EXILES AND BEN ARE ON THE UP

IF THE season ended tomorrow, Ben Tozer believes that Newport could be more than content with what they’ve achieved to date.

The Exiles are comfortably mid-table and enjoyed a thrilling run in the FA Cup, knocking out Leeds and taking Tottenham to a fourth-round replay at Wembley – all a far cry from a 2016-17 campaign that saw them retain their League Two status on the final day of the season.

On a personal note, it’s also been a markedly more enjoyable experience for 28-year-old Tozer, who was left battling against anxiety attacks after falling out of favour with former boss Graham Westley.

Now restored as a regular fixture under manager Michael Flynn, the midfielder has a spring in his step once again and is proud of what he and his teammates have produced.

“If you’d said at the start of the season that we would be where we are now, having done what we’ve done, then you would have snapped someone’s hand off for it,” said former Northampton man Tozer.

“Although we have been in the thick of the play-offs at times and to some it might look like we’ve taken our foot off the gas, if we finish up where we are now, it’s a stepping stone and a platform to build on next season for the club.

“It’s been an enjoyable year. The environment’s been a good place to be every day.

“I live in Northamptonshire now, so it’s quite a commute.

“Me and my wife (Sophie) were living in Cardiff last year and because of everything that happened (the anxiety attacks), we chose to move back to our house in Northamptonshire to be closer to friends and family.

“Living away made it tougher, I guess, so that’s why we chose to move back – it’s been great.”

Great

The sun may have set on Newport’s FA Cup heroics, but Tozer cannot help but ponder what could have been had the Exiles not conceded a late Harry Kane equaliser at Rodney Parade in January.

Rubbing shoulders with topclass stars was nothing new for the former Plymouth trainee, however, having moved to Newcastle from Swindon for £1.1 million as a 17-year-old in 2008.

Tozer said: “That’s a massive part of my life, for sure, and I’m very grateful that it ever happened.

“Even playing X amount of games in the EFL is a great achievement, as much as you sometimes beat yourself up and think what could have been, what should have been – you can’t dwell on that.

“You’ve got to forge a career for yourself and, luckily, I’ve managed to do that while a lot of other players have come and gone.”

Truth be told, Tozer doesn’t want this re-invigorating season to end prematurely, particularly with Flynn’s troops beginning the weekend nine points off the playoffs.

“There’s more than a quarter of the season left, so who knows what could happen? We’ve got to go for it,” he added.