Sheridan: Newport need belief to beat top League Two teams
Last updated on .From the section Football
Newport County manager John Sheridan wants his side to believe they are capable of beating the top teams in League Two.
The Exiles have won just once all season and are two points adrift at the foot of the table ahead of Saturday's game at home against second-placed Portsmouth.
But Sheridan refuses to accept his team cannot pull off a shock win.
"These are great games for me," said the former Plymouth boss.
"I just don't want us going into games thinking we're beaten before we even turn up, just because we're bottom of the league."
Portsmouth's visit will be Sheridan's third match since succeeding Terry Butcher as Newport manager.
"Even though we got beaten 3-0 by Mansfield last week I saw some good signs," Sheridan said.
"I saw some poor signs as well and [that's] why we're bottom of the table and why we've been getting beaten.
"The previous game against Exeter I was pleased with how we were but I feel as though we let ourselves down last week.
"Second half last week we were bright and created chances. That's what we've got to do, go out and believe we can get something."
Tommy O'Sullivan and Jazzi Barnum-Bobb are in line to make their debuts after joining on loan from Cardiff City, while Andrew Hughes has been returned to full training after a long injury lay-off.
Striker Tyler Blackwood is set to return to parent club Queens Park Rangers from his loan, but Sheridan is keen to extend the stay of midfielder Janoi Donacien from Aston Villa.
His loan spell is set to expire after the Severn derby against Bristol Rovers on Saturday, 24 October.
