Fleetwood Town

The Cod Army go into the penultimate fixture of the Football League season just three points off the Sky Bet League 2 automatic promotion places ahead of the visit of The Shrimpers this weekend.

Phil Brown’s side, who only need a point to secure their place in the play-offs, are the only team standing in the way of Fleetwood setting up a potential dramatic end of season finale and Alexander has called for full focus as his side look to make it three straight wins.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Alexander said: “We find ourselves in a really positive position just outside where we want to be, but the lads have done great to narrow that down to three points. 

“We just have to focus on the game in front of us, and if we get maximum points, it gives us a bit of chance going into that last weekend. 

“We can’t think of that before Southend, so that’s what all the focus is on.

“Southend have got their own incentive for the game and we have got ours. They are pretty similar, but it’s two good teams that will be going at each other and we just need to do enough to get three points. 

“It will be as hard shift and the lads are going to have to put in the exact same work rate that they have done in the last few games and ally to the ability that we have got. 

“We need to make it hard for Southend and do everything we can to win the game.”

After picking up maximum points over the crucial Easter weekend, Town’s manager admitted that it was the best he had felt about his side since taking charge.

Fleetwood came from behind to beat Cheltenham Town 2-1 on Good Friday, before beating Wycombe Wanderers on Monday whilst playing the majority of the game with ten men, and after overcoming those challenges, Alexander wants his side to produce a performance of similar ilk on Saturday.

“That’s the best I have felt about my team after those two games, they were two really tough challenges in different ways. 

“To come back from 1-0 down when we hadn’t played well at all in the first 45 minutes, to turn that round completely and win the game was great. 

“The different challenge of going down to ten men after 12 minutes, not giving up any belief of winning the game and not just settling for the point, was brilliant to see. 

“They justifiably won the three points and on Monday I had a great feeling about the team. 

“We have got the six points, we have put them in the bag, now we have to go again on Saturday. 

“What we did last weekend is not going to justify just getting three points on Saturday, we have to go again and do all the good things we did to give ourselves the best chance of winning.”

Town’s manager has also reserved praise for Fleetwood faithful and believes victory on Saturday would be the best reward for their support over the course of the season.

“We have had our ups and downs. We have had some real negative games and results at Highbury, but come the next game, the supporters are back there with us and willing us on to another victory. 

“That’s what has enabled us as a group to overcome those set backs, the supporters help us do that, their support has helped us do that. 

“I’m sure they will follow us in their numbers to Chesterfield, but if this is to be our last game at home, we want to sign off on a positive and that’s with a win.”