Midfielder's thoughts after second win in seven days
Stewart Murdoch believes Fleetwood Town’s early goals were key as they stretched their unbeaten run to five games with a 3-1 win over Portsmouth at Highbury Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Jon Parkin opened the scoring as early as the 15th minute before Antoni Sarcevic doubled Town’s lead over the former FA Cup winners 10 minutes later from the penalty spot.
Striker Jamille Matt added a third early on in the second half as well to give Fleetwood a commanding lead and Murdoch, restored to the side in place of Alan Goodall, believes Town will not be to far away from what they want to achieve if they continue to play in the same manner.
Speaking to the club’s official website after the game, the 23-year-old Scottish midfielder said: “The three points was the main thing, I think when it gets to this stage of the season we don’t really analyse performances too much.
“We’re on a bit of a role at the moment, but I think the boys are just delighted that we got the three points so if we can continue playing like that and winning games, we won’t do to bad.
“To get goals early in the game is good. I think this season, when we have been ahead in games; we have showed we are capable of then going on and winning.
“When we go behind, it has been different, but we are really happy to take the three points and when you get the goal early it really helps.
“There was no pressure on them and they started chucking bodies forward, but I thought we soaked that up quite well.
“They were going to get a couple of chances because they have thrown so many forward, but we have brought Goody (Alan Goodall) on to make it a bit stronger at the back and we have held on to take the three points.”
Town’s victory extended their unbeaten run to five games since they lost 4-0 at home to Plymouth Argyle at the end of February and Murdoch has revealed that everyone has responded in the ‘best way possible’ since that heavy defeat.
“We came in and we said we couldn’t let that happen again, we rolled our sleeves up and got a few clean sheets in a row and now we are starting to win.
“Building on those three draws we got in a row, it’s important that you start winning games in this league.
“That’s what’s going to take you up the league and hopefully get us promotion. It’s disappointing when you lose a game 4-0, but we have responded in the best way possible and hopefully we can continue the way we are.”
After completing 90 minutes, Murdoch admits he was delighted to be restored to the starting line-up and is hoping that his performance against Pompey will keep him in the manager’s mind when they travel to Exeter City next week.
“I’m disappointed when I miss out, so I just continue to work away in training, and when I get my chance again, I just try to show what I can do. I’m happy with how I have done so hopefully I can keep playing like that.”