NEWPORT County goalkeeper Glyn Thompson is hoping the Exiles finally have a settled back four after two months of extraordinary upheaval this season.

A defence ravaged by injuries, bad luck and numerous comings and goings has conceded 25 goals in 14 league and cup games but Thompson has maintained his excellent form of last season.

It is no coincidence that the ex-Fulham stopper has been between the sticks for all three of County’s clean sheets this season and Dean Holdsworth’s side will be looking to build on the 3-0 win over Bromley two weeks ago as they travel to Braintree this afternoon.

Thompson has seen summer recruits Paul Keddle, Kevin Stephens, NIck Skelton and David Collins depart, and skipper Ian Hillier sacked, with Ashley Vickers, Justyn Roberts and Paul Bignot coming in to play alongside Martyn Giles, a relative club veteran having signed way back in July.

The 27-year-old admits it has been difficult, with so many changes, to achieve a settled back line but he believes those that have come in have done well in the circumstances.

“The new boys have all slotted in really well,” he said. “They look extremely comfortable and although it’s obviously not a settled defence yet we are performing well and we believe we have turned the corner.”

Having been without a fixture in the past fortnight the Exiles face two games in three days with a trip to Weston-super-Mare on Monday night and Thompson says it has been frustrating to be training with no games to look forward to.

“Two weeks is a long time and it was a little frustrating because we felt we could have built on the feeling we had after that win over Bromley,” he added.

“But we’ve been training hard and we’re in a confident mood. Everyone knew that performance was coming, it was only a matter of time before we clicked and hopefully we can carry that on in these two games and get six points.”

l Contrary to reports that County’s home fixture with Hayes & Yeading had been moved to Friday, November 7, the club has now confirmed that the game will take place on Saturday, November 8.