Flynn hoping to take another cup scalp
NEWPORT County AFC manager Mike Flynn is hoping to add Swansea City’s scalp to their list of cup upsets today (3pm).
Flynn believes the chance to repeat their exploits against Blackburn, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Leicester is the perfect way to get their season back under way.
“If it was a normal year it would be a sell-out. Other than maybe Cardiff, I don’t think that we could’ve got a bigger draw, especially at home,” said Flynn, whose side earned a Wembley FA Cup replay against Tottenham and have also entertained Manchester City and West Ham in recent seasons.
“They are going to be strong favourites and are going to be in a good position because they have been together longer and haven’t had the amount of time off that we have.
“Swansea are a very good team who just got to the play-offs in the Championship, so it’s a tough game… but you never write us off at home. As always we will give it our best shot.”
Newport have returned to training after being sidelined since losing in Carlisle in March, while the Swans returned to finish their season, sneaking into the Championship play-offs before being edged out by Brentford.
Flynn is relishing the chance to go up against Cooper, after predicting the tie when discussing potential signings with the Swansea boss.
“I spoke to Steve about one or two players on loan and we were trying to arrange a friendly. I said to him ‘knowing our luck watch us go and draw each other in the cup’.
“Steve is somebody that I have known a long time and get on really well with. He is doing a fantastic job there.”
County could to include their three new signings this week, defender Liam Shephard from Forest Green, striker Scott Twine, on loan from Swindon and veteran Kevin Ellison, whose signing was confirmed last night.
The experienced striker has featured across the four tiers of English football - Premier League, Championship, Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League
Two – over the course of his career, making 658 league appearances.
The 41-year-old left Morecambe in the summer following a 10-season spell with the Sky Bet League Two club where he netted 88 goals.
Ellison has enjoyed an impressive record against the Exiles since making his first appearance against the club in the 2012/13 campaign having been involved in 12 goals in 11 games.
After finalising the deal, Ellison said: “I’m looking forward to my chapter here now. I’ve always seemed to do well against the club over the last few years, but I’m a Newport player now so it’s all about me giving everything for this club.”