Clarke: Newport County owe Rowberry a win against Carlisle

The boss in under pressure ahead of the League Two clash with the Cumbrians at Rodney Parade tomorrow (kick-off 3pm) because of a four-game losing streak.

The Exiles have taken just seven points from nine games but Clarke & Co have put their hands up to their failings.

“At the minute, if I'm brutally honest, the gaffer can't do any more for us as players,” said the 32-year-old centre-back.

“We are the ones that are letting him down and the spotlight normally shines on the manager in these scenarios.

“The boys have to take accountability; we haven’t been good enough of late and we owe him one.”

Clarke was a key figure in last season’s promotion push and the former Bristol Rovers and Walsall man’s experience will be invaluable in a high-pressure fixture.

EXPERIENCED: County defender James Clarke (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“It's been a difficult run but the boys are in positive spirits,” said Clarke, who made 38 appearances in his first campaign in Newport. “I don't recall having a season without a tough spell, everyone will go through a blip.

“Ideally it's not at the start of the season but we have enough experience, young lads and hungry players to get through it.”

The stats suggest that County have performed better than their results but they have paid the price for defensive slips.

Clarke knows that focus is imperative against a lively Carlisle side.

“As a centre-half, any error will normally end up with a shot,” he said. “It's about concentration and making the right decisions at the right moments.

“Unfortunately we have made a few errors and it's about rectifying them, because I wouldn't say we have come up against anyone who has really undone us.

“If we can keep our concentration then I am sure we can get ourselves a decent result.”

“We have been well in games, there have been some good performances so it's not all doom and gloom when you look back at it,” he continued. “Ideally we'll make a fast start but we'd take a scrappy 1-0.”