NEWPORT County AFC saw their hopes of staying in League Two enhanced without kicking a ball on Saturday but there’s no chance of manager Warren Feeney letting his players take life easy.

County’s home game against Barnet was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at Rodney Parade.

But defeats for the bottom two – York City and Dagenham & Redbridge – ensured the Exiles remain seven points above the relegation zone.

Feeney paid tribute to the work of his predecessor John Sheridan and reiterated his belief that County can beat the drop.

“We are still in it but we’re sat in a healthier position and we’ve had our little blip, hopefully,” said the Exiles boss.

“What John did was fantastic – taking a club rock bottom of the League to where they are now and the credit goes to him.

“I just wanted to not change a lot but tweak a few things.

“It’s going to be difficult. Every game is a must-not-lose and there are going to be twists and turns, ups and downs but we’ve just got to worry about ourselves.

“I have every confidence in the players – we’ve got a group together, we’re organised and we’ve got enough quality in there.”

Feeney says the players and fans should not be satisfied with mere survival, however. He is aiming higher.

“It’s not just staying up; I want them to push as high as they can because you shouldn’t be happy just to finish where you are,” he said.

“You want to keep driving yourselves on day after day.

“You wish you were sitting there in mid-table because you lose a game and you could be right back in it.

“But I’m a positive person and I said to the players we need to start going the other way and not get dragged back into anything.”

Feeney is pleased with his seven additions in January and he’s confident he will be allowed to strengthen further if necessary.

“No one is guaranteed to play here,” he said. “The position we’re in it’s a sticky period.

“Yes we’ve got a little bit of a gap but you know how quickly football can turn around.

“They’ve got to hit the ground running and everyone has got to be strong and disciplined.

“I’m not one who’s going to let people slack. I want people who are going to train the way they’re going to play on a Saturday.

“I don’t know how much I’ll get [for new additions],” he added. “I keep all that to the Trust but I must admit that the board have been absolutely fantastic with me.

“They haven’t said no to anything. I’ve asked the questions and they’ve been absolutely fantastic.”