Players who slack off will be out, says boss Flynn

RODNEY PARADE 3pm

NEWPORT CTY v BRADFORD

MIKE Flynn has warned his Newport County players they’ll be out the door if they think they’ve nothing to play for between now and the end of the current campaign.

The Exiles were beaten 6-5 on penalties by Salford City on Wednesday in the semi-finals of the Leasing.com Trophy as their hopes of a fifth Wembley visit in eight years were ended.

Newport face Bradford today and go into the game in 16th place in League Two, 12 points off the division’s play-off spots. “Of course there is still something to play for,” Flynn said.

“I’ve told the players if anyone thinks they’re in for an easy ride between now and the end of the season, they’ll be out of the club quicker than I can count to three.

“I’ll never settle for mediocrity in terms of what the players think they can put in effort wise. To be fair, I don’t think they’ll do that – but I’ve given them the warning anyway.

“I don’t care if they’re under contract. If they think they can just cruise through to the end of the season, then they’ll be out. Let’s take it in little steps. We’ll set targets. We’ll try and get into the top half and then get closer to the play-offs. We’ve got to start winning games and scoring goals.”

Newport’s problems are up front where they are struggling to score. They were the better team against Salford, but couldn’t break through in a goalless 90 minutes before being edged out on penalties as Tristan Abrahams and Ryan Inniss couldn’t convert.

Ninth-placed Bradford have their own designs on promotion to League One, and Flynn said: “I want to see a reaction and I said to the players after Salford they have to be proud.

“They gave their all.

“My players don’t cheat or cut corners and I had four or five of them limping at the end. They probably needed to come off. Our supporters clapping us off at the end of the Salford game was what this club is all about. It was excellent because if I’m honest, I didn’t know how they’d react.

“Them getting right behind the players and giving them a round of applause has gone down well with me.

“I thought we were the better team on the night, but you don’t always get what you deserve.”

Newport’s season has been hit hard by injuries and left wing-back Ryan Haynes was the latest to suffer a knock when he was forced off in the second half against Salford. The 24-year-old is a doubt to face Bradford.