FA Cup: Boss Graham Coughlan wants another 'slice of history' for Newport County
- Published
Newport County reached the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2018 and round five in 2019 - but have not made it to the third round in the last two seasons
Newport County manager Graham Coughlan has called on his players to bring back the FA Cup glory days to Rodney Parade.
Under previous boss Mike Flynn, Newport became renowned giantkillers with headline grabbing upsets and money spinning ties against sides like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
Now they set off on another cup journey at home to National League Oldham Athletic in Saturday's first round.
"We all want to bring those days back," said Coughlan.
"Cup runs are great, the FA Cup is excellent, I remember watching them on the television. There were some great nights and some great occasions here at Rodney Parade.
"We want to have our slice of history, our little slice of the FA Cup."
Newport have only failed to get past the first round once in the last eight seasons.
In a celebrated couple of campaigns they pulled off giant killing victories over Leeds United, former Premier League champions Leicester City and Middlesbrough.
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They also boosted their coffers by pushing Tottenham Hotspur to a replay and hosted Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in a round five encounter - their best run in this competition in 2019.
Coughlan said: "I have to be realistic and understand Newport probably in those days were a lot stronger on the field and probably off the field than we are these days.
"But my ambition doesn't change, the players ambitions don't change and the fans ambition doesn't change. We all want to bring those days back."
The cash generated by Newport's cup runs helped the club cope with the covid lockdown.
"We are aware of the financial implications, we are aware of the history, we are aware of the tradition and if anyone in the dressing room is not, I am sure [former players] Mark O'Brien and David Pipe will be in their ear informing them and letting them know," added former Mansfield and Bristol Rovers boss Coughlan.
Goalkeeper Johnny Maxted is a doubt with illness, so academy keeper Fraser Needham could be needed on the bench.
But Coughlan says there is promise on the injury front with Bristol City loan striker Seb Palmer-Houlden, centre back James Clark and midfielder Harry Charsley anticipated to return within the next two to four weeks.