Michael Flynn confident that Newport County fans will get behind the players

Despite progressing to the third round of the FA Cup and Leasing.com Trophy, County have now lost four successive games in League Two.

The 1-0 defeat at Bradford City at the weekend saw the Exiles drop to 12th in the table, four points below seventh-placed Northampton Town with two games in hand.

Flynn’s men haven’t earned three points since beating Scunthorpe United on October 19 and they will be aiming to avoid a third straight home loss in the league when they host 23rd-placed Stevenage on Saturday.

The match sees County return to Rodney Parade for the first time since the disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Oldham Athletic on November 23.

The Exiles were booed by a small section of supporters during and after that match, but Flynn is confident that the fans will be backing the players this weekend.

“I know the fans will get behind the boys,” said the manager.

“It’s a Newport trait; people back their own, through thick and thin.

“It’s come as shock to them to see two home losses in a row [in League Two] because we’ve not even looked like losing at home before that.

“I accept criticism and I’d rather they shout at me than at the players.

“Just get behind us,” added Flynn. “I’ve never seen booing or moaning after two minutes inspire a team.

“I’m very reasonable. I know how frustrating it can get. But, let’s have a little bit of realism.

“Expectations have grown. We’ve got to handle that and I think we have handled it well, on the whole.

“But we’ve got no divine right to beat anybody in this league, whether it be home or away.”

Flynn admitted that he shouldn’t have reacted to criticism from a fan behind the dugout in the Rodney Road stand near the start of the match against Oldham.

“I’ve got absolutely no issue with any fan venting their frustrations,” he said. “They pay their money and they’re entitled to do what they want.

“But after two minutes, it’s disrespectful.

“That’s what got my back up. I shouldn’t have let it get my back up, but it did because these players have given them (the fans) everything since I’ve been in charge.

“It is only the minority, but after one small blip people are moaning after two minutes.

“Try getting behind the team from the off.”

Flynn also acknowledges that recent performances have not been up to the Exiles’ usual standards.

“If it was after 85 minutes [against Oldham], I would have been booing with them,” he joked.

“I thought we went too long, too early. There was a lack of options for people on the ball.

“And that happens when people lose their confidence.

“I wasn’t happy because we’re better than that. We’re working to address it and hopefully we will.”

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