Newport County deserve FA Cup shot at Man United - Coughlan

The Exiles led 1-0 at the break courtesy of Aaron Wildig’s early strike but were stunned soon after the restart by Paul McCallum’s wonderful leveller.

However, County got back in front when James Clarke headed in a corner on the hour and then sealed the win through top scorer Will Evans with 12 minutes to go.

Here is the reaction from Exiles boss Graham Coughlan…

LEAD: County celebrate James Clarke putting them 2-1 up at Eastleigh (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Q: Graham, you must be really proud of your team?

A: It didn’t take a win against Eastleigh for me to be proud of the group, I have said since I walked through the door that I am massively proud of them, the supporters, the whole club for the camaraderie and resilience shown.

It is special night for the club and that group of players.

Q: Were you worried when Eastleigh equalised?

A: You don’t want to concede goals, we had a clean sheet against Doncaster on Saturday and wanted to build on that.

But I have to take my hat off, it was a hell of strike by Paul McCallum.

I must before going further congratulate both teams because the amount of pressure that each and every one of those players was under on that pitch [was huge], the amount of expectation from both clubs, the sheer pressure that they were playing under.

The clubs served up two belters, both ties were cracking and I do think most people would agree that over the course of the two games we were the better team and deserved to be in the next round, but you don’t always get what you deserve.

On the whole we were very good in both games but Eastleigh pushed us all the way and, both the players and their fans when they came to us, represented their club immensely well.

SUPERB: Paul McCallum fired Eastleigh level against County (Image: Press Association)

Q: The players had to dig deep…

A: Let’s have it right, the reason we were brought here for a replay was a shocking decision.

Circumstances didn’t go our way and that’s the reason we had to go to Eastleigh, but let’s congratulate them.

They beat a League One club in Reading and I am pretty sure they would have fancied doing a League Two club.

I hope that they push on and that they can get into the play-off places because they are a really good club with some really good people.

Q: You mentioned the pantomime of Manchester United on Monday…

A: I had to protect my players and keep the pressure off them by playing down the rewards of this game.

Both teams had immense pressure on their shoulders and it didn’t need me blowing it up or adding to it. I didn’t want our players to freeze under pressure, so had to play it down a little bit.

CLASS: Marcus Rashford on the run for Manchester United in their FA Cup win at Wigan (Image: Press Association)

Q: What does it mean to play Manchester United?

A: For me and my family it’s a hell of an honour – we are a big Man United family and have followed them through thick and thin.

It means a lot to the club and to this group of players, who have worked their socks off for me, run through brick walls and put their bodies on the line.

To come through what they have come through, I am really proud of them because they are a terrific group of boys… and they know what I am going to be on about now, I’m going to ask them to go out and perform on Saturday against Wrexham.

I’ll ask them to put Manchester United on the back burner, although that is probably an impossible task.

We have some really juicy fixtures with Wrexham on Saturday, Manchester United, Swindon – three sell outs coming up – and our club should cherish that and revel in that.

Hopefully we will do ourselves proud on Saturday and against the mighty Man United.

Q: What does this mean financially with the Huw Jenkins takeover imminent?

A: As a dressing room, as a group of players and staff, we have probably earned the right to maybe go in the transfer market and bring one or two players in.

Huw Jenkins was here and hopefully this adds to the bounce, atmosphere and good times this club is going through at the moment.

Let me tell you, it wasn’t always like that.

Coming through the door 18 months ago it was absolutely one of the toughest challenges that I have taken on.

Hopefully we have come through it, hopefully tonight can help us and hopefully Huw Jenkins’ takeover can push us on.

I would really love to try and build something and push on – hopefully the FA Cup can be a springboard, not only with the feelgood factor and the fans going home happy but the financial gain.

Q: But Manchester United at Rodney Parade…

It doesn’t happen to people like me, I can’t get my head around it.

To have Manchester United coming to Rodney Parade, it’s unbelievable and a hell of an achievement.

I am sure my dad, my brothers, my nephews, my kids are doing Irish jigs around the house and doing somersaults.

It’s going to be a hell of an occasion and I just can’t wait.

TIE: Scot Bennett tackles Gabriel Jesus in Newport County's clash with Manchester City

Q: Is the Manchester United game the biggest in the club’s history?

I am sure one or two will have a debate.

It was a fifth round tie against Man City and this is a fourth round tie against Man United.

But for me, Man United are the biggest club in this country, the biggest club in Europe, the biggest club in the world.

I am a touch biased but I would answer that question with a big fat ‘yes’!

I know some people would lean towards the fifth round game against Man City, but I'd say Man United all day long.

Q: Do you fancy your chances of an upset?

Let’s not get carried away! I am really emotional at the moment and I don’t want to start putting my size nines in it by coming out with some stupid statement!

It’s something that we will absorb and have a right good go at, but they are a class act and a brilliant club. I have had years of turmoil following them and then some great years.

Q: Taking on Erik ten Hag…

They are the elite level and you always want to compete against those type of managers. It will be brilliant and probably the best moment of my managerial career so far.

Q: How easy will it be to concentrate on Wrexham?

A: We are on a decent run in fairness, we have a little bit of momentum and confidence in that changing room.

They are singing and dancing in there, they are over the moon and deserve it after putting themselves through all those hard training sessions and all that running in pre-season.

I can’t be prouder of the group and hopefully we can have 24 to 48 hours to reflect and enjoy before we start getting our heads on Wrexham, which is a massive game as well.