MX23RW : Thursday, February 6 23:54:43| >> :120:19459:19459:

Newport boss Michael Flynn looks to prioritise lucrative FA Cup run

Newport boss Michael Flynn looks to prioritise lucrative FA Cup run
© Reuters
The Exiles are set to host Premier League Brighton live on Sunday night.

Newport boss Michael Flynn maintains the club cannot afford to prioritise promotion from Sky Bet League Two over a lucrative FA Cup run.

The Exiles are set to host Premier League Brighton on Sunday night, which will bring in significant additional revenue from being one of the eight primary match selections for broadcast.

In 2018, Leeds were beaten at Rodney Parade followed by a draw against Tottenham and a trip to Wembley for the replay.

The next season, both Leicester and Middlesbrough were defeated when they came to Wales, with Manchester City eventually proving a tie too far as Pep Guardiola's side won 4-1 in the fifth round.

Those memorable performances helped Newport clear their substantial debts and start to look up the table rather than just battling to stay in the division.

Flynn's side are well set for a promotion push in 2021.

The Exiles are currently second in the table, just a point off top spot and with a match in hand after having their last two league games postponed because of the weather.

The Newport boss, though, will always look at the bigger picture of what securing more income from the FA Cup could do for the club.

"We cannot afford to dismiss the FA Cup because of what it means for finances," Flynn said.

"If you go back two seasons to when we played Tottenham, that draw was more important than getting promoted. That is the financial implications we have to deal with at this level.

"It would be nice to have that conundrum where you can just pick the league over the cup competitions, but whatever team come here, I know (Brighton boss) Graham (Potter) will have them taking it seriously.

"He will not be taking his foot off the gas, they want to win this one – and have two tough Premier League games after this.

"We want to upset them and get into the next round of the cup."

Former Swansea boss Potter is expected to utilise his squad for Sunday's match, but remains determined to use the FA Cup to help provide a boost for Brighton's top-flight survival battle.

Flynn added: "It can be done, but maybe it is different again down the bottom end of the Premier League, because if you do go out of the Premier League, that can be financially ruining as well.

"It is a tough conundrum for clubs for different reasons all across the country."

Whoever plays for Brighton, Flynn knows his team will have to be on top form again to stand any chance of making it into the fourth-round draw.

"Brighton are littered with top players, as you expect being a Premier League team – but it is Rodney Parade and we know anything can happen there," he said.

"Every time the boys have risen to the occasion (in the cup games), they have not been startled, have been on the front foot, raised their game and shown they are good players."

Flynn continued: "We will miss the crowd (on Sunday), football is not the same without them.

"But we are playing a Premier League team at home, live on television, and there is still a buzz here.

"We are all still excited – it is the best cup competition in the world."

As well as preparing for Sunday's clash, County have also been busy in the transfer market and completed the signing of midfielder Jack Evans from Swansea on Friday.

The 22-year-old has made the move east on a permanent deal that runs until the end of the season, while striker Jake Scrimshaw has arrived on loan from Bournemouth.

ID:429800: cacheID:429800:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5008:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Michael Flynn in charge of Newport County on December 1, 2018
Read Next:
Newport boss hopes dome cover will keep Brighton match on
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall28185554302459
2Doncaster RoversDoncaster29157742321052
3Notts County28148645281750
4AFC Wimbledon27146739201948
5Crewe AlexandraCrewe291212536251148
6Port Vale2813963529648
7Bradford CityBradford28138738281047
8Salford City2912983629745
9Grimsby Town29133134045-542
10Chesterfield28109943321139
11MK Dons28115124240238
12Cheltenham TownCheltenham28108103739-238
13Colchester UnitedColchester2881373329437
14Swindon TownSwindon30910114344-137
15Fleetwood TownFleetwood279993735236
16Bromley2981293940-136
17Newport CountyNewport2896133747-1033
18Gillingham2795132529-432
19BarrowBarrow2887132732-531
20Harrogate TownHarrogate3086162541-1630
21Accrington StanleyAccrington2778123445-1129
22Tranmere RoversTranmere2868142146-2526
23Morecambe2965182746-1923
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle2856172246-2421


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!