IT was excellent to see Newport bounce back from a hammering at Rochdale with an equally dominant display against York on Saturday.

The clash represented the first game this term which felt a lot like last season, namely that Newport seemed stronger, fitter and a lot more savvy than their opponents.

Indeed, having stated many times that I don't think the quality is that much greater in tier four than tier five, it was interesting to see Newport so easily cruise to victory.

It is noticeable in League Two that while the technique and ability of the players isn't necessarily a giant leap up, the gulf in fitness levels in humungous.

County can no longer out work and batter into submission physically inferior sides because these full time outfits are all as sharp and strong as each other.

Ball retention is far more important and to that end, Justin Edinburgh might have made a big discovery on Saturday.

A holding midfield is pretty much a must in the current game and that's why I think Max Porter's absence has been felt most acutely this term.

Porter isn't a better player than Byron Anthony or Aaron O'Connor, but he's proved more irreplaceable due to the specialty of his role.

However, Tom Naylor looked like the answer on Saturday.

Edinburgh has terrific options in central defence and the experiment of shifting Naylor forward has worked out really nicely for the Exiles.

That leaves Mike Flynn, Robbie Willmott, Adam Chapman, Ryan Burge or Lee Minshull to play their more natural games and to get forward, particularly taking the leash off of Chapman.

I'd be shocked if Naylor doesn't start tonight at Plymouth and I hope he gets a run in the side, because he looks a great fit for a difficult role.