County enjoying life at the top
NEWPORT County head to Cambridge today as the top team in League Two and currently the side that everyone wants to beat.
With three wins from four games they are one of only two unbeaten teams in the league – Salford City are the other one – and sit proudly at the top one point ahead of Morecambe. Cambridge are in fourth having lost only once.
The two teams met in the Carabao Cup three weeks ago when a Scott Twine goal separated the two sides. That helped to set-up a lucrative clash with Newcastle United in the third round, when County surrendered a one goal lead late on and then lost in the penalty shoot out to their Premiership rivals.
The disappointment didn’t last long and manager Michael Flynn was encouraged to see his side hit back with a 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town three days later.
“It has been a positive start to the season and we’ve played some excellent football. We’ve also dug deep when we’ve needed to to get the rewards with some very good wins,” said Flynn
“I was confident we wouldn’t have a hangover from the cup defeat to Newcastle United. I knew they would respond and the first half performance against Mansfield was unbelievable.
“Even though they were the better team for 20 minutes, and went ahead, I thought we were excellent. The way we finished was superb and showed a togetherness from the group to dig deep when they need to.”
Flynn isn’t concerned about the 5-0 EFL Trophy home defeat to Norwich U21 in midweek having any bearing on his side’s league momentum, but he will have to play without Brandon Cooper and Lewis Collins, who are both on international duty with Wales U21.
“We’re pleased with the start we’ve had, but there is a long way to go. Cambridge are a good team who will be looking to keep up their run of good form,” said Flynn.
“We’ve played them once, and put on an unbelievable performance, but it will be a different game this weekend. The thing is, you can’t predict anything in this league.
“There are always one or two teams that surprise you. There are the big spenders like Salford, Mansfield, Bolton and, to an extent, Forest Green – teams that seem to be having a go in that regard.
“But we have just got to stick to what we do. Just because you’ve got a bigger cheque book doesn’t guarantee you success and just because you’ve got a smaller one doesn’t mean failure.”
With the transfer window due to close next week, Flynn is still hoping to bring in two more players and was close to securing one signing this week. More importantly, he doesn’t want to see any of his current squad leaving.