Congratulations to manager Michael Flynn who has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for September.
This was very much a case of "third time lucky", for Flynn who has been nominated for the award on two previous occasions. Both of those previous nominations came alongside Club Player of the Month nominations but whilst nominated players Mickey Demetriou (April, 2017) and Frank Nouble (August, 2017) won their respective awards, Flynn was left to wait.
This time, however, there was no doubt in the judges minds. Built on impeccable away form with wins at Port Vale, Oldham Athletic and Tranmere Rovers, Flynn guided County into second place with 12 points from a possible 15. The belief he has instilled was evident in a 4-2 win over Cambridge United, from 2-0 down.
Flynn said: “All the credit has got to go to the players. That’s what we’re about; we all help each other out and we all work as hard as we can. Without them, I wouldn’t be sitting here.
“One of the key things was how we bounced back after the bad result against Yeovil Town. We’ve gone to some difficult places in the month, and we’ve managed to get some good away wins, so it was very pleasing the boys produced the goods when they needed to.
“The Cambridge win was pleasing. It was the first time we’ve come back from 2-0 down to win since I’ve been in charge, so credit to the boys – they don’t know when they’re beaten. To go away to Oldham and Tranmere and get results was massive, because they are not easy places to go.
“Nothing is won in this part of the season; you’ve got to be in contention in the business end in March and April, and hopefully we can continue what we are doing and surprise a few people.”
George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Mike is busy revitalising a fine club with some good attacking football. Newport’s away form has been particularly impressive in September securing three wins from strong performances on the road. The club deservedly ended September in second place.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Flynn put the disappointment of a mid-month thrashing from Yeovil behind him with an otherwise perfect month, picking up nine points from three tricky looking away fixtures.
“Few would have predicted Newport being third in the table, just two points off of the top spot, so Flynn deserves a massive amount of credit for the way his team have started the season.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Michael Flynn’s exiles continued to defy expectations in Sky Bet League Two and now sit third in the table.
“They are now into 4/1 for promotion from 12/1 at the start of the season.”
