Ahead of Forest Green Rovers’ massive play-off clash with Newport County we spoke to Chris Kirwan of South Wales Argus to get some insight on the Exiles.
Newport ended the season in pretty strong form, unbeaten in their last five games, do you expect Michael Flynn’s side to continue their form?
Flynn’s found a good formula of late sticking with the same side lately. I think at Southend they weren’t great, but they got the job done to get a point and I think they’ve found the form that they started the season with when they were so good, so I imagine he won’t make changes for the game next week to keep the form going.
One of the biggest bits of news in recent days is the return of fans for both playoff games, just how big a boost do you feel that will be for both sides?
It’s a step in the right direction, we know there’s not going to be a massive number of fans there, but it’ll be great for the players. Unfortunately, they’ve played the whole season with no fans at Rodney Parade but did play one at Leyton Orient in December when there were fans in for a short period of time. I’m sure it’ll give them a lift and it’s very good timing as well with the most important games coming up and the aim for both teams will be to get to Wembley where a few more fans can get in.
There have been a number of encouraging performances from Newport this season, but who do you feel could be the difference maker against FGR?
As of late the tone has been set from the forwards, so you’ve got Padraig Amond and Lewis Collins, who haven’t scored many goals but have shown great energy and are very lively. Throughout the season you have Josh Sheehan who has been the leading figure to get his Wales caps, whether he can be as much of a goal influence as the others because he’s been playing a lot deeper, but I’d say the energy of the front two will get rewarded with goals.
FGR only narrowly finished behind Newport on goal difference but they are a side who had gotten the best of Newport in the regular season. What are you expecting from Jimmy Ball’s side?
It’s tough to tell Forest Green were very good when they came to Newport in February, although the pitch was awful however, they were really well organised by Mark Cooper at the time but without Jamille Matt it will be a different challenge. They’re a good side that probably feel a bit like County in the fact that they let a chance of automatic promotion slip, but they held on and managed to stay in the playoffs in the end. They’re a dangerous side obviously and we have brothers Aaron and Lewis Collins both on display, as a former County player we know he’s dangerous.
There are a number of players with links between the two clubs, with the likes of Jamile Matt and Shawn McCoulsky now at the Green Devils, while Liam Shephard and Wayne Hatswell among others now with Newport. How do you feel these close ties will impact Newport going into the match?
It happens so often in football that I think it’s just a second string thing for players. For Liam Shephard it could be that there’s a feeling deep down by being released but I think footballers are very task orientated, there’s a bigger picture than getting one over the old side. It’s all about promotion and what’s in front of them, that’s the nature of football, it’ll certainly be odd for the Collins brothers facing each other.
While I’m sure it feels like a lifetime away, Newport have another opportunity to reach League One for the first time in the club’s history, what do you make of the Exiles’ chances?
I think Newport have a good chance, the four clubs are all very evenly matched so it’s not like some past years where it’s been one-sided, they’re all pretty tight. But they’ve shown in their cup runs in recent years that they rise to the big occasions, they’ve got that big game mentality going and going close a couple years ago I’m sure they’ll be determined to go one better, they’ve definitely got the quality to do it.
Thank you to Chris for talking to us ahead of next Tuesday’s playoff fixture. Rovers will try their best to give themselves an advantage ahead of welcoming the Exiles for the second leg.
