Despite seeing his Exiles seal an impressive victory at AFC Wimbledon, he insists there won’t be any focus on a top-seven finish just yet.
Goals from Bryn Morris and Kyle Jameson allowed County, beaten play-off finalists in 2019 and 2021, to move within two points of the seventh-placed Dons, who they also have a game in hand on.
Results elsewhere mean the race is now even more congested, with Newport 11th in the table.
But Coughlan has a more immediate target in mind.
He said: “It takes us within two points of 57 points, which we set a target for, which was last year’s total, what we got in the division last year.
“When we get to 57 points, we can maybe realign, reset and set a different target, but at this moment in time we need to get to 57 and surpass what we got last season, which will be an absolute remarkable achievement.
Denne historien er fra March 17, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 17, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Mousinho revels in a happy return
IT proved a joyous return to Oxford for Portsmouth boss John Mousinho as he celebrated his first win back at his old club.
DUFF LAUDS COURAGE OF HIS TERRIERS
HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff praised his team for their response to the fans’ half-time frustrations after they came from behind to win at Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.
HORNETS STING IS PAIN FOR CARRICK
TOM Cleverley felt a nervous home crowd played a part in helping his Watford side end a run of five Championship games without a win with a hard-fought victory that piled pressure on Boro boss Michael Carrick.
SALECH MAKES A POINT WITH HIS LATE LEVELLER
CARDIFF boss Omer Riza says Yousef Saleh is “knocking down the door” for a first Championship start after the striker maintained his fine scoring form with a late equaliser against Bristol City.
Sargent takes Tigers by the tail again
JOSH Sargent once again proved a thorn in Hull City’s side, as his header earned play-off-chasing Norwich City a valuable point against the struggling Tigers.
AFTER INJURY KO, ACE STEVENS JUST WANTS A DECENT SHOT AT LGE ONE
MATTY Stevens has all the motivation he needs to fire AFC Wimbledon to promotion this season – he wants a proper crack at League One.
Talented technician who stars in the pocket
LUKE Cundle spent his formative years at Wolves watching Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves strut their stuff.
PREM DREAM EXCITES JOHN
WHILE he enters a relegation battle, John Eustace has set his long-term sights on taking Derby County back to the Premier League.
IT'S JOY FOR JOSH, SAM AND GEORGE
JOSH Windass, Sam Smith and George Abbott have been rewarded for their stunning strikes with the Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month awards for January.
ADAMS HAILS HIS BATTLING SHRIMPS SIDE
DEREK Adams was full of praise for his Morecambe side after their vital derby-day victory over Accrington Stanley.
