Newport County manager Hayden Mullins anticipates a tough contest when his team faces Tranmere Rovers on Saturday at 15:00 BST. He cautions that “no game will be easy” in the fiercely competitive League Two this season.

The Exiles return to Rodney Parade determined to recover from last weekend’s thrilling 5-3 loss in the Severnside derby at Bristol Rovers. Despite the disappointing result, Mullins found encouragement in his team’s performance during the match.

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“It was a real derby atmosphere. The game had everything really,” Mullins remarked. “I thoroughly enjoyed the game. I enjoyed our performance, our character, our energy and our threat to their goal. What I asked the boys to do, I saw for large periods of the game.”

Under Mullins’s leadership, Newport has made a promising start, maintaining consistency by fielding the same starting XI in all three competitive matches so far. This unity has translated into scoring, with County netting six goals in their last two outings after previously struggling to find the net.

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Newport took the lead in just 15 seconds at the Memorial Stadium but ultimately fell short. Mullins emphasized the importance of starting strong once again at home. “Come Saturday at three o’clock, we’ve got to start right, start fast, and hopefully we’re positive and can get the crowd with us,” he stated.

The upcoming matchup also serves as a reminder of how quickly situations can shift in football. When Newport faced Tranmere in March, they managed to escape the League Two relegation zone for the first time in 151 days, a critical moment that contributed to their eventual survival.

Last season, Newport won only six home matches, yet following a 3-0 victory over Rochdale on opening day, the atmosphere has markedly improved.

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However, Mullins does not anticipate an easy game against a Tranmere side that has started to show improvement under manager Darrell Clarke. Prior to Clarke’s appointment this summer, Rovers secured only one win in their last 12 league games of the previous season, finishing just two points behind Newport.

This season, Tranmere remains unbeaten, having earned four points from their first two League Two matches, placing them fourth in the standings. “I’ve watched their two games, and they work incredibly hard,” said Mullins regarding Tranmere. “They’ve got a bit of quality in their team as well, so we understand the threats that they pose.”

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Mullins noted that teams managed by Darrell Clarke are always challenging to face, expressing confidence that Clarke’s squad would be well-prepared for the match. Former Newport striker Courtney Baker-Richardson may also play against his old team, having scored four goals for County last season before making his debut for Tranmere off the bench on the opening weekend of this season.

Newport midfielder Cole Jarvis, who played alongside Baker-Richardson last year, predicts a physically demanding match. “We’ve gone through some bits, and they seem a physical side,” Jarvis commented. “But I have no fear in us getting the three points.”

Newport County manager Hayden Mullins expects another demanding afternoon when his side host Tranmere Rovers on Saturday (15:00 BST), warning that “no game will be easy” in League Two this season.

The Exiles return to Rodney Parade looking to bounce back from last weekend’s entertaining 5-3 Severnside derby defeat at Bristol Rovers, a match Mullins felt provided plenty of encouragement despite the result.

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“It was a real derby atmosphere. The game had everything really,” said Mullins.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the game. I enjoyed our performance, our character, our energy and our threat to their goal.

“What I asked the boys to do, I saw for large periods of the game.”

Newport have made a positive start under Mullins, who has quickly established consistency by naming the same starting XI in all three competitive fixtures to date.

That cohesion has been reflected in attack, with County scoring six goals in their past two matches after often struggling to find the target last term.

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The Exiles were ahead after just 15 seconds at the Memorial Stadium before ultimately falling short, and Mullins wants another fast start at Rodney Parade.

“Come Saturday at three o’clock, we’ve got to start right, start fast and hopefully we’re positive and can get the crowd with us,” he said.

The fixture also provides a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.

When the sides met at Rodney Parade in March, Newport climbed out of the League Two relegation zone for the first time in 151 days, a result that proved pivotal in their eventual survival.

Last term Newport won just six times at home, but having secured a 3-0 win to Rochdale on the opening day, the mood is now considerably brighter.

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But Mullins does not expect it to be easy for the visit of a Tranmere side showing signs of improvement under manager Darrell Clarke.

Before Clarke’s arrival earlier this summer, Rovers won just one of their final 12 league matches of last season as they finished two points behind the Exiles.

However, they have opened the new campaign unbeaten with four points from their first two League Two games and sit fourth.

“I’ve watched their two games and they work incredibly hard,” said Mullins on the test ahead of his side.

“They’ve got a bit of quality in their team as well, so we understand the threats that they pose.

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“Darrell Clarke’s teams are never easy to play against, and I’m sure he’ll have his team well drilled and well versed on us.”

Former Newport striker Courtney Baker-Richardson could also feature against his old club.

The forward scored four goals last season for County and made his first Tranmere appearance off the bench on the opening weekend of the campaign.

Newport midfielder Cole Jarvis, who played alongside Baker-Richardson last season, is anticipating a physical encounter.

“We’ve gone through some bits, and they seem a physical side,” said Jarvis.

“But I have no fear in us getting the three points.”