JOE DAY admits he’s been busier than he’d have liked so far this season, but he’s still enjoying the new and more expansive Newport County AFC.

Thought the Exiles are bottom of the table with just a point, fans are generally being positive about the brand of football being served up under boss Terry Butcher, who is putting emphasise on width and attacking play.

And Day, one of the few players remaining at the club from last season, is enjoying life under the new regime, as well as a fresh goalkeeping rivalry.

“It’s been enjoyable, I am enjoying the new management, everyone knows his football career and what an English football legend he is, it is great to play under a manager of that stature,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying it and I’m glad he’s choosing me to play!

“We are better than where we are in the table, at times we’ve been playing some great stuff and people have been saying that we’ve been playing some great football that they enjoy watching.

“The team has a more expansive focus, it’s a more exciting style, which I enjoy being a part of, but we need to match it with results.”

Day feels his rivalry for the number one jersey with summer signing Rhys Taylor can only benefit both player.

“Rhys Taylor and I have a great competition going and you need that, I think it’s very healthy and keeps you on top of your game,” he said.

“Competition has always been the case for me since I joined, last season Jamie Stephens and Lenny Pidgeley and this since Rhys, but I think it can only benefit us both, because you both have to raise your game, I think it’s good.

“Rhys has a good background, he provides rivalry but you also learn things from each other.

“I came from non-league with Rushden and Diamonds looking to play my way up and that’s a different story from Rhys who came from Chelsea and is now working his way back up.”

Day is now focused on helping County improve their form.

“It’s not ideal so far, we’ve conceded a lot of goals, which is never nice and it’s not been through lack of effort or lack of trying,” he said.

“We want to turn it around as soon as we can.

“Because when we do get that first win the weight is off your shoulders and then we’ll play even better football.”

Day admits having several young defenders rotating in and out of the side due to injury, has been detrimental.

“There have been a lot of forced changes in the defence, it makes it hard, but the young lads are learning quickly about every little mistake being punished in this league,” he said.

However, there is one youngster Day is proud to see no longer stood in front of him on a Saturday afternoon.

“We are thrilled for Regan, it’s a feeling of joy for him, everyone is happy for him, he deserves it,” Day said of 17-year old Regan Poole, who departed County on deadline day to join Manchester United.

“The competence he showed in League Two was unbelievable and all the players wish him all the best.

“Hopefully he can have a big future there, I think he’ll force his way through and I’d love to see him as a first team player there.

“But whatever happens, he has the attributes to be a Premier League player, he has the confidence on the ball and physically he will only get better and stronger.”