THE Graham Westley era at Newport County AFC did not exactly start with a bang on Saturday.

I wasn’t at Yeovil Town – the only League Two match I’ve missed so far this season – but by all accounts the Exiles were worthy of a point and unfortunate to come away with nothing following Dan Butler’s late own goal.

Westley has made a positive impression off the field in his various press conferences and charmed fans at the meet the manager event last week and by chatting with travelling supporters at Yeovil.

But he’s never suggested that he’s a miracle worker.

He’s confident that he can lift the team off the foot of the table and away from relegation trouble and that’s a belief that I share – despite that worrying five-point gap to safety.

But it’s inevitable that any upward momentum will take time to build.

Neil Warnock may have had an instant impact at Cardiff City but he’s been aided by four new signings.

Westley doesn’t have that sort of financial backing at Rodney Parade.

John Sheridan’s arrival 12 months ago was followed by a draw and two defeats before the team embarked on a 10-match unbeaten run so an unlucky bounce off Butler’s shin shouldn’t immediately puncture the positivity that followed Westley’s appointment.