THE Newport County AFC players are determined to put last week’s opening day defeat behind them by claiming three points in today’s first home match of the season.

County’s League Two campaign got off to a false start last week as they went down to a 3-0 defeat at Mansfield Town.

And Michael Flynn’s men are desperate to get up and running this afternoon with a win over Crewe Alexandra at Rodney Parade.

Crewe are top of the embryonic table after they hammered Morecambe 6-0 at home last week and they have a good record in Newport.

They are unbeaten in five trips to the city going back to 1978 and David Artell’s men won 2-1 at Rodney Parade in March.

But new signing Charlie Cooper, who came off the bench for the final 18 minutes at Mansfield last week, is confident that the Exiles can earn a win today.

“It’s the start of the season so you’re just finding your feet and anything can happen,” he said of the loss at Field Mill.

“I don’t think we played too badly. I think it was just a case of three mistakes, which led to their goals, but I thought we played some good stuff in parts.

“I think with a good week’s training this week and all the lads being up for it and together we’ll be flying.

“We’ve got a lot of ability in the changing room and it’s just a case of us hitting the ground running at home and putting last week’s defeat behind us.”

Cooper is banking on the support of a big crowd for his first competitive match at Rodney Parade after a taste of the atmosphere in the friendly against Stoke City under-23s last month.

“I’m definitely looking forward to playing at Rodney Parade. I know there’ll be a good backing behind us,” said the 21-year old midfielder.

“All the fans will get behind the boys and that’s a massive factor and it will be a big help for us at home.”

Cooper, who joined on loan from Forest Green Rovers in the summer, is competing with Matty Dolan, Scot Bennett and fellow new arrivals Andrew Crofts and Tyreeq Bakinson for a starting spot in central midfield.

“It’s a long season so everyone’s going to be needed,” he said.

“We all just need to get our head down and when called upon we’ll be ready to go and play and perform. That’s definitely what I’ll be doing.

“I want to play as many games as possible and I’ll be training hard but it’s up to the gaffer to choose the team he thinks is best for each game.

“Every game is a different game plan because we’re playing against different players and different teams so the manager and his assistants will pick the team for each opponent.”

Utility man Robbie Willmott can also play in central midfield but he’s likely to miss out today as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

Willmott was a frustrated observer last week and could fulfil the same role today but he’s confident that the team can bounce back with a win.

“The camp was obviously a bit down after the Mansfield game but there were positives to come out of it,” he said.

“We should have scored a number of goals, I felt watching the game.

“The gaffer and Hats [assistant Wayne Hatswell] have picked the lads up and we’ve got a home game now to put things right.

“It’s good that it’s at home because it gives the new lads a chance to show what they’re about as well.”