Mike Flynn has warned his Newport County AFC players that nothing is given tomorrow and they will have to work for every blade of grass at Morecambe tomorrow.
The Exiles head to Lancashire knowing a victory will guarantee a play-off spot but they could still sneak into the top-seven without all three points if other results go their way.
But despite Morecambe seemingly having nothing to play for at The Globe Arena, Flynn knows their manager Jim Bentley and assistant Ken McKenna will not allow their players to take things easy.
Flynn affirmed: “They’ve got a few threats. They’ve got Bennett, they’ve got Oliver. They’ve got a lot of good players and you can see why they’ve been on a good run of form.
“They’ve got a good group, who stick together – similar to ours, and they’ve got a good management team. Aaron [Collins] has been in very good form. He’s enjoyed his time up there and he’s been playing very well.
“He’s needed to do that for his own career. He’s probably disappointed by the way it worked out at Wolves. But nothing just drops in your lap, you’ve got to work hard and produce the goods. And that’s what he’s done, to be fair.”
It’s no secret who the danger man could be in Lancashire as veteran Kevin Ellison has scored six times against the Exiles from 11 appearances.
Flynn continued: “I know him really well (played together at Bradford). He’s brilliant. He’s 40 years of age and his fitness levels he’s got are amazing.
“He’s still scoring goals and making a big impact at League Two level. He’s had a fantastic career. I just hope he has a quiet one on Saturday.
“He’s going to be trying his best, like he does in every game, because he wants to score goals and he wants to be the pantomime villain.
“We’ve just got to stop him, but we don’t have a special plan for him.”
There have been so many wonderful moments on the pitch since Flynn took to the helm in March 2017.
First, the Great Escape within 12 matches of his tenure then two unbelievable Emirates FA Cup runs – including reaching the Fifth Round of the competition for the first time since 1949.
Asked where a potential play-off spot / promotion would rank amongst those achievements, Flynn added: “It’s difficult to say, because we’ve had lots of special occasions over the last few years.
“I always get asked what was more important – staying up by beating Notts County or getting up at Wembley.
“It’s a difficult one. Staying up was probably more important because I think the club would have gone [bust if we’d gone down], if I’m honest.
“But I still think winning promotion was better, because I like to celebrate good things rather than just hanging on.”
County are now in the play-offs for the first time since just before Christmas after the vitally important 2-0 victory over Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night.
Ascending into the top-seven brings with it a new kind of pressure but Flynn remains confident that won’t faze his players who have become accustomed to high-pressure situations.
Flynn said: “The pressure was on us on Tuesday. That was massive, because we had to win to get ourselves into this position.
“The way they handled the games against Lincoln and Oldham was absolutely fantastic.
“They are fine and I’m fine. I’ve been so relaxed in the last six weeks.
“I’ve just got so much faith in the players and my staff and it’s been enjoyable.
“I’m not worrying about anything. What will be, will be.
“I’m happy with the place that we’ve got ourselves in and I know that if we stick to what we’ve been doing then we’ll be in the play-offs.
“I’m confident, I’m not arrogant and I’m not thinking too far ahead, but that means nothing. We’ve got to go and produce the goods.”