Newport County manager encouraged by excellent start to the season

County continued their fine start to the season with a shock 2-0 win at League One Southend United in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night thanks to two goals from new loan star Shawn McCoulsky.

It was a result that helps maintain the momentum from last season’s successful battle to beat the drop and Flynn is cautiously optimistic that his side can finish much higher than 22nd in League Two this season.

“It keeps the momentum going and we want to keep that going all season,” said the Exiles boss.

“We’re going to have ups and downs but let’s just make sure we have more ups than downs.

“I think the club has been through enough downs over the last few years and I’m starting to feel like the good times might be coming back.”

Flynn was particularly pleased with McCoulsky, who put a missed first-half chance behind him to take his goal tally to three in two games with two second-half strikes at Roots Hall.

“He should have scored in the first half and he knows that but he’s got the character to keep getting in the right areas at the right time and he’s got three in two now,” said Flynn.

“I’m really pleased for him and long may it continue. It’s a long season but it’s a good start.

“He’s got to keep that going now because he’s only here on loan so he’s got to impress his parent club Bristol City, who were brilliant in helping us get him here.”

McCoulsky was partnered by Lamar Reynolds (above) on Tuesday, with Frank Nouble impressing as a second-half substitute and Flynn admits he has some big calls to make when selecting the team for Saturday’s trip to Crewe Alexandra.

“I want tough decisions to make,” he said. “I want to have those dilemmas rather than having a team that almost picks itself with no competition because I think that allows complacency to creep in.

“It’s going to be a tough game on Saturday. Their manager was here and I’m sure they’ll be going back with a lot of positive things to say about us.”

Flynn praised an “outstanding” team performance at Southend.

“Tom Owen-Evans and Ben White were both excellent, as was Robbie Willmott,” he said.

“Lamar was dangerous at times, Shawn got his goals, Frank and Joss Labadie were brilliant when they came on, David Pipe, Joe Day and Dan Butler were solid.

“Mickey Demetriou was very good and Matty Dolan just kept going and going again.

“It was a really impressive night but it’s one I won’t be getting carried away with.”

Scot Bennett was withdrawn at half-time and may be a doubt for Saturday.

“Scot had a knock very early on and he was struggling to push off so we took him off as a precaution and we’ll see how it settles down,” said the manager.

Marlon Jackson and Ben Tozer are still ruled out due to injury.