Nicky Maynard relishing return to Cardiff with Newport

The former Bluebirds striker, who endured an injury-hit spell in the capital between 2012 and 2015, is relishing County's self-imposed Exile.

They are escaping the Rodney Parade pitch problems for their next two home fixtures, hosting Bradford City in the capital this evening (kick-off 7pm) before entertaining Leyton Orient on March 20.

The short trip to Cardiff should suit the promotion hopefuls, who have had to change from the expansive style that helped them start the season with a bang.

"Playing at Cardiff City Stadium will help us, hopefully, but it is easy saying it now," said the former Bluebird.

"We've still got to produce. At the end of these two home games we will see if the switch was worth it."

It's a double-edged sword for County, they are looking forward to two games on Cardiff's grass but they also know that they need to find a way to win on their own bobbly surface for the six games left in Newport.

Nicky Maynard has endured a frustrating start to life in Newport

"Some of the other teams are better prepared to play long and play off the big man up front than we are," admitted Maynard.

"We need to adapt to be able to play that way to get three points at Rodney Parade. That isn't in our DNA, so it isn't a strength of ours.

"We want to come away with three points but, more importantly, we want to enjoy the football we are playing.

"Even in the Tranmere game (a 1-0 loss at Prenton Park) we played well without getting the rub of the green.

"We know that on a decent pitch, if we can play the way we want to play, we are a match for anyone and probably one of the better teams in the league.

"We knew the pitch would be a lot better at Colchester than at home and we knew that we'd come away with three points if we played like we can play.

"Our pitch we can't risk playing backwards to come forwards because the ball can bobble on the pitch. We are a good possession-based team and we like to build through the thirds to create more chances."

County were top of League Two when the January transfer window opened but were on the slide when Maynard arrived on deadline day.

Nicky Maynard on the run at Rodney Parade

The slump continued during his first month in amber but the veteran striker remained confident he would enjoy the promotion challenge that he signed up for.

"The lads looked upbeat and that's the way we've been even though we've been on a bad run," he said.

"We've always come into work the next day knowing we're still in a great position and that we've got a great team to get us over the line.

"Colchester was a good start for us getting the three points after the disappointing result at Tranmere. Now we want to get a run going."

County haven't won back to back games since December 8 and stringing together a solid run would be huge in a turbulent division.

"Every weekend someone you expect to win loses and anyone can beat anyone. It is going to be about consistency from here to the end of the season," said Maynard.

"We were consistent at the start of the season, having a good run, and now we have had a consistently bad run. Hopefully we can go back to a good run now."