DEFENDER Fraser Franks believes Newport County AFC are beginning to build a new reputation and earn greater respect for playing good football under manager Michael Flynn.

Franks, who joined from League Two rivals Stevenage in the summer, admits that people in the game used to view County as a physical and direct side.

But he is certain that the Exiles are changing the perceptions of their rivals by introducing a shorter passing game and a more free-flowing style.

“I feel like we’re changing the reputation of this club,” said Franks.

“The manager and Hats [assistant Wayne Hatswell] are doing that and we’re getting a bit more respect from teams.

“Before, under previous regimes, teams labelled us as long-ball but I think anyone who’s watched us this year can argue against that.

“We’re a good team and we get it down and play.”

Franks, who scored his first goal for the club against Notts County last week, and fellow centre-back Mickey Demetriou are enjoying the freedom to join in attacks but their priority is still keeping clean sheets.

“I like to chip in with a few goals,” he said. “I think I’ve got more license to get on the ball in a back three – me and Mickey are encouraged to do that.

“It is a part of my game that I enjoy but the main thing for me is games like Saturday [a 1-0 win over Grimsby Town] when we’re winning 1-0 and stopping the opposition from scoring.”

The new style has been evident as Flynn’s men have climbed to fifth in the League Two table thanks to wins over Crewe Alexandra, Notts County and Grimsby and a fine draw at Exeter City.

They will be aiming to put the midweek Carabao Cup defeat to League One Oxford United behind them when they go to Port Vale on Saturday.

And Franks is confident that they can pick up where they left off against Grimsby last weekend.

“We won’t let it derail us,” said the 27-year-old. “We’ve been in good form and we’ll go again Saturday.

“We won four out of five and we lost a cup game that we were probably expected to lose,” he added.

“We wanted to win but we’ve made a few changes and given people some minutes and the most important thing for us is the league.

“We’ll pick up where we left off on Saturday – a clean sheet and a strong performance – and take that to Port Vale.”

County’s good start to the season may have surprised a few people but Franks is not one of them.

“I’m not surprised,” he said. “We had a good pre-season and the spine is still here from last season.

“It’s the easiest I’ve ever settled in to a club and we want to keep progressing.

“I think the fans are a realistic bunch and they’ve got behind us.

“We want to win as many football games as we can. We started poorly at Mansfield, result-wise, but then we had five good results in a row.

“We’ve got a solid team but we’re still getting to know each other as players and we’re just going to take each game as it comes and hopefully pick up some points along the way.”