SO Newport County's New Year is off to a miserable start after their shock 2-1 defeat to bottom-placed Northampton Town.

The comments on our website were surprisingly critical of the Exiles, bearing in mind that they currently sit in a position in League Two far in excess of what anyone realistically could've hoped for this season. A select few comments on the messageboard defy all belief, though the majority are far less hysterical and more measured.

Was the Northampton result and performance disappointing? Of course. But let's not forget the start Newport County AFC made to 2013. They lost 5-0 at home to the most infuriating club in English football, Forest Green Rovers, in an absolute massacre.

The response was a lot less measured then. Justin Edinburgh was a clueless idiot and the club had little chance of even getting into a playoff position.

Of course, the reality was somewhat different and 2013 would become one of the greatest years in the history of Newport County, Ironside or Exile.

There is every chance 2014 could go the same way, County in the mix for at least a play-off berth and impressing for the majority of the campaign.

They currently have a problem with scoring goals but I can't pretend it's an issue keeping me up at night.

I firmly believe Christian Jolley will go on a run once he breaks his duck and Conor Washington is a constant menace, even when he isn't scoring.

Danny Crow isn't a player you measure in goals, his contribution is more as a link-man and his win percentage record is exceptionally high in an Amber shirt.

Having Chris Zebroski and Aaron O'Connor back would make a huge difference, of course, but in their absence it appears Edinburgh is ready to bring in another forward anyway.

That will give Newport big fire power and they have everything to play for in the coming weeks and months as they bid for a position in League One.

I bet you wouldn't have believed that after the Forest Green result. It's a funny old game...