Former Wales international Andrew Crofts is playing a crucial role on and off the pitch for League Two Newport County.
Captain Crofts, 34, has made a major impact at Rodney Parade and returns to the team for Newport’s home fixture against Notts County on Tuesday (7.45pm).
“Us young players love the guy,” says teenager Tyreeq Bakinson, who is playing for County on loan from Bristol City.
“He has so much experience and he’s so vocal, in matches and training.
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“Sometimes he’ll pull you to one side after training and tells you that you did this right, did that wrong.
“It’s good for us because we want to learn, keep on improving and get to where he’s been in his career.
“The key piece of advice he’s given me so far is about being more vocal in midfield. He’s made me realise how important it is to speak to your other teammates because it makes their job easier as-well.
“It just helps the team stay together. Age doesn’t really matter in terms of being a leader, no matter what your age you have to be vocal and help your teammates out.”
Kent-born Bakinson, 19, made his full Football League debut for Newport in their 1-1 draw at Exeter City, playing alongside Josh Sheehan and Matty Dolan in midfield.
Manager Michael Flynn has a selection dilemma this evening with Crofts available again and Bakinson told iFollow Exiles: “The fight for starting places is always tough.
“We have a good squad here and we feel like we are doing well.
“It was good to have Matty Dolan and Josh Sheehan were alongside me at Exeter. It allows us to form partnerships in midfield.
“My aim is just to do the fans and the manager proud whenever I play for the club, repaying the confidence he has in starting me.”
Player-manager Kevin Nolan and his Notts team have yet to win this season and are on one point with only Morecambe, Macclesfield and Cheltenham below them in the table.
“They pose another tough test, but we’ll be up for that challenge,” says Bakinson.
“Notts County will want to prove they are still a good team and a title contender.
“It’s crucial, if we want to do well this season, that we make Rodney Parade a fortress.”
Newport have back-to-back League matches, playing Notts this evening and Grimsby Town on Saturday.
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The Magpies strengthened their squad with 10 new signings over the summer, but they have struggled so far this season and lost 4-0 at home against Yeovil Town on Saturday.
Former West Ham player Nolan, 36, described his teams performance as ‘totally unacceptable’, saying: “After that we could bring in another 11 players and nobody could complain or moan about it.
“I am disappointed because we all let ourselves down.”
Newport have defender Mark O’Brien available again after injury, but he may have to be patient with Mickey Demetriou, Scot Bennett and new signing Fraser Franks in outstanding form at the back.
“Mark’s back and gives us more competition for places,” said Flynn.
“He’s going to be frustrated missing the start of the season, but the boys at the back have been outstanding so he has to earn the right to get back in the team.
“I want this healthy competition and I want to be sitting down with players explaining why I’ve left them out.
“I don’t want easy decisions to make and I’ll always decide 100 per cent on what I think is best for our club.
“It doesn’t matter who they are, if I don’t think that they’re in the best XI to get a win then they won’t play.
“I don’t always get it right, but I like to think I’ve got it right more often than not.”
David Pipe went off with a knee problem during the draw at Exeter and is highly unlikely to play, while Robbie Willmott is still ruled out by a hamstring strain.
Newport County (3-4-1-2) possible: Day, Forbes, Franks, Demetriou (capt), Bennett, Butler, Dolan, Crofts (capt), Sheehan, Amond, Matt. Bench: Townsend, O’Brien, Cooper, Bakinson, Semenyo, Marsh-Brown, Harris.