Keeping Mullin quiet is key for County - Flynn
NEWPORT County’s chances of gaining automatic promotion could receive a huge boost today if they can find a way to keep Paul Mullin quiet.
The Cambridge United striker (pictured) scored twice the last time the two teams met when his side became the first team to beat County in League Two. Since then he has taken his league tally up to 28 goals, including four in his last four games.
Cambridge will arrive at Rodney Parade in second place, nine points clear of their hosts having played a game more. The challenge for Michael Flynn’s men will be stop them going even further ahead.
Third placed Bolton, who County beat at home last week, are eight points clear of Flynn’s side, now just inside the play-off places in sixth, and they have also played an extra game. But while Flynn keeps looking upwards towards a possible top three finish, there is no margin for error with six games to play given the cavalry charge behind him.
Exeter City went to Cambridge and beat them 4-1 to move to within two points of County and Forest Green Rovers in sixth and seventh. County head to Exeter next weekend for another acid test of their promotion credentials.
The pressure is on, and there couldn’t have been a worse time for defenders Priestley Farquharson and Matty Dolan to be out injured. Farquharson is unlikely to figure for three to four weeks, and might even have played his last game of the season, while Dolan is missing due to concussion.
It means there will be a re-jig in the back three or four as County prepare to face the deadliest striker in the league and the club that has scored the most goals.
“Paul Mullin has been outstanding for Cambridge this season and his 30 goals in all competitions for them is an outstanding return at any level,” said Flynn.
“He is a hard working team player who deserves all the praise he gets. He has been around for a long time and always wears his heart on his sleeve.
“But they have got a lot of good players in their side and they aren’t all about Paul Mullin. We need to be on it, winning every battle and taking our chances
“We’ve got a decent home record and we know we need to win if we want to get into the top three. I’m not just thinking about the playoffs.”
Scot Bennett is the likely candidate to fit in for Dolan at the back, with Joe Ledley and Luke Gambin candidates to move into the midfield. Having taken a four points off two promotion rivals, Bolton and Carlisle, in their last two outings, another three would be more than welcome today.
“We spent six months in the top three and we are still looking to get back in there,” said County stalwart Mickey Demetriou.
“We performed so well before December that we are now disappointed at being back in sixth place. We know we are still in a good position and hopefully we can go on and do something special.”
To do that he is going to have to marshall the defence to keep Mullin at bay.