NEWBRIDGE director of rugby Damien Cooper believes and Cross Keys coach Robert Beale is aware that the Welfare Ground club's current turmoil could inspire a big backs-to-the-wall display in Saturday's important Gwent derby.
Newbridge are in desperate need of points to escape the Welsh Premier Division bottom three relegation zone and on paper are really up against it.
They have lost both forwards coach Mike Watkins (resigned) and backs coach Jonathan Westwood (sacked) in the past fortnight and now face neighbours who have a 100% record against Gwent opposition.
And ironically Beale, one of the men in charge of tomorrow's visitors, was the man previously in charge at the Welfare Ground before himself being sacked and replaced - by Watkins and Westwood.
"Obviously I feel for Spike (Mike Watkins) and Jonathan having been in similar circumstances myself at the club," he said.
"At the end of the day it's always the coaches who carry the carry, and that's understandable and acceptable.
"We are all judged on results and we can put as much effort into it as we like, but if the results are not there, we go.
"I've still got a lot of friends at Newbridge and I hope something can be done to turn the situation around." He added: "I think it will be a difficult game. History suggests so.
"We are very focused and know exactly what we have to do to go there and win, which is what we will be trying to do.
"Sometimes turmoil and difficulties have a positive effect and could very well gel the players together in an endeavour to put the situation behind them.
"I'm pretty sure that will be the case on Saturday. I wouldn't expect anything less from the Newbridge players and certainly we have made the Cross Keys players very aware of that.
"It's also another local derby for us. Up to now we've done very well against sides from Gwent and it's crucial we try to keep that record intact."
Cooper, left holding the baby after the coaches' departure, said: "We have to put the problems of the past fortnight behind us and get on with things.
"We have a massive week with Cross Keys, Cardiff on Tuesday (at home) and Caerphilly (away) the following Saturday.
"If we can win two out of three it would turn things around again, and we are still fighting to get back the three points taken off us (by the WRU).
"We keep asking the boys for a performance and we are asking for a huge performance on Saturday. What we are looking for is that backs-to-the-wall mentality and fighting spirit.
"We were in the same position last year and dug ourselves out of it.
"I know I keep saying this, but I honestly believe if we can put a run of performances in that I know we are capable of and everyone gives everything they've got, displays full of pride and bags of guts, we can win games. I know we have the people who can do it."
Both clubs come together on the back of very disappointing displays last time, Newbridge beaten 38-11 at Pontypool and Cross Keys 44-13 at Cardiff.
Both are also below full strength, but it will certainly be full of interest.
Newbridge: C Wills, R Hallett, J Williams, G Bowen, M Addis, R Watts, M Taylor, R Davies, L Davies, C Fitzpatrick, M Peard, P Watkins, S Evans, S Coles, S Greedy. Replacements from rest of squad. Kick-off 2.30pm.
Cross Keys: D Miles, M McKee, G Turner, D Dark, D Price, S Mitchell, J Pizey, I George, G Price, C Gould, M Curtis, D Hudd, B Watkins, A Cox, W Thomas. Replacements from rest of squad. Meet Pandy Park 12.45pm.
* Newbridge last night appointed former Pontypool and Abertillery wing Steve Cross as backs coach. It is his first senior appointment.
"He comes highly recommended by several senior coaches," said Cooper, "and has done excellent work with the young Newport Gwent Dragons teams."
"We will advertise the forwards position on Monday but we have already had a lot of interest."
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