I’VE had to laugh at the notion that I’ve not been positive enough about Newport County in recent weeks and months.

Despite repeatedly and repeatedly using this column as a forum to back the Supporters’ Trust takeover of the club and despite being a member of the Trust, apparently I have a vendetta against them for raising two legitimate issues in the past few months.

Despite Newport County having a truly rotten FA Cup record, apparently I’m attempting to undermine team confidence by “dredging up past results.”

Last week I also opined that County were set to be in a relegation battle for the remainder of the campaign, despite an impressive recent run, but that too, was squashed as negative talk from a negative reporter. One of the nicer things to be written!

However, in a classic case of giving the people what they want, because remember, this is an opinion column; I am now going to hit you hard with some positivity about the Exiles, with a whopping ten of reasons we can be optimistic.

ONE: County are four games unbeaten. Yes, it might be after a disappointing draw to a non-league side, but the Exiles are also three unbeaten in the league.

TWO: John Sheridan has made an immediate impact. County look better organised, more tactically consistent and more confident.

THREE: Signings. Perhaps this is a continuation of the previous point, but Scot Bennett, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and Tommy O’Sullivan have been key to County’s improvement. We must also give partial credit to Terry Butcher and his team, because Janoi Donacien has also been very good.

FOUR: Staff who can relate is also an important thing. Russell Osman was a long time removed from a similar role to the one he had this season, whereas Warren Feeney is barely out of the game as a player. Mike Flynn’s credentials and association with the club speak for themselves.

FIVE: Signings from Butcher’s regime are certainly showing signs of improvement, with no player better demonstrating that than Lenell John-Lewis. We should not be surprised. John-Lewis always delivers heading up to Christmas. Either with goals or adverts that make me want to vomit and ruin great songs.

SIX: Home results have to improve. County last won at home eight months ago. I last saw them win at home ten months ago. This can’t and won’t go on.

SEVEN: The Trust, yes, the Trust. County were being mismanaged, even though, as I’ve expressed time and again, it’s unfair to blame one individual when they had the rug pulled out from under him. However, under Trust stewardship, we can now be fully confident the club will be managed going forward with financial responsibility and with a genuine eye on tomorrow, not just ensuring good times yesterday and hopefully today.

EIGHT: Assets, another key factor as the Exiles might once again be in a position to secure their immediate future by selling one of the crown jewels. County have already turned down £80,000 for Aaron Collins, but the chance to receive a six figure sum in January could allow Sheridan to drastically reshape his squad, if he feels he needs to.

NINE: Fans, it’s sad that attendances are understandably down considering how the Exiles have fared so far this term, it’s a testament to Newport supporters that Rodney Parade is a positive place on match days. The fans only turned during the defeat to Crawley, and they had every right to.

TEN: Still in the cup. A draw with Brackley it may have been, but facts are facts. Newport County are two wins away from a match that could potentially net them £1 million. It’s a long shot, but it’s still a possibility.