WALES legend Mark Hughes has vowed that Newport County AFC won’t have an enjoyable experience in front of a bumper crowd at Bradford City, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Exiles go on the road to Valley Parade in League Two this afternoon, a happy hunting ground since the Bantams returned to the fourth tier in 2019.

County took the spoils with a superb 3-0 win in 2020 – arguably their best performance of a promotion push – and last season battled for a 0-0 draw.

Bradford had a poor record on home soil in 2021/22 but Hughes, who took over from Derek Adams in February, is determined to reward their loyal support.

“Last year we were conscious of the fact that too many teams came to Valley Parade and had an enjoyable experience,” said the manager, whose side drew 0-0 with Doncaster on opening day in front of a crowd just shy of 20,000.

“That is not our intention this year. We want teams turning up and thinking they have to play exceptionally to get anything from the game.

South Wales Argus: Cameron Norman was denied a penalty in Bradford last seasonCameron Norman was denied a penalty in Bradford last season

“We have the ability to do that. We always want to improve, particularly going forward. We have great options, and everyone is fighting for places.

“We have to keep going and hope that, momentum wise, we are in a good place for Saturday and the rest of the season.”

The Bantams, like the Exiles, head into the game after a Carabao Cup upset against Championship opposition.

Bradford beat Hull 2-1 thanks to an Andy Cook double and the boss wants that to ignite their campaign after they failed to make pressure county at Doncaster then threw away a point deep in injury time at Barrow.

“We want to continue winning. It is important we go on a run now,” said Hughes.

“The first two games were disappointing, but last Tuesday showed everything we have been working on, and was the closest to where we need to be this season.

“That is encouraging, because I feel we can better our performances and we are all looking forward to Saturday.

“We are most likely to dominate possession against sides in League Two. That is how the last two games have panned out and that will probably continue.

“We have shown against Hull that if we lack that control in possession, we can go other ways.

“Having that ability to react and adjust to what the opposition are setting us shows we have more than one gameplan and we will need that variation to our game on Saturday, and throughout the season.”