Manager Michael Flynn has warned his Newport County players, staying: “Beware a Cambridge United backlash.”
County have won all of their last six meetings against the U’s to a combined goals aggregate of 17-5, including Jamille Matt and Padraig Amond both firing four against Cambridge in 2018-19.
Can they make it seven in a row today?
“It means for absolutely nothing,” says Flynn. “The positive results have come because we probably played better than them at that point in time.
“We need to start bright and take our chances, but Cambridge have vastly improved this season with the players brought in.
“I have the utmost respect for Colin Calderwood and his staff. He is highly respected and has signed some good players. I like the right back, Kyle Knoyle, who was at Swindon.
“They have just signed Marc Richards, an experienced player at this level. They also have players like George Maris to come back in.
“It’s going to be a tough, tough afternoon.”
Flynn are intent on improving League Two away results this season, having earned 23 points on the road and 48 at Rodney Parade.
“I hope we do improve the away form,” he says. “Only six away wins last season and we need to turn the losses we had into draws, then the draws into wins.
“If we want to be around the top seven, we’ll need to do that. It’s just down to cutting out some mistakes.”
County earned a 2-2 draw against Mansfield Town in their opening League match when newly-appointed captain Joss Labadie led the team out.
“Joss will be the captain on the pitch because he takes the responsibility really well and we get more out of him,” said Flynn.
“Mark O’Brien will be vice-captain and also club captain because. Mark has a special place in Newport County AFC history now and he’s at the age where he can handle the responsibility of being the club figure, the face around the community and things like that.
“This decision will bring the best out of the both of them.”
Newport defender Dan Leadbitter faces a late fitness check after he missed last week’s draw with Mansfield.
