesty and enthusiasm."
"My team will mirror me in terms of commitment, endeavour," added Edinburgh, whose first game is at home to Southport on Saturday.
"They will leave nothing on the pitch and give everything they've got.
"The short-term goal is turn results around then we can look at instilling a formula and a pattern of play.
"At the minute we've just got to roll our sleeves up, be men and have that greater desire than our rivals to win the game."
