Jamille Matt intends to repay the faith shown in him by Michael Flynn tonight – by exceeding his manager’s expectations.
Forget their FA Cup run for a moment, and its fleeting impact, the 20-goal County striker will lead the line for his team in their biggest game of the season when he lines up against Mansfield, the Stags, at a packed Rodney Parade.
But the first leg of the League Two play-offs will also prove an opportunity for Matt – a goal-scoring hero against Leicester City this season – to repay, with interest, the confidence shown in him by Flynn.
The 29-year-old was something of a journeyman when he arrived at Newport last summer on a free transfer from Blackpool, having been on loan at Grimsby.
Matt had already gone through six clubs, in various forms, but had scored only four goals last season. But Flynn believed there was still an untapped talent within the rangy forward – a belief dating back to a Blue Square Premier Division match in 2012.
Matt was playing for Kidderminster Harriers and scored a hat-trick against Newport, for whom Flynn was still part of as a player.
“There’s a picture that went around of me jumping over him to score a header,” says Matt, whose goals and engaging personality have already made him a hero to the Amber Army.
“He probably remembered me a little bit from that. I remember that Newport team. They were top of the league at the time and a very good side.
“As soon as he spoke to me last summer, he mentioned the fact that we played against each other. He showed a lot of belief in me.
“He told me he wanted 20 goals from me this season and believed in me that I could get it. When someone shows that faith in you it’s massive.”
The 20th duly arrived last weekend, when Newport needed it most. The Exiles were trailing 1-0 at Morecombe, needing at least point to clinch seventh place and the last available play-off spot.
Matt’s equaliser was priceless, but he wants number 21 against Mansfield to show his respect for Flynn extends to over-paying with a tip.
Matt did not move house to Newport immediately, while he sorted out some domestic arrangements and acknowledges the role played by Flynn.
“He was very patient. He let me sort a few things out and in the end I moved house and it’s been a fantastic club to be part of.
“The manager has created a fantastic environment. The team spirit is excellent, the best I’ve ever known it.
“Everyone wants to help each other in training every day. It’s a club that seems to be built on togetherness. I noticed it from the first day I came here. There was a massive onus on getting players settled in.
“It was about getting everyone feeling together, settled and comfortable. There was a barbeque where all the families were invited and that set the tone. That’s been a massive part of it off the field, to know our families are settled.
“There are also fans whose faces you see around this club all the time and you get to know them on a first-name basis. That kind of pushes on.”
It has certainly pushed Matt on. He rates this season as the best of his career and his strike partnership with Padraig Amond, who has hit 22 goals this season, has been critical in County’s success in both League and Cup.
He adds: “It’s been my best season in football, without a doubt. I have maybe played as well in other seasons, but not got the goals. That’s something I’m proud of.
“When we had our FA Cup run, people suggested it was the peak for us, to play against those big clubs, and they were specials moments.
“But we always knew the league is the bread-and-butter, over 46 games. To get into the play-offs is massive for the club. But we’re not here to make up the numbers. We want to compete and win through to the final.”
Matt has play-off history – and mainly of the good sort. He was part of the Fleetwood and Blackpool teams that won through to Wembley play-off promotion, but missed out with a losing final when at Plymouth.
He insists the experiences of European football this week prove that over two legs, the outcome is never decided after only 90 minutes.
“I’ve been involved in play-offs three times. I won two and lost one, but I’ve always managed to get to Wembley, so – touch wood – I can do it again.
“It would be fantastic to get there again. It’s the best way to get promoted. This would be four times in six years.
“I’ll gets you less time off, but you don’t mind extending the season into the summer.
“But, first and foremost, you have to be defensively sound. You have to make sure you are still in the tie for the second leg and it’s about holding your nerve.
“There will be times when it’s going to be tough – and you have to ride that. It doesn’t have to be win. A lead would be fantastic, but the vital thing is to stay in the tie.
“You can’t win it in the first leg, but you can give yourselves a problem if the result isn’t a good one. You have to stay in it and as we have seen in Europe over two legs, anything can happen.”
