James Tilley isn’t keeping an account of his scoring spree at present – he’s just enjoying a deal he’s made with Johnnie Jackson.
The attacking midfielder’s opening brace in South Wales on Saturday took his total to seven in his eight competitive appearances so far for us, those goals having come in his last six outings.
“I’m not really taking any notice of that, I’m just enjoying each game,” admitted James after our 2-2 draw at Rodney Parade. “I’m taking it game-by-game to be honest and hope I keep scoring.
“I have got a little pact with the gaffer! He says as long as I do the defensive side of the work, I can go and express myself in the final third and I’m really enjoying that at the moment.”
James netted in the ninth minute and on the half hour, as we raced into a two-goal lead in the first half. He almost completed a perfect hat-trick after the break with a header on target.
“I think my eyes lit up when Ryan Johnson put that ball in,” said James. “Unfortunately, the keeper saved it.
“The coaching staff want me to shoot, every time I get in that area. The ball fell perfectly to me to take on the shot and I’m delighted that they both went in."
Although hosts Newport fought back to take a point, James reflected on a tough week in which we remain one of only a handful of clubs still with an unbeaten record in the Football League this season.
“Overall, it’s a good point for us as it’s a tough place to come,” said James. “Obviously we’re disappointed to have given up a two-goal lead, but after Wednesday night at Chelsea it was a massive shift from everyone today and we’ve got to take the positives out of it.
“It was just two lapses of concentration from us that cost us really. The boys put everything into the performance at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup though, and it was hard work coming here and trying to do it again.
“Every team that plays us – it’s not going to be an easy game for them. We’re just going to go into every game giving it everything.”
Photos: Dan Minto (Pro Sports Images).