Michael Flynn says Newport County AFC will ‘give it their best shot’ as they look to cause another cup upset when they host West Ham United tomorrow night at Rodney Parade in the Carabao Cup Second Round.
The Exiles have already beaten three higher division opponents in 2019 – former Premier League champions Leicester City, Middlesbrough and Gillingham – and they’ll be targeting a fourth scalp against the Hammers, a match live on SKY Sports Main Event.
County have earnt themselves the tag of cup giant killers in recent seasons after some terrific runs, but the Exiles don’t have as good a record in this competition as they do in the Emirates FA Cup, and they’ll be looking to reach the Third Round of the Carabao Cup for the first time since the early 1960s.
A visit from the Hammers will provide a huge test for Flynn’s men but with an unbeaten start to 2019/20 on the line, he says his team will do everything possible to try and make it another memorable night at Rodney Parade.
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He affirmed: “We’ve got a fantastic opportunity to play against another Premier League team and we’ll give it our best shot.
“It’s a nice distraction from the league and it’s a free hit. It’s nice to be out there in the public eye, this game is massive for the football club, and it’s good that we’re on SKY Sports.
“It’s going to be a really difficult game against a really good West Ham team. You don’t know who they’re going to play but you always look at the experienced ones, players like Mark Noble who’s just come back, Declan Rice, Aaron Cresswell might play.
“I think they’ll mix it up a little bit, but they’ve got bags of talent and we won’t be focusing on just one individual because we’ll come unstuck if we take our eye off somebody else.
“They’re littered with top players and the pitch is looking in great shape. I want the boys to go out there and test themselves against top footballers.
“West Ham are quality operators. We’ve got to make a game of it, we’ve got to go and give it our best shot. They will have possession, they will pin us back and I’m under no illusions about that.
“When we can get in their faces and close the space, that’s what we’ll do.
“It’s a fantastic atmosphere at Rodney Parade. The fans are loud, supportive and that’s the key thing. It shows we’re all in it together.”