Fleetwood desperate for a run in the side

Striker Stuart Fleetwood hopes that Tuesday night’s start in the 2-0 defeat at Braintree is the beginning of a renewed run in the first team, writes Mike Simmonds.
Stuart Fleetwood is one of six Town players who won't be offered new dealsStuart Fleetwood is one of six Town players who won't be offered new deals
Stuart Fleetwood is one of six Town players who won't be offered new deals

Fleetwood was back in the starting line-up for the first time since the 3-1 win over Woking on Boxing Day.

The forward, who netted 10 times by the end of October, has only just been overtaken as the club’s top goalscorer, and admitted it had been a tough time not being involved of late.

He said: “It’s horrible, no player likes sitting on the bench.

“Especially myself, with the goal ratio I’ve had with the starts in the league this year, it’s difficult to take.

“But I’m a senior pro, I’m 26, I’ve been in this position before, I know how to deal with it.

“I’ve kept myself fit and tried to keep running for 90 minutes, although maybe was lacking a bit of match sharpness.”

When asked if he was given any explanation to his absence by former boss Paul Buckle, Fleetwood continued: “No reasons, but we’ve got four great strikers at the club so I haven’t really got any complaints when the people in front of me are doing well.

“I try to get behind the lads as best as I can. I get frustrated at times like any other player when you sit out and see the team lose games.

“You feel you should be playing, but that’s part of football, I’m used to that.

“I won’t let if affect me and maybe I’ll get a few more starts under the new manager.”

Fleetwood had one of Town’s only efforts on target of the night, when his curler was easily saved by Nathan McDonald.

On the defeat, he said: “I’ve got bad memories of this place and it was a poor performance in front of the new gaffer (John Still). We’re all disappointed and frustrated, we have been for the last couple of weeks and need to turn it around quickly.

“I think the goals were sloppy, they were mistakes on our part again.

“I should have scored one when we were 2-0 down, but other than that I don’t think we created too many chances.”

Fleetwood is well aware the side are desperate for three points at Stockport County on Saturday as he added: “It’s exactly what we need.

“The gaffer will be working with us Thursday, Friday.

“We’re going down there to try and change the performance and pick up some points.”

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