NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn admitted that some of his squad players didn’t take their chance to impress in last night’s Leasing.com Trophy defeat to Exeter City at Rodney Parade.
Flynn made 10 changes from the weekend win over Carlisle United and his side wasted several opportunities to take the lead in the first half.
Exeter skipper Matt Jay scored a goal in each half to seal victory for the visitors and leave County’s hopes of progressing beyond the group stage in the balance.
The Exiles need a win at Cheltenham Town in their final group game next month and a victory for Exeter over West Ham United under-21s if they are to avoid an early exit.
But Flynn was more concerned with a disappointing second-half performance than the result.
“I think we missed a few opportunities in the first half,” said the manager.
“We should have gone in 3-0 up but we didn’t take our chances.
“In the second half, we didn’t do as well as we could and they were more clinical than us.
“I thought the front three linked up well in the first half but they were quiet in the second half.
“We didn’t quite do enough in the second half and there were a few who were off it.
“The league is the priority,” he added. “It allowed us to give some youth team boys a chance and the fringe players a chance, and there’s a couple who’ve not done themselves any good.”
Dominic Poleon missed a couple of chances on his first start for the club, but Flynn was pleased with the striker’s application.
“I was impressed with how much Dom kept working in the second half because he hasn’t played much lately and he hasn’t had a pre-season,” he said.
“He kept going and he looked quite strong towards the end, but that sharpness is obviously missing a little bit.
“I thought Dom Jefferies did very well in the first half and I thought George Nurse and Ryan Inniss looked very good. It’s good to have Ryan back.”
Could Nurse, who came off the bench to score the late winner against Carlisle on Saturday, force his way into the starting XI in League Two?
“Possibly,” said Flynn. “Not at left-back, but we’ll have a look at it next week.
“Him and Ryan [Haynes] could definitely play together. They’re both good footballers, they’ve got good technique and it would give us a bit of pace as well.”
County are not in league action this weekend as their match at Cheltenham has been postponed due to international call-ups for Danny McNamara, Keanu Marsh-Brown and Lewis Collins.
“The players will have an extended weekend off,” said Flynn.
“It’s not very often we all get a chance to unwind and recharge the batteries and I think it can be a good thing.
“Hopefully it is a good thing because the boys have put a massive effort in so far at the start of the season and we’ll recharge now and get ready to do it for the next 12 games as well.”
It is hoped that assistant manager Wayne Hatswell will be back in the fold before the next match at home to Scunthorpe United on October 19.
“He’s away with personal problems and we’re doing everything we can to support him,” explained Flynn.
Read more: Newport County 0 Exeter City 2 - match report from Rodney Parade
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