Newport County won't take improving Scunthorpe United lightly

Scunthorpe are 22nd in the table but they travel to Rodney Parade boosted by last week’s impressive 3-0 win over Northampton Town and the Iron are now on a three-game unbeaten run having lost only one of their past six in the league.

And Nurse, who scored a spectacular stoppage-time winner in the Exiles last league match against Carlisle United on October 5, knows the Iron will be difficult opponents tomorrow.

“I think every game in League Two is tough,” said the Bristol City loanee.

“Scunthorpe United haven’t been on a great run of form to start the season, but you can’t take them lightly and we’ll have to be at our best to get all three points.

“We’ve played a lot of the teams who are towards the top of the league already this season and performed brilliantly against them.

“But our mindset never changes, we go into every game with the same mentality of getting all three points and that won’t change against a Scunthorpe team who are currently towards the bottom of the table.”

County are unbeaten at home in the league since February and Nurse says the fans have had a massive influence on that record.

“We’re hard to beat at Rodney Parade,” he said.

“The crowd always help, when players are tired the support does help because it gives you a little extra boost to see through the game.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing at Rodney Parade – playing in front of a big crowd every week is what every footballer wants.

“I haven’t played that many games yet, but I’ve started working my way into the team now and hopefully I can get a place in the starting XI.”

The winner against Carlisle and a man-of-the-match performance in the Leasing.com Trophy against Exeter City have certainly pushed the left-sided utility man’s cause.

Speaking to the club’s official matchday programme, Nurse reflected on his winner a fortnight ago.

“Rodney Parade erupted – I was in dreamland so I couldn’t really take it all in, but it was a great feeling for myself and the boys,” said the 20-year-old.

“The game against Exeter was good as well because I thought I put in a good performance and got man of the match.

“I’m hoping I’ve given the gaffer something to think about and I’d love to be playing every week.”

Standing in his way is Ryan Haynes and Nurse admits that it will be hard to dislodge the former Shrewsbury Town defender.

“Ryan is a great player and he’s playing really well at the moment,” he said. “I can play different positions, left wing is another option, so hopefully myself and Ryan can play together in the same team.”

Buy tomorrow's Newport County AFC official matchday programme for the full interview with George Nurse

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