Fleetwood Town Season Preview: another chapter?

Nathan Pond’s first season at Fleetwood Town saw the club narrowly miss out on promotion. The top two that year? Mossley and Clitheroe of the ninth tier. 13 years later, his most recent campaign went similarly, only this time the Cod Army lost out to the likes of Bolton and Bradford. Can this remarkable upward journey continue? The Football Lab spoke to supporter Ben Knapman (@Benknappy) to find out.

16/17 saw Fleetwood Town enjoy their most successful season in the club’s history – and it feels like we say that almost every year. Does that exemplify the progress being made?

Yes, every season Andy Pilley backs the club so well and with poolfoot and recruiting Uwe Rosler as manager was huge.

You made the top six last term by playing some of the best, free-flowing football in the division. Are you impressed by the quality of your goals, as well as the volume of them?

I don’t care how we score its the goal that matters. We fought till the end of games and the fight was unreal and the character to come back was unreal too.

The lack of urgency you showed against Bradford was surprising for a play-off semi-final, especially when you needed a goal. Is there a need to change your passing style at certain times?

No, I think the players were just tired and it was a game too much were as Bradford had more experience of playing in the playoffs. Hopefully we can go again!

Manager Uwe Rosler has signed a new contract with the club. You must be delighted?

I am! Every time a job was going at the likes of Norwich, Hull, Preston and Blackburn we all thought he was off! It’s massive him and Rob Kelly were huge last season and with the backing of our fab chairman I feel we can get a top 10 maybe top 6 finish once more.

Kyle Dempsey was named Young Player of the Year for 16/17. Are you pleased to have signed him on a permanent three-year contract this summer?

Yes. He might not have got the most goals or assists but he went so unnoticed in League One last season making chances winning the ball back, a bit like N’Golo Kante for Leicester. He wasn’t noticed out of our team but he was my Player of Season last year. The fact we’ve got him permanent shows this club is on the up.

Full-backs Conor McLaughlin and Amari’i Bell stretched the pitch last season. Are you disappointed that contract offer for the former has been withdrawn?

Amari was a bit hit and miss in his first season, but since Uwe went to 5-3-2 and put him left wing back he was brilliant scoring three goals vs Charlton, Chesterfield and Southport. Conor was good and consistent however, I feel like it was time to move on – we always seemed to manage without him on international duty.

You’ve also withdrawn your offer for David Ball, who has left for Rotherham. How big a loss will this be?

He was another hit and miss. He scores but isn’t a 15-20 goal a season striker and loves scoring wonder goals instead of just putting his laces though the ball.

Ashley Hunter was key to a lot of your attacking player last year. Are you excited to see him link up with new signing Conor McAleny?

Ash was really good up until mid-January, then he went 19 games without a goal but with Conor, I feel like it will be a good partnership. We also have Jordi Hiwula!

Ashley Eastham put in some composed performance after signing from Rochdale. Do you expect Cian Bolger and the long-serving Nathan Pond to partner him at centre-back?

I really hope so. Cian was magnificent last season, he only came into the team in November and Scoring 6 goals To win us matches against MK and Coventry! And Nathan pond is always reliable but getting injured a lot in the last few seasons but we have competition in Harvey Rodgers.

Chris Maxwell left for Preston last summer. Which goalkeeper replaced him better: Chris Neal or Alex Cairns?

Alex Cairns. He kept a lot of clean sheets and was a stand-out player last season.

The bookies have Fleetwood as big as 9/4 to make the top six again – where will you finish?

I think top 10 would be really good this season. 9th in my opinion!

The Football Lab’s Verdict

Losing McLaughlin and Ball isn’t ideal, but Fleetwood have avoided an exodus of key players. Their technical football creates chances, many of which new boy McAleny should finish. With Rosler staying, the Cod Army won’t stray too far from the promotion mix. 7th