FLYNN: PLAYERS HAVEN’T STOPPED TRYING

MANAGER Mike Flynn labels suggestions that Newport have clocked off early for the season as “a load of rubbish”.

After the Exiles sealed a fourth successive League Two win against Crawley Town in mid-January, they were fifth in the table and just a point behind current leaders Accrington.

But, since that victory, they have picked up three points just once in the 12 matches that preceded yesterday’s visit of Swindon.

Five games remain, including two in front of their own fans at Rodney Parade, and Flynn, 37, is adamant his team are still as determined as ever to perform.

The former midfielder said: “I think it’s just something that is said from the outside – ‘they’ve switched off ’ – it’s a load of rubbish.

“I’m a little bit more experienced in this field than 99 per cent of the fans and, in my experience, I’ve never really known a player to switch off.

“I’ve seen players lose form and not be at their best, but not once did they not want to perform because, if they’re out of contract, then they want to prove themselves to somebody else, whether they’re wanted here or not.

“All the boys are motivated. They’re in great spirits and they’ve been fantastic on and off the pitch.”

Newport’s drop off in form has coincided with their FA Cup fourth-round ties against Premier League giants Tottenham, where a 1-1 home draw was followed by a 2-0 defeat at Wembley Stadium in the replay.

Flynn added: “I’m learning all the time. I’m learning how you overcome being on such a high with the FA Cup and then getting back to normality – the mentality of the players and the staff around us.

“But I can’t fault their efforts. They’ve given me everything this season.”