DEFENDER Darren Jones says the intensity of training sessions at Newport County AFC has gone from “zero to a thousand” since new boss Graham Westley replaced Warren Feeney.

County may be bottom of League Two but Westley wants his players to be top of the league in terms of fitness.

And, as they prepare to host table-toppers Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, Jones is convinced that the new training ground regime will soon produce results on the pitch.

“I’m sure the results would have changed because I do think we’ve got the right players here but whether it was a bit of bad luck or we weren’t working hard enough I don’t know,” said the centre-back.

“But the board made a decision to bring Graham in and I’m sure he’s going to push us in the right direction.

“His attention to detail is spot on and with the work-rate we do every day I’m sure the lads will be a lot fitter.

“We’ve gone from zero to a thousand within two weeks,” he added.

“It’s so much more intense. We’re doing a lot more, we’re getting stronger doing gym sessions two or three times a week.

“And after two or three weeks you’ll see a difference.”

In a 16-year career that has taken in eight clubs the 33-year-old admits he’s never worked as hard as he has since Westley’s arrival in Newport.

“I’ve never experienced this,” he said. “It’s been difficult. Players have had to adjust but it’s good.

“I’m coping with it. You’ve got to accept that it’s changed, get your head around it and get on with it – then you’ll benefit from it. You’ll only get fitter and stronger.

“And if you can’t get your head around it then Newport County isn’t for you.”

Westley was careful not to criticise the work done by Feeney but he admitted that the fitness levels needed to be improved when he took over.

“I heard Neil Warnock talking about Cardiff and he put it very well,” explained the Exiles boss.

“He said that he likes his team to play in a certain way and he needs his team to reach a certain level of fitness to play in that way.

“He’s totally respectful of Paul Trollope. Paul Trollope might look back and think I could have done it differently.

“Everybody lives and learns but I’m not interested in what’s gone before.

“What I’m interested in is playing a high-tempo brand of football and players will need a certain level of fitness to play that way.”

And Westley believes the players are responding well to his methods.

“I think the lads are welcoming the work,” he said. “I think they feel it’s needed and I think they’re feeling benefits from it.

“I’m certainly seeing a lot of smiles around the training ground.

“We’re all enjoying working together and I’ve been delighted with the response I’ve got.”