By Paul Jones
Michael Flynn has told his Newport County players they need to improve the quality of their football if they are to stay in the hunt for promotion from League Two.
The County manager saw his team lose 1-0 at Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night, a defeat that leaves then outside of the play-off places in eighth place in the table.
Flynn could have pointed to a penalty claim late on when Mickey Demetriou’s long ball forward into the penalty area struck the arm of defender Calum MacDonald.
But the former County midfielder was not interested in blaming the officials as he feels his own players – who have managed just one victory in their last six matches – hold the key to their destiny this season.
“I don’t want to go on about the referee because there are parts we need to take responsibility for,” said Flynn.
“We didn’t lose the game because of that [penalty decision]. We lost because of our lack of quality in the final third with cross and shot decision-making and being too cavalier at the start of the game, which they were told not to.
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“They worked their socks off and their effort was as good as it could be but we need a little bit more if we want to do anything.”
The Exiles also have a game in hand over Morecambe and Bolton Wanderers, who sit fourth and fifth respectively, and will be aiming to bounce back from the defeat against Rovers when they travel to Colchester United on Saturday.
“At the minute it’s hard to deal with because there are games that we should have won but have lost,” added Flynn.
“It’s frustrating. We want to go and win a couple of games in a row and the longer we leave it, the harder it’s going to get.”
Liam Feeney hit the winner after seven minutes to give Tranmere their third win on the spin.
Midfielder Feeney drilled home the opener from 18 yards after Priestley Farquharson lost possession.
They clung doggedly to that lead, with defender Peter Clarke making two key blocks to keep them ahead.