MANCHESTER City have scored a staggering 122 goals in 41 league and cup games already this season, but Newport County AFC boss Michael Flynn insists his side will not be parking the bus this afternoon.

Pep Guardiola’s men are averaging 2.975 goals per game in all competitions and they’ve brushed aside League One Rotherham 7-0 and Premier League Burnley 5-0 in their two FA Cup ties so far this season.

City also put 10 goals past League One Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup semi-finals last month and hit Chelsea for six last weekend.

But Flynn is undaunted as his League Two heroes, who have already beaten 2016 Premier League winners Leicester City and Championship challengers Middlesbrough on their way to the fifth round, prepare to take on the English champions at Rodney Parade this evening (kick-off 5.30pm).

“This is our cup final and we won’t just be sitting back, I can tell you that,” vowed the Exiles boss.

“I’d rather get thumped doing it properly than losing 1-0 with no ambition.

“I want to give the supporters something to cheer and the players have got to believe that we can cause the biggest upset in the history of the FA Cup.

“It’s the highest-ranked team against the lowest but I’ve got full belief in my players. We’ve come up against some very good teams in the past and done very well and I believe we can do it again.”

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Flynn is relishing the chance to pit his wits against Guardiola, who he regards as the best in the business.

“It’s going to be tough,” he said. “They’ll come with a strong team because Pep Guardiola is a serial winner – he wants to win everything – and he’s also very respectful.

“He’s bordering on a genius. The way he goes to different countries and changes their way of thinking and makes them believe in his philosophy is not easy.

“Everybody says he’s only been at the top clubs and could he do it in League Two? I have no doubt that he could.

“He’s the best manager in the world right now and he will not change his philosophy – they will play football on our pitch and it’s going to be tough game, whatever team they pick.

“For me it will be a special occasion if I can have a one-on-one with Pep, but it’s about the players. They’ve made me a very proud man.

“This means everything to me,” he added. “It’s huge. I’m an ambitious young manager and I want to test myself against the best managers.

“To do it with Newport County AFC – I can’t explain what it feels like or what it means to me and to the club.”

Asked for a message to County fans before arguably the biggest game in the club’s history, Flynn said: “Enjoy the occasion and do Newport proud.

“We’ve been blessed over the last two years, but these games don’t come around too often so we’ve got to savour it and make memories that will last forever.”

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