FLYNN IS LOOKING TO BUILD COUNTY LEGACY
Spurs in their sights after taming the Lions
MICHAEL Flynn has his eye on building a legacy at Newport County after signing a new deal.
The 37-year-old Welshman is now set to stay at Rodney Parade until June 2020, having guided his side to League Two safety last season.
The Exiles sat just five points off the play-off positions before the weekend, while Flynn also oversaw a run to the FA Cup fourth round, which ended in a 2-0 replay defeat at the hands of Tottenham at Wembley in midweek.
Success in the country’s most famous cup competition is estimated to have earned the club around £900,000 in extra income.
Flynn said: “I’m delighted the board have agreed to improve my current deal.
“I’ve always said I want to build a club and not a team.
“The increase in my tenure helps achieve that goal.”
Meanwhile, Flynn has had to bid farewell to midfielder Sean Rigg.
The 29-year-old, who was instrumental in last season’s great escape, has opted to end his professional career in order to train as a tattoo artist while playing part-time at Bath City in the National League South.
Flynn said: “I tried to change his mind, but he’s a clever lad and just fell out of love with the game.
“He was thinking of the future, I think, and this is ideal timing for him to go and chase his dream of being a tattoo artist.
“On his day, Sean would have been very valuable to us. Unfortunately, he’s had a few niggling injuries this season and he hasn’t been able to hit his top form.
“It’s been a frustrating time for him but I’ve got nothing bad to say about Sean. He played a big part in helping keep us up and I’m sure we’ll keep in touch.”
PROUD Rochdale manager Keith Hill hailed the ‘courage’ of his players after they overcame Millwall in their fourth round replay – and booked a juicy home tie against Tottenham.
On a heavily-sanded Spotland pitch, it took skipper Ian Henderson’s 53rd-minute goal to separate the sides last Tuesday. Henderson toepoked the ball home after excellent work from Calvin Andrew down the left flank.
League One strugglers Dale may have thought their chance had gone when Ben Thompson struck in the 90th-minute to earn Milwall a 2-2 draw in the original tie, but they showed true grit to get the better of the Championship Lions in the replay.
“We put in equally as good a performance again and thoroughly deserved to win,” said Hill. “It was full of courage and the decisionmaking was superb on the night.
Sensible
“We stuck to the gameplan and the players made sensible decisions. We nullified Millwall’s attack and we knew the type of presence they have.
“A clean sheet was very satisfying and we’re really pleased to have got through to the fifth round. It’s my first time as a manager to have that privilege.”
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino voiced concerns about the state of the heavy Spotland surface before it was announced that it was going to be relaid ahead of their meeting. It suggests Spurs could be wary of the trip north – and Hill doesn’t want his side to make it easy for the north Londoners.
“It’s a reward for the players and their endeavours not just this season, but over the last few seasons,” he said. “It’s a real privilege to entertain one of the giants of English football.
“At home, I would say we had a 40 per cent chance of winning if I was a betting man. They have got some big fixtures coming up and if they rotate it will give us more of a chance. At home we’ve got a fighter’s chance of an upset.”
The financial side is another major plus for Dale. They will earn almost £250,000 as a live broadcast fee for the match, which is being televised by the BBC next Sunday (4pm). There is also their share of the gate receipts to take into account.
As a club who try to take a prudent approach financially, it is manna from heaven.
“I want us to balance the books and this will help us with our budget for next season and to retain players,” said Hill. “We don’t spend what we haven’t got and this will support the mentality we have at the club.”
Rochdale just need to take a look at Newport County to see the financial rewards of a cup run. The Exiles reckon their FA Cup heroics this term in beating Leeds United, drawing with Tottenham and taking them back to Wembley earned them in the region of £900,000.
Unlucky
On the pitch, it proved the end of the road in midweek as Michael Flynn’s troops were beaten 2-0 by Spurs at the home of football.
The Welsh side were desperately unlucky with Tottenham’s first goal on 26 minutes, Moussa Sissoko’s cross deflecting into the net off the unfortunate Dan Butler for an own goal.
Tottenham sliced through to score a classier second through Erik Lamela eight minutes later, but the Exiles dug in deep.
After Spurs missed chances to add gloss to the scoreline, Padraig Amond, who scored for Newport in the original tie, was denied a consolation at the death by Spurs keeper Michel Vorm.
Another League Two side bowed out, though Notts County suffered a far heavier defeat at Premier League outfit Swansea. Notts were overwhelmed 8-1, Noor Husin netting a consolation.
It means Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal will take his new side to his old one, Sheffield Wednesday, in the fifth round next Saturday.
It was also the end of the road for Birmingham. The Championship side lost 4-1 at home against Premier League Huddersfield. Che Adams’ superb strike gave the Blues the lead early in the second half, but an unlucky Marc Roberts own goal levelled matters on the hour.
David Wagner’s Terriers then stepped up a gear in extra-time to bag a fifth round tie against Manchester United.