NEWPORT County AFC will be out to start their festive fixtures with a bang today by making it four games unbeaten in League Two, and midfielder Robbie Willmott isn’t offering opponents Lincoln City any Christmas cheer (kick-off 3pm).

Danny Cowley’s promotion-chasing Imps travel to Rodney Parade for this afternoon’s clash on the back of a three-match winning streak that has lifted them into the play-offs – County sit two points behind in ninth.

But Willmott, dropped to the bench by Exiles boss Michael Flynn for last Saturday’s defeat of Cambridge United, has made his feelings clear when it comes to the visitors’ playing style.

“To be honest, they are a horrible team,” he said. “They’re very direct.

“Teams call us direct but that’s a different kind of direct (to Lincoln).

“I think everyone has played against Matt Rhead at this level and knows what he possesses in the air.

“I saw them on television a lot last season and they are direct, and I think that’s what we’re going to have to deal with.

“They’ve got two good forwards, Matt Green’s (former County striker) a decent goal scorer, and they’ve got a lot of threats we’ve got to keep an eye on. But we’re the home team so we’ve just got to take the game to them.”

County, too, have been criticised by opposition managers for what they perceive as a direct playing style, but Willmott insists those comments are like water off a duck’s back.

“I don’t think we really care (what people say),” he added.

“If you beat teams and they come out and say that then you’ve obviously done a good job.

“I’ve seen a lot of managers this year saying that they’ve worked on a lot of things in training and haven’t been able to deal with what we bring.

“We’re obviously doing something right and we’re not going to change anything for any team.

“Set-pieces are part and parcel of football and if you’re not good at them you’re going to ship goals.

“We’re decent at both ends and we’re able to score from them and defend them.

“Teams have got to work hard on the training ground to stop us because we’ve got good delivery and players who like to head the ball.”

Willmott is hoping to force his way back into the starting XI and a hectic schedule over the next fortnight could see him get more game time if Flynn decides to rotate his squad.

But the 27-year-old doesn’t think that is necessarily going to be the case, adding: “You can rotate the squad but if the team’s doing well then it’s hard to change it.

“Results are picking up for us so I don’t think we want to change it too much.

“But everyone has got to be ready to go in and do a good job if they are given a chance.

“I understand why I was left out, it’s not my natural position to play as a deeper midfielder.

“For me, it’s now about working hard on the training ground and trying to get back in the team, wherever the gaffer puts me.”

He continued: “We’ve just got to keep picking up results where we can, keep the home form going, and nick a few results away.

“There is no reason why a team like Newport can’t be in the play-offs at the end of the season.”