'YOU can make the difference between winning and losing', Newport Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner tells fans on the eve of his first home Celtic League game in charge.

The Dragons face leaders Ulster at Rodney Parade tomorrow night, the first at home after three on the road, and Turner urges supporters to get behind the team in sizeable numbers.

"It's good to be back," said Turner, a former Rodney Parade crowd pleaser as a goal kicking outside half and captain.

"It's important players realise that just by being at home it doesn't automatically win you games, you've got to go through the process and put in a performance.

"But I hope we build up a passionate support base, though you can only do that by winning games. If the fans can get behind us then I want them to be worth ten points to us.

"If we win on Saturday we'll go above Ulster in the table (unless Ulster achieve a losing bonus point while the Dragons don't earn a bonus).

"It's good to be playing football, but I don't intend being coach of a good losing side. We need to win games if we are to continue to improve."

Dragons captain Jason Forster echoes his coach's views about the importance of the fans. "They're always worth a few points to us," he said. "We are trying to play a good brand and style of rugby, and sometimes it takes time and you need patience.

"But we are going out into the Valleys to train and the fans ought to come and see some world class players on their doorstep, it would be silly not to."

It has been a tough opening for Turner, in his first spell as head coach after being assistant at five different English clubs in the Premiership - Sale, Bedford, Gloucester, Saracens and Harlequins.

"It's been a difficult first three games to manage, but we feel we are on the right track," he said. "We've got to do the basics well which we haven't been doing, control territory and look after the ball better.

"They are the core to finding a winning formula and the reasons we didn't win at the Ospreys and Leinster." Dragons forwards coach Leigh Jones has few doubts. "They are by far the best group of players I've had the pleasure of coaching, they are challenging but open minded and it's when, not if they get success," he said enthusiastically.

"Paul has been a breath of fresh air and he has made no secret that he wants us to play. The players enjoy his approach, now we need a few results.

"We are only 30-35% there which means there is a lot of growth there and a clear route forward. The players are happy with the direction and the way things are being done."

But Ulster are a tough obstacle for the Dragons to overcome. "They are a good solid side with no frills, they do the basics well and they've got a class No 10," said Turner. "It's going to be a good challenge for us."