Newport RFC Head Coach Ian Bletcher insists that tomorrow’s match against league leaders Ampthill has come at the ideal time - despite suffering an embarrassing 66 point defeat at Luton.
The Fishes were hammered 79-13 by their hosts last weekend.
That was their biggest defeat of a so-far disappointing campaign and leaves them floundering second-from-bottom in National Division Three Midlands.
Few will give them much hope against Bedfordshire-based Ampthill, who have been beaten just once so far this season and have scored 231 more points than Newport.
But Bletcher believes that his side have what it takes to bounce back from humiliation and pull off one of the shocks of the season.
He said: “It was an embarrassing result but it has to be put into context.
“Luton are a very professional and a very good side. But this is absolutely the ideal follow-up game for us.
“The players have the opportunity to cause of the biggest upsets in the league
“If we can get some ball and move it we could produce a shock.”
Newport are hoping to welcome back five absentees for the visit of Ampthill.
Neil Weston should be able to start after shaking off a bout of flu, while Rob Clymer, Dan Duggan and Sam Lewis have recovered from injury.
Matt Curgenven is also back after returning from army duties.
Bletcher added that the return of the established first team players would make a huge difference to the team.
He said: “If Manchester United were missing 65 per cent of their team, even they would struggle.
“If the players were fighting amongst themselves and complaining then I’d be concerned.
“But morale is good and the quiet determination has really given me hope for the future.
“Many years of coaching have taught me that the mountains are high and the valleys are deep.
“You just have to keep believing in what you’re doing and keep fighting.”
Newport were behind against Luton before they had even touched the ball, centre Keanan Sloman racing through straight from kick off.
The excellent Tomasi Tanumi kept Newport in touch with two conversions, but three further tries put the home side 24-6 ahead early on.
Luton went further ahead with another score under the posts, but Tanumi did restore some pride with a brilliant try from inside his own 22, followed by a neat conversion, to make it 31-13 at the interval.
But the second half was nothing short of a disaster for the Fishes, who flopped to a further six unanswered tries and a result which leaves them needing a mid season turnaround to salvage their season.
With a possibility that three teams could go down Newport must try to keep themselves in touch with the main pack to avoid being cut adrift with four sides now looking destined to be fighting the drop.