WORK IN POG-RESS
Teen star Tyreeq learns from best
TYREEQ BAKINSON’S playing style has been likened to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and he models his game on Manchester United ace Paul Pogba.
And having bagged his first senior goal, the talented teenager wants to show he can reach the very top.
Bakinson’s 69th-minute finish sealed a battling fourth straight league win for Newport that took them level on points with leaders Lincoln.
The 19-year-old joined County on a five-month loan from Bristol City, where boss Lee Johnson spoke of a likeness to Vieira.
Impressive displays by the lanky Londoner in Newport’s strong start have also seen him described as a “mini-Pogba”.
“That’s probably the best praise I can get really,” said Bakinson. “They are two world-class players. Pogba just won the World Cup as well so it’s very nice to hear.
Stature
“You look at their games and I take the athleticism and not just how they play on the ball, but how they get around the pitch.
“They’ve also scored goals that way so hopefully I can implement that into my game.
“I look up to Pogba a lot, he has that same stature. Of course every young player wants to play at the top and I want to learn more, to get better.
“Right now it’s really good, I’m feeling good, getting games and winning them as well. I feel more confident the more I play.”
Having started out as a striker and moved into midfield aged 12, Bakinson is keen to add goals to his strengths and develop his leadership skills too.
He drove his side on as they came under pressure from an Oldham side unbeaten in their previous four league games.
“Even as a young lad I did that, you have to keep everyone going,” he added.
“This was a big win, a big team effort. Hopefully there’s more goals to come. It’s something I’ve been working on.
“When I was younger I was actually a striker, but have been in midfield for a while now. The striker in me came out here.”
Bakinson’s left-foot finish, after he broke into the box to latch onto Dan Butler’s fine pass, ended the defiance of Zeus De La Paz.
The Oldham keeper showed lightning reflexes to deny Josh Sheehan and Fraser Franks on his league debut.
But Frankie Bunn’s forwards failed to find a way past Joe Day in the visiting goal.
The Latics boss blamed “anxiety, quality and wrong decisions” for not scoring.
But Bunn added: “I was proud of them. All that was missing was a goal. We’re still young. We are not the finished article.”
County boss Mike Flynn has banned talk of promotion and Bakinson added: “It’s another one of his ways in keeping our heads down and to keep working hard.”