Goalkeeper reacts after full league debut
Alex Cairns praised the effort of his team as Fleetwood Town made it two home wins in five days after a 2-1 win over Chesterfield at Highbury on Saturday.
Amari’i Bell and Victor Nirennold gave Town a two-goal lead, before Jay O’Shea beat Cairns’ with a second half penalty, before the Cod Army stopper made some vital saves to ensure three points.
“To get the win today and on Tuesday in the FA Cup was great,” said Cairns, who was with Chesterfield last season.
“The back four worked well with me and to be fair all the lads defended well today. The lads dig in every single week.
“The penalty is the penalty and there’s nothing you can really do but in terms of stopping chances the lads did that and I’ve got to thank them and hopefully they thank me.”
The stopper retained his place in the starting eleven after impressing in Tuesday’s Emirates FA Cup victory over Southport and stressed the spirit in the camp is driving Town forward.
“Me and Chris Neal have got a great relationship on and off the field as have all the other boys.
“If they’re not playing one week they accept it, they understand why and they work hard to get back into the team.”
The 23 year old played in-front of a back five and a back four at times during Saturday’s game but he didn’t think his role changed dependant on the system being used.
“We’re used to both systems, we work hard on the training ground to get every system the gaffer wants right and hopefully we can push on and do well.”
“When you concede the penalty you’re thinking right let’s stand up and be counted, every lad dig in and work hard to get the three points.”