RODNEY Parade has become used to managers coming and going over the last few years, with Warren Feeney the latest to leave Newport County AFC following a disastrous run of results.

First-team coaches Sean McCarthy and James Bittner are the men charged with picking up the pieces for today’s League Two home game against Stevenage (3pm), just three days after Feeney and assistant Andy Todd were sacked.

McCarthy said there was a sombre mood around the club’s Spytty Park training base on Thursday when Feeney and Todd came to say their goodbyes to the players and staff.

And, despite feeling that the duo might have been given a bit longer to get the Exiles away from the bottom of the table, McCarthy knows football can be a cruel business.

He also insists the squad is professional enough to put the turbulent events of the past week behind them as they look to finally get their season up and running in front of the County faithful.

“Warren and Andy came in and said their goodbyes to the players which was very good of them and it was a bit of a sombre mood,” said the joint caretaker boss.

“We then had to go out and train and they’ve been professional and got on with it.

“It’s a points business, I understand that, but I’m sure given a bit more time we could have possibly turned it around.

“That wasn’t the case so the club have had to make changes, they’ve done it, and we have to move on.

“You’re probably one or two games away from the sack in football, even if you go on a run of winning three games.

“That’s football and it will never change. I’ve been in football a long time and the club has made a decision and it has to move on.”

McCarthy backed defender Dan Butler to learn from the mistake that cost County at Grimsby on Tuesday night, and he also praised the fans, including those who made the long trip to Blundell Park in midweek.

“I’m sure the supporters will get behind the team, that’s what we want from them, and they’ve been fantastic this season,” he added.

“There were 39 at Grimsby the other night who probably didn’t get home until the same time as us at about 3.30am, and the players and staff appreciate that. Those 39 supporters would have seen how well the lads played on Tuesday night.

“We’ll keep plugging away and hopefully that little bit of luck will go our way.

“It’s our home advantage today and we’ve got to kick-off on the right note, get the supporters behind us, get a high tempo going and give them something to cheer about.”

Meanwhile, Joss Labadie and Jamie Turley remain sidelined through injury and are still a couple of weeks away from returning to the fold.