JAMILLE Matt has put the boot into his old teammates twice this season but the former Newport County AFC striker is still backing the Exiles to be in the mix for promotion.
The Exiles’ struggles continued on Sunday when Forest Green Rovers won 2-0 at Rodney Parade.
The Gloucestershire side are looking strong contenders for automatic promotion while County have gone from setting the pace to being in a tight battle for the the play-offs.
Newport were denied a morale-boosting win at the weekend when Matt set up Rovers’ first goal and then won a penalty that he slotted home.
Forest Green are on the up while County are on the slide but the target man, who equalised when the teams met at the New Lawn in December, still sees his old team as promotion rivals.
21.02.21 Newport County v Forest Green Rovers, Sky Bet League 2 - Jamille Matt of Forest Green Rovers, right, scores the second goal as he puts the penalty shot past Newport County goalkeeper Nick Townsend
“One hundred per cent Newport can still be up there at the end of the season with the players they’ve got in their dressing room,” said the 31-year-old, who formed a strong partnership with Padraig Amond.
“I’ve got no doubts they will be up there at the end because they got the drive, the manager and the staff behind them.
“Every team has a blip, but it’s not going to last forever. If they can put together a few results at the end of the season, which is what you have to do, then that’s what counts.
“There are 18 games left and anything can still happen if you can put a few results together.
“Newport had a run at the start of the season when they were flying. Even though they’ve had a bad run they are still up there near the top.
“All you have to do is concentrate on the next game, next game, next game. Keep putting in performances and the results will come and you’ll go on a run.”
01.12.20 - Forest Green Rovers v Newport County - Sky Bet League 2 - Matthew Dolan of Newport County holds off Jamille Matt of Forest Green
The 31-year-old still lives in the city but works over the border after his spell as an Exile ended last summer.
The club were unable to offer a fresh contract because of the coronavirus pandemic and Forest Green snapped up the target man.
“I’m settled in the area and my son goes to school here,” said Matt. “I had two fantastic years at Newport County.
“I am a father and my first remit is to provide for my family and ensure they are alright. That’s something that was taken out of my hands. I couldn’t turn down the offer at Forest Green.
“I’m still living locally in Newport and I guess it’s a bit of a conflict of interest.
"Credit to the Newport fans they have always been fantastic to me and I will always have a lot of time for them.”
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