League One Manager of the Season: Fleetwood Town’s Uwe Rosler

Uwe Rosler

For the League One manager of the season, there is a good case to be made for all four of last season’s League Two promotion winners. Chris Wilder, who guided the Cobblers to success, is set to lift his second title in 12 months with boyhood club Sheffield United.

Michael Appleton, Neal Ardley and Darrell Clarke have built the best teams at their respective clubs in years while Phil Parkinson will take Bolton Wanderers up at the first time of asking.

The story of the season however, is Fleetwood Town. Having finished 19th last term, manager Steven Pressley left his post less than two weeks before the start of the season. Manager Uwe Rosler arrived with little time to assess his squad and plan transfer activity. Many of his signings since joining have been fringe players, with only three starting more than four games. Perhaps he recognized that last season, while results were not great, the team showed promise by creating chances, therefore sweeping changes were not necessary.

This year, they are playing with a little more confidence and awareness in the final third. After a steady if unspectacular start, the Cod Army truly hit form in November, when they went on an unbeaten run of 18 games.

With full-backs Conor McLaughlin and Amari’i Bell stretching the pitch, Kyle Dempsey running the show in midfield and Ashley Hunter providing final third flair, the Cod Army are an exciting team to watch.

With progressive build-up play, adventurous pressing a strong sense of togetherness cultivated by a German head coach, Fleetwood represent the League One equivalent of Huddersfield Town. Exciting times lie ahead for Rosler and the club.