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Interviews

PRE-MATCH | Michael Flynn: "This is the time you’ve got to be more demanding"

4 December 2020

Interviews

PRE-MATCH | Michael Flynn: "This is the time you’ve got to be more demanding"

4 December 2020

Newport County AFC sit at the top of the Sky Bet League Two table and Michael Flynn says he won't let complacency stop his side from remaining there.

The Exiles, who were held to a 1-1 draw against Forest Green on Tuesday, welcome Morecambe to Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon as they look to return to winning ways.

And Flynn has emphasised a need for his players to maintain high standards in their bid to remain at the league summit.

“This is the time you’ve got to be more demanding," said Flynn.

“Because if you start being or becoming complacent, it can set in quite quickly and once it sets in it’s a lot harder to turn around than the other way.

“It’s something that I won’t let happen, I will keep them on their toes day in and day out and I’ll keep myself and my staff on their toes as well.

“We are not going to be at our best level every single game, we know that it’s impossible. Even the Liverpool team last season, the Manchester City team the season before. They had off days, but in those off days they still managed to find a way where they got the result they wanted, or they needed.

“That’s all I’m asking is that sometimes we find a different way to get that result, whether that be a loss into a draw or a draw into a win.”

Saturday’s opponents Morecambe have proved to a tough test for the Exiles in recent years. In their last five encounters in the league, both sides have enjoyed a win apiece and played out three 1-1 draws.

While the teams haven’t been separated by more than a goal in their last 10 Sky Bet League Two meetings.

And Flynn is anticipating another difficult game against the Shrimps.

“We know Morecambe, we’ve obviously done our research and our analysis on them and they’re a very good team. Derek has done a very good job there.

“It’s going to a tough game; these are the ones where people get carried away and expect you to have the three points. There are no guarantees in this league, on their day they are a very good team and they have had a very good start as well."

County have picked up the joint-most wins in Sky Bet League Two so far this term, but Flynn is still demanding more from his players.

And says he wants the Exiles to be more clinical in front of goal.

“I think we could have had at least four more points," he added.

"You even look at the Carlisle game and I was the first to say that we didn’t deserve anything out of that game. But at the end we had a chance to equalise to make it 3-3.

“Would we have deserved that? Probably not if I’m being open and honest with you, but that would have been an extra point if we took that chance. It’s done now and we can’t change it, but these are the small margins I want us to improve on.

“It’s not just the strikers when I say ruthlessness, I don’t care who scores to be honest. I just want people - whoever it is - once they are in the right position, to score.”


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