GRAHAM Coughlan says it shows his Newport County AFC side disrespect to suggest that today’s League Two finale with Crewe Alexandra is dead rubber.
Both the Exiles and the Railwaymen are safe from relegation but unable to push into the play-off places ahead of the clash at Rodney Parade (kick-off 12.30pm).
However, there is a top-half finish to go for with 15th-placed County guaranteed to climb above Crewe with victory and potentially end the campaign in 10th if other results go their way.
“I’ve been in the game years and I never get it when people say ‘dead rubber’. I just don’t know what that means because every player will be playing for something,” said Coughlan, who was a central defender with Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday and Shrewsbury.
“Regardless of league positions and points, you can strip it right back to basic professionalism and pride, wanting to put on a good show for your own family in attendance.
“Throughout my career I’ve heard about ‘dead rubbers’ and I’ve thought that is a load of nonsense, there is no such thing.
“I always find that disrespectful to professional people when they mention that, there is no such thing in any sport. There is always something to play for.”
County were just two points above the relegation zone when Coughlan and trusted assistant Joe Dunne took the reins.
They are ranked eighth in the division for points per game since that day and, after an impressive 2-1 win at Gillingham, are looking to end a run of following wins with losses by turning over Crewe, who they beat 2-1 at Gresty Road in December.
“Results possibly could have been better in our first two months but we put a lot of emphasis on fitness and intensity,” said Coughlan.
“We asked a lot of the players and you could physically see in the first 10 to 12 games that it was hurting them.
“What a great group of lads to come through that period and now we are coming on strong at the back end of the season, and if the truth be known we don’t really want it to end.”
Midfielder Scot Bennett could return from concussion but County are still without defenders Declan Drysdale, James Clarke and Adam Lewis plus striker Offrande Zanzala.
Coughlan revealed on Friday that it will be a farewell outing for some after County were unable to match offers from elsewhere, with Cameron Norman, Priestley Farquharson, Aaron Lewis and captain Mickey Demetriou among those whose deals are expiring.
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