CIARAN Brennan believes he hasn’t shown his true quality yet at Newport County AFC – and the centre-back intends to impress with the ball at his feet to get the 9/10s.
The defender has been a key figure for the Exiles since signing from Sheffield Wednesday on a two-year deal in the summer.
Brennan moved to get regular action after being a fringe figure with the Owls and it has been mission accomplished; he has featured in 16 of 21 games in all competitions with a red card against Port Vale preventing that from being higher.
The 24-year-old has quickly become a mainstay of Nelson Jardim’s side and will need to be at his best on Saturday when County travel to Notts County (kick-off 12.30pm).
The Magpies are League Two’s pass masters but Brennan also intends to show that he is confident on the ball now that he has settled in by being solid.
“Last year was a frustrating one with things out of my control that were holding me back. I came here to play and that is exactly what I am doing,” said Brennan.
“I came here to be one of those 7 out of 10s every week and feel that I am doing that, so now it’s time to push on and show my real quality on the ball.
“I don’t think that I have shown what I can do, I have been quite solid defensively but feel that I have loads more qualities to show on the ball.
“I will be pushing to do that, and then get those 8 and 9s out of 10 every week!”
Brennan has settled into the side and has also learnt from a costly low moment.
The defender lost his cool in the clash with Vale when experienced midfielder Ben Garrity held his leg in a scuffle and provoked a response.
It wasn’t particularly aggressive but it was enough to warrant a red card and three games in the stands, then another on the bench when back from suspension.
“It was a learning experience and one of those things that you go through,” said Brennan, who was then followed off the pitch by fellow centre-back Kyle Jameson on a disastrous afternoon.
“I would like to think that it won’t happen again and you have to bounce back from it, which I feel that I have done by being pretty solid.”
Brennan will need to be that and more at Meadow Lane with County heading to the East Midlands after a goalless draw with Grimsby.
Jameson’s second suspension of the campaign led to Matt Baker moving into the middle with Cameron Evans and fit-again Shane McLoughlin the full-backs in the flat four in front of goalkeeper Nick Townsend.
“The clean sheet is something we want to build on and it’s a good foundation to win games. We had more than enough chances against Grimsby to win the game,” said Brennan.
“We were disappointed because we feel we deserved three points but we move on and there are 30 games to come with plenty of points to play for.
“The goals will come because we played some good stuff at times and defended well, we were pretty pleased with the performance.”
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