County standing together – Flynn
NEWPORT County boss Mike Flynn has praised the togetherness in his squad ahead of today’s League Two clash with Grimsby Town at Rodney Parade.
The Exiles looked to have surrendered the points when they conceded a late leveller against Notts County on Tuesday night – only to then snatch a 3-2 win in dramatic fashion through Jamille Matt five minutes into added time.
It made it seven points from nine in the league for County since their opening-day defeat at Mansfield, while their recent good run also includes a thumping 4-1 win at Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup.
“This team, this squad is full of spirit,” said Flynn.
“They have really bonded, they are all close and there are no egos within the dressing room.
“There’s no fractions within the group, they are all together and even the boys who are not involved
“We made it a lot harder than it probably should have been on Tuesday night but credit to the boys, they kept going and we managed to get the win.
“That’s what they fully deserved.” Today’s opponents Grimsby arrive with one win and five points from their first four games and are 15th – but Flynn is wary of the Mariners.
He said: “I had them watched on Tuesday night – Saturday as well – and I’ve been told they were the better team on Tuesday away at MK Dons.
“They’ve recruited quite a lot of players over the summer and it’s going to be a tough challenge.
“Anyone that thinks it won’t be tough will have a rude awakening because they’ll be up for it.
“We’ve just got to make sure that we take care of ourselves and be ready to put the game to bed.”
County won this fixture 1-0 last season thanks to a second half Padraig Among effort and the striker, who already has three goals to this name this term, will once again be looking to make an impression against his former club.
It was part of a league double for Newport over Grimsby with Robbie Willmott and Frank Nouble scoring in a 2-1 win at Blundell Park.
Ironically the scorer for Grimsby that day was Matt was who was then sent off late on. He also faces his former side today.
Flynn will need to check on the fitness of Andrew Crofts, but the game is likely to have come too soon for Willmott.