AHEAD of Newport County’s visit to the Energy Check County Ground this afternoon, Swindon Town manager Richie Wellens has spoke highly of his opposite number Michael Flynn.

Flynn, 38, is League Two’s fifth youngest manager, but is also the division’s fifth longest serving boss having been in charge at Rodney Parade for two years and four months.

Guiding County to last season’s play-off final will rank as Flynn’s best achievement in South Wales during his tenure, particular given his side’s 11th placed finish the season before.

County also reached the fifth round of last season’s FA Cup, knocking out Leicester City and Middlesbrough before falling to Premier League champions Manchester City.

Wellens – who played with Flynn for a brief period in 2004 at Blackpool – praised Flynn most for his honesty when handling tricky on-field situations.

“I will look at results and want him to do well – he’s a great lad,” said Wellens.

“He can get beat on Saturday, and then go back to being on his good run.

“A lot of managers try and paper over cracks when they’re away from home and have only had a couple of hundred fans travel to watch the game – managers can half kid their words in the press conference afterwards.

“Michael Flynn isn’t like that, Michael is honest. If he says they deserved to beat Exeter last week, then I believe him.

“He’s one of the honest people that tells a story as it is. I’ve got a lot of time for him.”

A fortnight ago, Flynn was linked with the then vacant Lincoln City manager’s job after Danny and Nicky Cowley left to join Huddersfield Town.

But Flynn opted to stay in Wales due to his desire to achieve more with Newport despite reportedly having a smaller budget than other teams in League Two.

And his link with the Lincoln job did not take Wellens by surprise – nor will this afternoon’s ‘in your face’ approach Newport are likely to adopt.

“Success will link him with a lot of jobs,” said Wellens.

“He’s been put into a difficult situation. But he’s a built a team that last season just missed out on the play-offs and lost his best player, which in my opinion was his goalkeeper.

“He’s brought players in and they’ve lost one game this season. I know his team will put balls forward, want to win second balls and be in our face.

“Newport will be a threat in the box.”