MICHAEL Flynn admits his Newport County AFC players are punching above their weight in League Two this season but they are ready to take the fight to Mansfield Town this afternoon.

Sixth-placed County are aiming to bounce back from Tuesday’s defeat to Colchester United with a win over the pre-season promotion favourites at Rodney Parade.

And Flynn is backing his men to get the better of Steve Evans’ Stags, who are currently 12th in the League Two table.

“If anything I think we’re punching above our weight,” said the Exiles boss.

“The players have been fantastic and I really enjoy coming in every day.

“As a player I used to get those odd days where I thought ‘I could do without this’ but I haven’t had that so far.

“I’m sure it will come at some point in my managerial career but they are just a joy to work with every day.

“It’s been the same vibe after Tuesday. We don’t get too carried away when we win and we won’t get too carried away when we lose.

“We try to keep it as a level playing field but we obviously want to get back to winning ways.”

Flynn believes Luton Town are now the clear favourites to win the league with his side in the chasing pack.

“Colchester showed the other night how fine the margins are in this league – anyone can beat anyone,” he said.

“The only team that I really fancy, odds-on to win, at the moment is Luton.

“They won 4-1 at Exeter and they beat Stevenage 7-1 and Yeovil 8-2.

“They’re looking good at the moment and I think everyone else is going to be playing catch-up to Luton.”

But Flynn is certain his side can stay in the hunt if they get the basics right.

“What you’ve got to do is take more chances that the opposition, which is obvious, make less mistakes than the opposition and you’ve got to out-work the opposition,” he added.

“That’s the nature of this league and if you do that then nine times out of 10 you’ll win the football match.”

Heavy rain over the past few days will mean there is no need to water the pitch before kick-off today, something that concerned the Exiles boss on Tuesday.

“When the ball was moving from side to side you could see how much water was on the surface,” he said.

“I did ask if we’d requested the pitch to be watered and the answer was no.

“I don’t know why it was because on a Tuesday night you’ve got the moisture from the air anyway and the pitch is in good condition.

“I don’t know why it was watered that much and I will be asking those questions.

“The pitch is unbelievable and the ground staff were obviously trying to look after it but I just think it was probably a little bit too much on Tuesday.”