WELL, the last week has certainly seen an upturn in fortunes for me and, more importantly, the team with one win, two clean sheets and four precious points.

I was delighted to be back in the starting XI and so proud to captain my hometown team but the biggest thing for me is the team doing well and it always will be.

I’m a Newport boy and a Newport County fan at the end of the day so I always want the boys to do well with or without me.

And we desperately needed that three points at Torquay last week.

Yes it wasn’t pretty and we should have won it more comfortably against ten men but we got over the line thanks to Chris Zebroski’s expertly taken goal.

And the new boys at the back have really made a big difference since they arrived just over a week ago.

Everyone knows the quality and experience of Darcy Blake and he’s settled in superbly and already shown that he’s far too good for this level.

David Pipe will remind me that he won a Wales cap once upon a time but it’s given everyone a lift to bring in a player like Darcy who was playing international football as recently as October 2012.

The real revelation, though, has been young Kevin Feely alongside Darcy. For a kid of 21 he’s done brilliantly and with Darcy alongside him we have a good solid base.

Kevin McLoughlin behind them is in great form as well and Andrew Hughes and Tom Naylor have also done really well and the two clean sheets shows you that.

I thought we should have beaten Bury on Tuesday. We started slowly but we dominated after the break and played some good football.

I think they were happier with the point than us because every point on the board is vital when you’re down the wrong end of the table like they are.

I think we’ve pretty much secured our Football League status for another year now, which is a great achievement, but the same can’t be said of today’s visitors Portsmouth.

They are in turmoil after sacking their manager this week and in real danger of playing in the Conference next season.

For a club that size to be in that position would be unbelievable really.

They are a massive club and they should be in the Football League so I hope they pick up a bit and get some results on the board – after today of course.

The reverse fixture at Fratton Park in December was obviously one of the highlights of the season for me with two goals to win the game.

The goal at Wycombe on Boxing Day was probably my highlight of the season but Pompey away was special.

The atmosphere there with so many home fans is great and it would be a real shame for everyone in League Two to lose them.

But we can’t afford any sentimentality today. We need the points as well and hopefully we can take advantage of their problems.

Finally this week I wanted to stick up for my teammate and a good friend in Danny Crow.

Danny was taken off at half-time against Bury on Tuesday and I’m told he’s been taking a bit of stick on various websites for his performances.

If I was Danny I wouldn’t take any notice of his critics and I’ve told him he shouldn’t let it affect him.

Some fans might not appreciate what he brings to the team but the players certainly do and he’s been a big part of our success over the last two seasons.

His work rate is superb and he’s sacrificed himself in terms of goals for the good of the team.

He shouldn’t get stick for that because the team is all that matters in the end and he wants what we all want – success for Newport County.