Newport County boss Graham Coughlan's verdict on Carlisle United

Paul Simpson’s promotion-chasing United return to action against Coughlan’s 18th-placed Exiles this weekend.

And the visiting manager says he is under no illusions that it will be a tough afternoon after their long trip from south Wales.

“First and foremost it’s a long journey, but there’s enough experience amongst the staff and players to navigate that,” Coughlan said in a press conference.

“We’ll try and stop off on the way and break the trip up a bit.

“We know what we’re getting up there. Carlisle are flying, they’re in good form, they’re a really good club, good team, top manager.

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“They fight for every blade of grass. They run, they press, they cover, they put you under pressure.

“They epitomise the division, hence why they’re doing so well.”

Coughlan believes the presence of Paul Simpson at the Carlisle helm, coupled with recent signings, makes United a side to be wary of this weekend.

The clubs drew 1-1 when they met at Rodney Parade earlier this season (Image: Richard Parkes)

Coughlan played under the United boss whilst at Shrewsbury Town.

“He [Simpson] has done a great job,” said the Newport chief.

“He’s a good man, he’s done terrifically well in his career. He did well with the England under-age teams.

“He’ll have them at it. They’ve taken a couple of new signings this week who I really like.

“They’ll have a freshness about the squad. They’ll be eager to get going, they didn’t have a game last weekend, they’re at home, they’ll look forward to it I’m sure.

“We’ll have our work cut out. We know it’s going to be a tough afternoon. We’ll have to be at our best, each and every one of us, and it will take a massive team effort to come away with anything from Carlisle.

“You’ve got to have the right mindset before you step onto this bus on Friday morning.”

Newport, who are seven points above the relegation zone, have drawn their last four games.

That run included a goalless home draw with leaders Leyton Orient, and a dramatic fightback to draw 2-2 with Crawley Town, when ex-Carlisle striker Offrande Zanzala scored a stoppage-time equaliser.

Coughlan, appointed to replace James Rowberry in October, says that fighting spirit is clear amongst his players.

Ex-Carlisle defender Darren Kelly, right, is Newport's sporting director (Image: Richard Parkes)

“The character and work ethic at this club is unique. It’s an honest, hard-working club and it’s brilliant to be part of. Those traits are right up my street,” added Coughlan of a club whose sporting director is former Carlisle defender Darren Kelly.

“This group of lads never know when they’re beaten.

“It’s been really positive in performances, a lot of different traits we’ve seen from players over the last months, and one of those in abundance is the resilience, character, never-say-die attitude and willingness to run through brick walls for this club.

“The performances has gone up, the output has gone up. We’d like to be winning games, instead of coming off the pitch drawing, but we work with what we’ve got and we’re an honest group of lads.”