NERVOUS? How is your blood pressure? Any fingernails left?

We enter the play-offs and the terrifying prospect that, when I next write this column, County will either be consigned to another campaign in the Conference or a single step from the 25-year dream of playing in the Football League once again.

A few weeks ago it appeared all but certain that we were set for a battle of Wales in the semi-finals with County and Wrexham on a collision course, but now we know it’ll be Grimsby who stand between the Exiles and a second successive trip to Wembley.

The stakes are so high it’s impossible to predict the outcome of either semi-final, but I have a feeling the Exiles are happier to face Grimsby than Wrexham.

There would be a far bigger scrutiny from the Welsh media (excluding the Argus) had it been a battle of Wales in the semis and this way the Exiles can just prepare as they would to face any other outfit.

I take little from Saturday’s humbling 3-0 defeat to Grimsby other than a belief that one team had a significantly greater motivation than the other.

Was there an incentive for County to ensure Grimsby finished fifth and Wrexham fourth? Not really.

Grimsby had an incentive to play ‘unpredictable’ Newport in the play-offs, as opposed to a Kidderminster side who have won 25 of their last 29 league fixtures.

But perhaps the phoney war plays into Newport’s hands. For one thing, they will certainly have learned more about the Mariners than they have about Justin Edinburgh’s depleted side.

With the Exiles likely to set-up in a 5-3-2 formation I’m expecting an exceedingly cagey first leg and hopefully a bumper crowd and incredible afternoon on Sunday at Rodney Parade.

I maintain that the play-offs are an unexpected bonus for Newport, maybe a full two years before I expected such success and to that end I should be nothing but excited about what could be a terriffic week.

But I too am starting to worry, to fret, to concern myself with all the possible scenarios for what is ahead.

That’s the wrong way to look at it.

This has been an amazing season for County, now it’s time for one last push and the rewards are truly tremendous. Let’s do it.