NEWPORT County AFC manager Graham Coughlan says several players are set for the exit at Rodney Parade because their League Two season has ‘fizzled out’.

The Exiles suffered a fourth defeat on the spin when beaten 1-0 by relegation-threatened Grimsby at Blundell Park.

Danny Rose scored the only goal of the game in the 33rd minute when he exploited a mix-up between goalkeeper Nick Townsend and striker Offrande Zanzala.

County’s poor run has seen them drop out of contention for the play-offs and they remain two points shy of Coughlan’s target to match last season’s tally of 57.

Worrying, the performances have dropped off and that means that the boss is set to wield the axe.

“It's sad looking at some of our players from where they were to where they are now,” said Coughlan, whose squad is stretched by injury.

“We weren't good enough and were lucky that it was only 1-0. It's not a nice place to be at this moment in time.

“We've got four games left and we will see what the future holds for a number of these players.

“Those who step into the team have got to give what the other lads were doing, and unfortunately one or two players have fallen short of that. The players can't turn around and tell me that they haven't been warned.”

South Wales Argus: BATTLE: County striker Offrande Zanzala tussles for the ball at GrimsbyBATTLE: County striker Offrande Zanzala tussles for the ball at Grimsby (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

County were tipped for a relegation scrap at the start of the campaign but were on the fringes of the scrap for the top seven until the four-game losing streak.

“The season has fizzled out. This group of lads have come a long way, they have done brilliantly, but the season is not 38 or 39 games, it's 46 games,” said Coughlan.

“As professional footballers they need to show some personal pride and professional standards.

“They can't have me driving them and pushing them all the time because there is only so much I can do for them.

“I just hope one or two of them don't waste their careers because one or two probably won't be with us.

“That's sad, because I wanted to hold onto this group but they are leaving me with no choice because of the last four weeks.

“Football is a short career and you have to make the most of every moment and every game. One or two players have probably got three or four games left at this club and that will be it for them. God knows where they will go after that.”

Grimsby needed the points to stretch away from the relegation zone and Coughlan was relieved that his squad aren’t in that situation given their recent lack of fight.

“It's okay having a manager who is ambitious but you need to have players that are connected and show that ambition and drive,” he said.

“We are so lucky that we have got to 55 points because this group of lads have shown over the last four games that we are probably not up for the battle.

“We are not up to the standards that are needed, we are missing a lot of players but there are enough lads on that pitch to do better than they are doing.

“I don't like what I am seeing, it's not nice but one or two of the players need to take ownership and look themselves in the mirror.”

County now have a run of three home games with Accrington next up on Tuesday night, followed by Tranmere, Salford and a final day trip to Bradford.