Newport RFC boss Gareth Davies has called on his team to up the ante, saying: “We need 15 lads all singing from the same song sheet.”
Newport’s survival hopes were dealt a blow last weekend with a dismal 24-42 home defeat against South Leicester.
Davies conceded that some of his players had failed to perform - and urged them to step up their game at Peterborough tomorrow.
He said: “Perhaps some of the lads could try a bit harder and put a bit more in.
“I’m not going to name them publicly, but they know who they are.
“It’s up to them to sort that out.
“We just don’t have the strength in depth to drop players when maybe they should be.
“We need 15 lads all singing from the same song sheet. One or two off their game effects the whole team.”
With a small squad, Newport have little option but to name a similar starting XV for tomorrow’s crucial clash at Peterborough.
Skipper Craig Ingram has been suffering with sore teeth this week after a heavy tackle, but he should be given the nod to start.
Newport know exactly what to expect at London Road, a ground where they have struggled in recent years.
Davies added: “It’s going to be another bruising forward battle.
“We need to bounce back. If we can go 80 minutes like the first 20 against South Leciester, then we’d be unstoppable. But we can’t sustain it for a full match.
“We all know what needs to be done and we need to stay tight as a unit.
“We can look at the fixtures and predict what is going to happen, but we can only concentrate what is infront of us.
“We are still masters of our own destiny.
“Peterborough had ambitions of being in the top two or three this season - like everyone else.
“They haven’t quite reached those standards, but they are a tough side.”
Newport were beaten 36-27 against mid table Peterborough earlier in the season.
The Cambridgeshire side stuttered a little after that result but have hit back with four wins from five since the turn of the year.
Newport, meanwhile, must battle for points in the remaining seven matches as they try to avoid the drop.
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