LENNIE Lawrence has warned the Newport County AFC players to expect “a kick in the teeth” and to be “dumped on their backside” if they take their foot off the gas in the battle to avoid relegation.

Lawrence is acting as first team management consultant at Rodney Parade and he’s helped caretaker manager Michael Flynn and his assistant Wayne Hatswell to earn four wins in seven games.

A return of 13 points out of 21 has seen the Exiles cut the gap to safety from 11 points down to just three with five games to go.

And Flynn’s men will climb out of the bottom two for the first time since November if they beat Yeovil Town tomorrow and Hartlepool United lose at home to Carlisle United.

But Lawrence, who has 39 years of experience in management, says the job is not done yet and he knows the Exiles must continue their remarkable recent form if they are to beat the drop.

“Michael has been very good,” said the 69-year-old former Cardiff City, Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough boss.

“His man-management skills have been excellent, he’s pulled the playing squad together.

“He’s been well supported by Wayne Hatswell and everybody is singing from the same hymn sheet.

“They’re a good bunch of lads and Michael’s really got them onside.

“He’s very good with them and they’re responding very well – even the ones who are out of the team.

“There’s some talent there,” he added. “I was surprised. I haven’t done much in League Two in my life and I’ve been very surprised at the level of technical ability, looking at them in training.

“Obviously there’s been something missing but certainly at the moment the players are putting a major shift in in each game.

“And some spectacular goals have seen us pick up a few points and inch towards safety.”

South Wales Argus:

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Lawrence said Flynn will have pulled off a miracle if he manages to keep his hometown club in League Two.

“In order to survive from where they were it was necessary to show top-eight form,” he said.

“That’s what we’ve managed to do so far but obviously there’s still five games ahead and once you start taking things for granted or thinking you’ve done it – as I know from my many years in the game – that’s when football can kick you in the teeth.

“It would be a Great Escape – they were 11 points adrift with an inferior goal difference, which probably made it 12 in reality.

“I said when we got there: ‘the best we can hope for is to need three points on the last day’ and that would be a miracle in itself.

“If safety comes before that it would be an absolute miracle.

“I’ve done my bits and pieces but credit to Michael and to the directors for backing him and the other staff.

“There’s still five obstacles to overcome yet and football teaches you that once you think you’ve cracked it then the game will turn on you and you’ll be dumped on your backside.

“We’ve got to keep the same focus, the same work ethic and hopefully we can [do it].”

South Wales Argus:

Lawrence also believes that Flynn (above) would be a good fit for a permanent role in the dugout at Rodney Parade.

“If you’re going to be a coach or a manager you’ve got to have enthusiasm and you’ve got to have energy,” he added.

“Those are the foundation blocks and he’s got bags of that and he’s transmitted it to the players.

“No disrespect to Newport but with a club that size if you’re the manager you’ve got to really care.

“It can’t be just a job, you’ve got to really care about it.

“And obviously, because of his background and because of his nature, it’s obvious to everybody that he really does.

“I think that’s an essential pre-requisite if you’re going to manage a club that’s not one of the biggest even in League Two.”