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PRE-MATCH | Michael Flynn: "We’ve had them in more this week than planned so we can give them Christmas Day off"

24 December 2020

Interviews

PRE-MATCH | Michael Flynn: "We’ve had them in more this week than planned so we can give them Christmas Day off"

24 December 2020

Manager Michael Flynn has given his players Christmas Day off ahead of Newport County AFC's trip to Crawley Town the following day.

County have made a flying start to the Sky Bet League Two campaign and will sit at the top of the league table - one point ahead of second-placed Forest Green Rovers - on Christmas Day.

The Exiles have endured a busy December with six games in the space of 18 days prior to the trip to the People's Pension Stadium on Friday.

They then host Exeter City in the final fixture of the year three days later before the clash against Southend United on Saturday 2nd January.

And Flynn has allowed his players to spend time with their families on Christmas Day ahead of the upcoming fixtures.

"I’ve given the boys the day off tomorrow," said Flynn.

"We’ve had them in more this week than planned so we can give them Christmas Day off, and we want to cut the amount of travelling over a short period.

"We’ve gone through the areas where the players went wrong on Saturday [against Oldham Athletic], so hopefully they take it on board and we can be more solid on Boxing Day.

"We’ve got to stick together, work hard, and keep believing in what we’re doing. We’ve limited the amount of injuries and we’re top.

"Now we've got to turn the defeats into draws and the draws into wins, it’s as simple as that."

County will be looking for a response following the 4-2 defeat against Oldham Athletic when they take on a Crawley side who have lost only one of their last five fixtures.

John Yems' men also have one of the most deadliest strikers in Sky Bet League Two in the form of Max Watters, who the Exiles will have to contain.

"Crawley are a very tough team to play against," added Flynn

"They’ve got some really good players and the best striker in the league at the moment who’s attracting a lot of attention from other clubs.

"He’s got 16 goals and it’s a phenomenal amount so far in the games that he’s played. We know it’s going to be a very tough games."

Flynn also delivered a positive update on captain Joss Labadie, who missed the last two fixtures through injury, and long-term absentee Ryan Taylor.

"He’s taken a knock and it’s taken a while to settle down," said Flynn on Labadie's injury.

"He’s had the scan and he’s all clear so that’s great news. It’s about making sure that he’s comfortable within himself now. 

"Ryan is very close too."


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