Hayden Mullins is happy for Newport County to keep going under the radar as underdogs after their encouraging start to League Two.

The Exiles started 2026-27 as one of the favourites to struggle after avoiding relegation on the final day last season.

However, they have started strongly and sit 14th in a congested table, two points off the play-off spots and six clear of the drop zone.

Last Friday Newport enjoyed an eye-catching 4-1 win against much-fancied Chesterfield, but Mullins is content to go about their business quietly.

He said: "We are happy when we are the underdogs. We have our own targets in the dressing room and know what we want to try and do.

"We have played a number of good teams. Salford have been really good and they beat us in the 90th minute, Chesterfield are spoken about as promotion hopefuls, Cheltenham were third and we had 15 shots against them and they had five.

"We are who we are, and hopefully will have a promising season."

County are unbeaten at Rodney Parade in all competitions in 2026-27, profiting from a pragmatic and aggressive approach.

"It's the way that we play our game. It's a hard attacking brand to tie down because we play to our strengths," said Mullins.

"Our strengths will not always be the prettiest. We know what we are and how to hurt the opposition.

"We are a tough, strong, aggressive team that plays with really good intensity."

Newport host Crystal Palace Under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday (19:00 GMT) and entertain Walsall in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday (15:00 GMT).