Flynn amdits Newport are well below par after heavy loss at Crawley

Posted Sunday, October 21, 2018 by PA

Newport boss Mike Flynn admitted his men were well below their best even allowing for a crippling injury list following their 4-1 hiding at Crawley.

Striker Jamille Matt pulled County level early in the second half after Joe Maguire had given Crawley the lead 60 seconds in.

Filipe Morais restored Crawley’s advantage with a 64th minute penalty nd the Exiles caved in, conceding further goals from Ollie Palmer and Ashley Nathaniel-George and also having Fraser Franks sent off for a straight red card.

Newport went into the clash missing seven players and Flynn said:” It is frustrating because we had got back into it.

“I`m disappointed with the performance. I was forced into a lot of changes, but that`s not an excuse.

“Credit to Crawley, we could have let in five or six by half-time if it wasn’t for Joe Day.

“In the second half we were the better team, but the penalty changed it.”

Flynn, 38, named himself as one of six substitutes, and when asked if he was fit to play, he replied: “I could have played better than a few out there.”

The heavy defeat ended a five-match unbeaten run, and Flynn added: “My players were not up to it. I’m disappointed with the manner in which we conceded some of those goals.”

Crawley have won all five of their home league games since head coach Gabriele Cioffi has taken charge, but the 43-year-old Italian said he was determined not to get carried away.

He said: “There was time to enjoy this win for 15 minutes, but we have another tough game at home (against Exeter) on Tuesday night.

“We are a work in process, but this was a brilliant performance and we controlled the game.”

When asked whether this was his best win so far head coach Cioffi replied: “It was a really good performance, but we played better at Notts County when we were beaten.”

Cioffi wants his men to improve their mentality for away games, having lost all three under him so far, while he is desperate for home attendances to improve.

He added: “When we play away we are more scared and mentality has to improve. I want to make our home a fortress; an empty fortress is like a ghost.”