BOSS Graham Coughlan has called on Newport County AFC to ‘circle the wagons’ after being caught in a ‘hurricane’ of things going against them.

The Exiles suffered a 4-1 defeat to Bradford City on Saturday after making a shocking start at Rodney Parade.

County, tipped by many to have a season of struggle, made a promising start to the campaign but have been hit hard by injury.

James Clarke limped off after appearing to pull his groin against the Bantams and looks set to join fellow defenders Kyle Jameson (hip) and Matt Baker (hamstring), midfielder Harry Charsley (ankle) and forwards Offrande Zanzala (knee )and Seb Palmer-Houlden (hamstring) on the sidelines.

The Exiles do have captain and centre-back Ryan Delaney back from suspension for Saturday’s trip to Salford, while Baker is nearing a return, but Coughlan isn’t blessed with options in his bid for a more solid showing.

After taking two points from their last four fixtures, the manager says staying tight is imperative while the medical team attempt to boost their numbers.

South Wales Argus: THUMPED: Andy Cook heads Bradford in front at Newport CountyTHUMPED: Andy Cook heads Bradford in front at Newport County (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“The circumstances that we are in at this moment, we are in a bit of a storm,” said Coughlan. “There is a hurricane blustering around us with decisions, errors, anything that can go against us is going against us.

“When you are in a situation like this we need to circle the wagons, roll our sleeves up and look after each other. We can’t jump ship. We are all in this together and will look after each other.

“They know the standards that we expect, they fell below them against Bradford but I dare say that will happen again between now and the end of the season.

“The lads are not daft, they know the standards they can reach and that they got nowhere near that in the first half.

“The game was practically over in the first half an hour and that’s not happened to us before. I will back them, stand with them and protect them as much as I can.”

Coughlan said some of his player ‘went missing’ and ‘shied away from a fight’ in the hammering by Bradford.

But, just as he did after the 4-1 loss at Crawley, the manager held his hands up to mistakes.

“I am not going to let anybody cane my players. We didn’t turn up and I’ve got to shoulder the blame,” he said.

“It was my team, I put those players out on the pitch and the criticism should be chucked in my direction.

“The inconsistency is a concern for me and something I need to address but the defeat is on my head, come after me if anybody wants to have a go because I will stick up for those in that dressing room all day long.

“But clearly they know that wasn’t good enough, clearly they know that they made mistakes, clearly they know they let themselves and the club down.”

County have never beaten Salford in the league but the Ammies, who take on Burnley in the Carabao Cup tomorrow, have not taken a point from their last five fixtures.