Manager pays tribute to award winner
Graham Alexander has paid testament to Antoni Sarcevic after the Fleetwood midfielder was awarded the September Sky Bet League 2 Player of the Month award today.
The 21-year-old summer signing from Chester helped Fleetwood to four consecutive wins in all competitions and scored three goals during last month including the sumptuous volley that kick started Fleetwood’s fight back in the 2-1 victory over Bury as well as another sweet strike from 20 yards against Torquay United.
Sarcevic beat off stiff competition to land the September award. Etienne Esajas, Alan Marriot and Abu Ogogo of Scunthorpe United, Mansfield Town and Dagenham & Redbridge respectively were all nominated for the award, but a three man judging panel opted for Sarcevic who has continued to make an impressive start to life on the Fylde Coast.
Alexander told Cod Army Player: “Sarc has had a fantastic start to the season. Since he came through the door, he has looked really positive and I think it (the award) is thoroughly deserved.
“I think he has been one of many good players for us from the start. He has been ably supported by the lads around him and that enables him to play the game he enjoys, which is the attacking side of the game, his application and his work rate in training and in games is testament to him getting this award.
“It shows in the games. You don’t turn it on on a Saturday and be a good player, you have to be a good player and do the right things week in week out and that’s what he’s doing and we are really chuffed for him.”
Meanwhile, Alexander also reserved praise for the rest of the squad for their efforts over the course of the month and in helping Sarcevic land the award.
“Goals always highlight a player, whether it’s a striker, or a midfielder or even a defender, it always highlights your performance.
“Even if you take those goals away from him, I think his performance levels have been great, even before he started scoring, we could see the goal threat; we could see how he was involved in many of the goals we were scoring anyway.
“It is just the icing on the cake that he’s found the goal trail and scored the goals that he has.
He added: “They have been of the highest quality that you will see at any level and even Sarc will even say that the players that he has got around him day in and day out and in the games have helped him to achieve this award.