Fleetwood Town Season Preview: will Barton be a success?

With the 2018-19 League One season not far off, The Football Lab spoke to Fleetwood Town fan Ben Knapman (@benknappy) from the brilliant Cods Vlogs…

The obvious place to start with Fleetwood Town is the summer appointment of Joey Barton as manager. Are you excited to have an influential football figure in charge of your club, or concerned by his lack of directly relevant experience?

Joey is an exciting appointment. He has boosted Fleetwood’s Profile. He has the potential to be a great hungry British Head Coach and started at a good club in Fleetwood. I’m very excited for it and feel we can play good football and win games that we failed to do last season. Experience has been mentioned but we need to give these British players a chance in management then we will never know how they do. We’ve seen it all over with Gerrard, Lampard and Now Barton. I’m very excited!

Goalkeeper Alex Cairns seemed to have a good season last year – his save at Northampton was extraordinary. Are you happy with his development?

Alex Cairns Is a very good keeper and someone that I really regard as one of the best in league one. He had a poor run round Christmas where he was dropped but cake in and made a big difference to our survival with some brilliant Saves. Especially the one at Northampton what a save that was. Outstanding to get back up for the 2nd and the 3rd one was just sublime!

Amari’i Bell left for Blackburn in January. Having signed the energetic Eddie Clarke and the experienced Tommy Spurr, do you feel you’ve got different options for left-back?

Yes. Amari was someone who drove the ball forward and took on the opposition on but his crossing was very poor and mainly went into the crowd or over the bar. Eddie is like Amari: energetic, fast and attacking. I hope he can defend too as we need our left back to defend more then Amari did as it’s a different system to the one Bell played in. Tommy Spurr really impressed me at Salford wasn’t afraid and played the ball out well. He will be there fighting for a place next season no doubt.

Lewie Coyle returns on another loan deal from Leeds. Are you hopeful he’ll get back to full fitness?

Lewie is a terrific player who I really rate. I think he has a good future ahead of him. He’s one that I would love to sign permanently. He’s attacking and defends well. He’s a good character too and makes the team better. I hope he will be fit like the other 23-25 members of our squad ready for the 4th August as we face AFC Wimbledon at Highbury.

Ashley Eastham and Cian Bolger have been regulars over the last two seasons but Craig Morgan signs from Wigan; and the signs are that Joey Barton will only use two centre-backs. Who do you think will drop out against Wimbledon?

I feel we will go with Ashley Eastham and Tommy Spurr. They work well together very hardworking and more calm on the ball. Bolger passes side to side whereas Eastham and Spurr play the ball out to the midfield and suit the way Barton wants to play!

Kyle Dempsey looks a threat with those strong challenges and driving forward runs. Are you surprised he’s not had a move back to the Championship by now?

No I’m not. He was a missing character until February last season and he’s only scored 3 goals in 83 appearances. However he has played in a more deeper role in the majority. And now looks like the player we had last season. One who drives forward and gives us a attacking source. If he shows that he is a pleasure to watch. He’s an athlete too. Runs and works hard. So if he carries on like the last 15-20 games of last season yes he will get his move!

Holding midfielder Jason Holt signs on loan from Rangers while Jay Matete joins from Reading. Does this suggest Toumani Diagouraga is on his way?

Jason Holt looks similar to Dempsey or Stefan Scougal who we had a couple of years ago. Small but is an engine. Hopefully he shows the quality Joey believes he has. Jay is for the development team so I don’t think he will feature.

Wide man Bobby Grant featured regularly in the 2016-17 play-off campaign. How do you feel he fared last season?

With Bobby you get a character who helps the team get going if we have conceded and always gives 110%. He didn’t play too much last season as he had an injury and came back coming on as a sub. He scored a few critical goals though. Oxford at home in the 89th minute to seal 3 points the stand out! He looks sharp and ready for this season, I feel he will get between 5-10 goals.

Conor McAleny and Ashley Hunter formed a nice pairing at the tail-end of last season. If both players drift into wide areas at times, do they then become harder for opposing defences to mark?

Yes, they’re quick and skilful. Ashley is someone who frightens the opposition he’s so fast and tricky. He improves year by year and is no longer our super sub, he’s a regular starter. McAleny looks dangerous but could do with passing more. He was a greedy with the ball sometimes, however if he’s fit he’s dangerous and could get between 10-15 goals next season. So let’s hope he does well and stays fit!

Paddy Madden was one of the best goalscorers in League One not long ago. Do you think he can recapture his form, or could Ashley Nadesan orWes Burns move ahead of him in the pecking order?

Paddy Madden is a poacher and will score next season no doubt. He will get 15+ next season. And works hard for the team. He scored 6 last season in the half we had him. Now under Joey, he will get the best out of Paddy and will make him score goals again. Ashley Nadesan needs a chance, we brought him 2 seasons ago and has played about 8 minutes at the start of the season. He impressed at Carlisle scoring 4 assisting 2. And works hard for the team. He will get his chance. Wes hadn’t done anything really since we had him on loan 24 months ago but he is in for a chance like the others. Let’s hope he proves himself again!

Cod Army aside, what are your thoughts ahead of the League One season as a whole? Any potential dark horses for you?

I feel Luton will be up there round the playoffs and maybe sneak In in the last day! They have signed some good players from higher divisions. I also feel Accrington will prove a few people wrong. As they will be determined to stay up. I feel Rochdale could be in for a another tough season same with Gillingham!

Where will you finish?

9th, that would be a big improvement and nearer the top than the bottom. Let’s hope Joey can get us into the top half or maybe the play-offs!

Up the Cods!

Thanks to Ben for his answers. The Football Lab’s verdict on Fleetwood can be found on We Love Betting from late July.