All Flynn wants for Christmas is three points

RODNEY PARADE 3pm NEWPORT CTY v LINCOLN CITY NEWPORT COUNTY boss Mike Flynn is hoping for the perfect Christmas present from his players this afternoon – three points against Lincoln City.

Victory over the Imps would be their first at Rodney Parade in League Two since they beat Yeovil back on October 7.

But it won’t be easy against a Lincoln side who have made an excellent start to life back in the Football League after coming up as National League champions from last season.

Danny Cowley’s side are currently sixth in the table, two points and three places above Newport.

“They are on a good run of form and are a strong unit who make it difficult for teams,” said Flynn on Lincoln. “It’s going to be a battle but I’m sure it’s one that we’ll be up for. They have a lot of good players. Danny Cowley has recruited well, and it has got them into a good position.

“They have had a successful period; the club is still on a high after promotion and the FA Cup run last year – and they are doing well in League Two this season. “It’s going to be a tough game. “If we’re not fully focused against Lincoln, then we’ll probably end up getting beaten.

“But I’ll make sure they are focused and hopefully we can get the three points.”

Flynn is hoping to have Mark O’Brien and David Pipe available for selection although Marlon Jackson and Calaum JahraldoMartin are still out injured.

The clash with Lincoln is the first of four league games for County between today and New Year’s Day and, with his side just a point outside the play-off places, Flynn knows how important this period could be for his side. “It’s huge,” he said. “It’s a busy period and the reason why it is so important is that you have a lot of games in such a short space of time.

“With squads like ourselves, we’ve got to make sure that they are rested, wrapped up in cotton wool and wheeled out for the next game. There won’t be much training going on but that doesn’t mean that we can’t do things off the pitch.

“We can do video analysis and things like that but it’s a short space of time with a lot of points up for grabs. Hopefully we can get as many as we can.”