Newport County manager Michael Flynn is wary of Leyton Orient despite their lowly league position. The Exiles travel to East London looking for a fourth consecutive win and the 39 year old highlighted the unpredictable nature of League Two. Speaking to Newport-county.co.uk “they’re tough to beat at their place, it is a league Two games and anybody can beat anybody. I’m not going there arrogantly or over confident”.

• Sit 11th on 36 points
• League Record – P25  W9  D9  L7  F25  A22
• One defeat in the last six – W3  D2  L1
• Unbeaten in last four league games – W2  D2

Newport moved up to 11th last weekend after a 2-0 home victory over league leaders Swindon Town. Goals from Josh Sheehan and Jamille Matt saw the Exiles to back to back league wins for the first time since October. Flynn was delighted with the win stating to southwalesargus.co.uk “ it was very solid, it wasn’t pretty but I make no excuses for that. It was a very effective way of beating Swindon”.

Newport County’s Last Six results

Striker Matt scored and assisted in the win over Swindon and highlighted the competition within the squad is keeping people on their toes. The 30 year old who is in his second season at Rodney Parade stated to southwalesargus.co.uk “I’ve got two in two and I’m raring to go if selected. I never want to rest, I want to play every minute. You’ve got to put everything out there everyday in training and in every game to make sure you’ve got your spot”.

• Away League Record – P11  W3  D3  L5  F9  A11
• Joint lowest scorers away
• Only Cheltenham (8) have conceded fewer away
• One win in last five league games – W1  L4
• Only 33% of their points come away from home

The Exiles have struggled for goals this term and are the lowest scorers in the top half. A early goal against Swindon set them on their way with Flynn praising the performance of his whole group to help get the win. Speaking to newportcounty.co.uk “winning, a clean sheet, the boys carried out the instructions to a tee, no injuries, no red cards and no silly fouls given away. It was a very professional performance, that’s what pleased me most”.

• Failed to score in six league games – five away
• Only scored two or more in six of their 25 league games
• Scored in last four games
• Scored in three of their last five away games
• Only failed in one of their last seven games

Newport saw their leasing.com game against Leicester postponed on Tuesday night and Flynn knows his side will face a testing run of fixtures in the coming weeks. The 39 year old has already added four players in January and he acknowledged he will need all of his squad. Speaking to southwalesargus.co.uk “it’s going to be a big fixture pile up, Saturday, Tuesdays now until probably close to the end of season. As long as we’ve got a fully fit squad, it will give us a chance and hopefully allow us to continue our momentum”.

Newport’s Next Six Fixtures

The Exiles have at least two games in hand on their play off rivals and will be looking to push on into the top seven. Matt is not looking too far ahead and insists it is all about the next game. Speaking after the Swindon victory to southwalesargus.co.uk “it’s obviously a good thing to beat the league leaders twice but the important thing is getting those points on the board and keeping looking upwards”.

• Kept nine league clean sheets (four away)
• Kept two in his last three
• First clean sheet in 13 league games vs Swindon
• No clean sheet in last five away league games
• One clean sheet in last eight league away games

Team News

Striker Padriag Amond could be back after missing last weekend’s win over Swindon. On loan Dale Gorman is ineligible against his parent club while Dan Leadbitter and Ade Azeez are out injured. Ash Baker is set to continue while Billy Water and Jordan Green are pushing for inclusion in the starting 11.

Head to Head – Newport 18, Draw 14, Leyton Orient 19

Last meeting – 29/12/2019 – Newport 1-1 Leyton Orient

The Last Seven Meetings Between Sides

• Newport have only won one of their last seven meetings – W1  D2  L4
• Three of the last four wins in the fixture have been by the away side
• Both teams have scored in just two of the last six meetings
• Newport have only lost two of the last seven away fixtures – W3  D2  L2

Last Time Out – 18/01/2020 – Newport 2-0 Swindon

Starting 11 vs Swindon Town

Prediction – Leyton Orient 1-1 Newport County