After a 19th place finish last season, Steven Pressley left his post as Fleetwood Town manager as recently as 26th July. The club acted quickly to replace the Scotsman with Uwe Rosler, who must now address last season’s lack of firepower. The Football Lab spoke to Ben Reardon (@Ben_Reardon95) about the situation at Highbury.
Steven Pressley has quit as manager just a few weeks before the season. What were your thoughts on this?
Pressley’s surprise departure last Tuesday really came out of the blue, from the outside looking in, there seemed to be no outstanding issues concerning him at the club. Obviously, the swift appointment of Uwe Rosler as Pressley’s replacement provides a sense of excitement, heading into the new season, as the club look to go in a different direction for the long-term.
You seemed to have a lot of games last season in which you played well and created chances, but could not find the end product. Did results belie performances?
Chances were not hard to come by last season, but applying those efforts into subsequent goals were issues for concern. Up until the loan signing of Wesley Burns, Town didn’t really have an out-and-out goal-scorer in their ranks, so I’d agree that results really did belie certain performances.
If finishing was the problem, are you surprised the club have let go of Jamille Matt? He scored seven goals in 14 games on loan at Plymouth last season…
Not overly, Matt was out of contract at Fleetwood, and had previous injuries in seasons gone by. Having spent time out on loan at Plymouth, his future was seemingly elsewhere before his departure was announced, now at Blackpool, I’m sure he’ll kick-on at Bloomfield Road.
Fleetwood Town have good facilities for League One level. Is this something that can attract players?
The facilities at the new Poolfoot Farm facilities in Thornton are state of the art, way above the standard of some other League One, and even Championship clubs. Hopefully, in the future, the training ground can attract players of a higher calibre, as the Cod Army continue to grow, both on and off the pitch.
I’d imagine that it will be an incentive to join a progressive club, after all, it attracted new Head Coach Rosler.
Chris Neal was let go of by Port Vale, albeit controversially, while Alex Cairns and Matt Urwin provide competition. Should the club have invested in one ‘next level’ goalkeeper capable of replacing Chris Maxwell, rather than three who might do ok?
Maxwell was always destined to get Championship football eventually, though the signing of the experienced stopper in Neal, who knows the league, and former Leeds stopper Cairns, shows that Fleetwood are moulding a side who are experienced in the league. Matty Urwin, the former Fylde keeper, provides positive competition, he will be playing regular games in the Development Squad, so in my opinion, finding a next level type of goalkeeper is tough in this division, so the club can be pleased with the signings of one with third-tier knowledge, and two youngsters.
Nathan Pond will play a 14th season at Fleetwood after signing a new one-year contract. Is it important to have a player that knows the club?
Absolutely! Nathan Pond is Mr Fleetwood Town, he’s played a monumental part in Fleetwood’s rise up from non-league to League One, and recently broke the club’s appearance record, after turning out 423 times for the Highbury side.
In an age of disloyalty in the professional game, seeing a player like Pondy, staying at a club for over a decade, and remaining a central figure in the side, is testament to his character, both on and off the pitch. Having a player like him that knows Fleetwood inside out can only be a positive for the younger players at the club.
Forward Aaron Amadi-Holloway has only scored 10 goals in his career, but fans of Wycombe and Oldham are complimentary of his ability. How do you think he will fare?
The industrious forward, Amadi-Holloway, can bring a strong presence to the attacking options, I think he’ll be a solid acquisition to Rosler’s side, adding something that Town have perhaps lacked in recent years.
What are your thoughts ahead of the League One season as a whole? Any potential dark horses for you?
League One is likely to be as tight as ever, relegated sides Charlton Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and MK Dons will aim for a Championship return immediately.
Millwall, Bradford City and Sheffield United could as well be in and around the play-offs, while Scunthorpe United could earn the dark horses tag!
Where will you finish?
Fleetwood are heading into the unknown this year with the exciting appointment of Rosler, who is aiming high. Anything could and probably will happen, so for his first season, a top half finish is achievable, but I see Fleetwood finishing in mid-table safety. Prediction: 14th
The Football Lab’s Verdict
Fleetwood Town have kept Jimmy Ryan and should have the creativity required to stay up, though they need to be more clinical. 19th