MANAGER Michael Flynn is adamant that tomorrow’s clash with early League Two leaders Crewe Alexandra is more important than Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie against West Ham United.

Flynn is targeting three points against Crewe and he insists there’s no danger of anyone being distracted by the prospect of taking on the Premier League Hammers in front of the Sky TV cameras.

“Saturday is much more important,” said the Exiles boss. “I want to go into the West Ham game with a win.

“We’ve looked solid and I want us to continue what we’ve been doing, hopefully get the three points, and then everybody can look forward to Tuesday.

“West Ham hasn’t been mentioned [in the dressing room]. The players have been good as gold. They just concentrate on the next game.

“If you start looking too far ahead, you quickly fall behind.”

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And Flynn knows that Crewe, who have won three in a row after losing 3-0 at home to Plymouth Argyle on the opening day, will be tough opponents.

“Dave Artell has done a really good job,” he said. “They always start well and they always finish well.

“It’s going to be a tough game. They’re full of confidence, they’ve got some really good players and I think Dave has kept that continuity with the players there. There’s not been a big turnover.

“It’s going to be a really tough game but it’s one I’m looking forward to, as always at home, and it’s one I want to win.

“Crewe are one of these teams where it can always be a bad time to play them, whether they’re struggling or doing really well,” added the manager.

“They’ve always got a result in them. And I don’t mean that they’re one of the lesser teams, because I think they’ll have a really good season this year.

“You can never write off Crewe. Everyone says ‘we’ll get in their face and out-muscle them’ but with this Crewe team, that doesn’t work.

“You’ve got to match them and out-work them, but they’ve got a bit of fight about them and that’s something Dave has installed into them.”

Crewe have already won at Crawley Town and Oldham Athletic in the league this season, and drawn at Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup before winning on penalties, and Artell is confident as they head to Rodney Parade.

“Newport is a tough place to go,” said the Alex boss. “I think they had the best home record in the league last year and they make it hard for you.

“The crowd get behind them and they have a certain way of playing. We know what to expect, but we’re top of the league and we’re going there full of confidence.”

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