With the transfer window now shut, let's take a look at the business done by Fleetwood Town.
Since Joey Barton arrived at the club back in June, the club have brought in ten players, with young left-back Eddie Clarke signing on the dotted line prior to the head coach’s first day in charge.
Nine players have left the club, with Jack Sowerby – who recently signed a long-term contract at the club, and Joe Maguire moving out on loan on Deadline Day until January 2019. Nathan Pond and Chris Neal joined newly promoted National League side Salford City in the summer; with the two featuring against Town in the pre-season friendly at The Peninsula Stadium.
The latest player to join the Cod Army was James Husband, who signed on loan from Championship side Norwich City. The defender made his first Town start in the 5-0 victory away at Scunthorpe United, which wasn't a bad start to life at the Fylde Coast team.
Striker Ched Evans has been firing on all cylinders since his arrival and now has four goals to his name in the opening five matches of the 2018/19 season. The Welshman currently sits second in the top goal charts in Sky Bet League One, along with two assists to his name, with one being a pass to Ash Hunter when he let fire against Scunthorpe.
Fleetwood signed Jason Holt on a season-long loan from Glasgow Rangers and has made a huge impact on and off the field, and has become a fans favourite for his work rate in the middle of the park. The 25-year old scored his first goal for the Cod Army against Crewe in the Carabao Cup, and will be looking to add more goals throughout the season.
The club’s new captain Craig Morgan came to Fleetwood Town with bags of experience under his belt. He saw promotion with Rotherham United and Wigan Athletic before making the move to Highbury. His leadership qualities have shown in the opening five matches, and with three clean sheets, it is looking a good signing from Joey Barton.
Dean Marney was Town’s eighth signing of the summer after he signed a two-year contract. With his wealth of Premier League experience, he was a player and person the head coach knew could help booster options in the middle of the park. Marney – who began his career at Tottenham Hotspur, has played in every league game thus far, and doesn’t show any signs of stopping.
The loan deal for Lewie Coyle was one the fans at Highbury loved to see. The right-back was ever present last season and capped off a wonderful campaign by picking up two awards at the fans’ awards evening. This was all noted by the current boss, and has proved why he was wanted back. Coyle work ethic and adaptability are only two skills that come to mind, and he has shown he is more than capable of doing a job on the opposite side of the back four.
Town have also signed Tommy Spurr from Preston North End on loan until the end of the season. James Wallace, Eddie Clarke, Chris Long and Paul Jones all signed permanent contracts at the club, and have all featured in matches this season.
Ins – Lewie Coyle (loan), Eddie Clarke, Jason Holt (loan), Tommy Spurr (loan), Ched Evans (loan), Chris Long, Paul Jones, Craig Morgan, Dean Marney, James Husband, James Wallace.
Outs – Markus Schwabl, Victor Nirennold, Nathan Pond, Chris Neal, Joe Maguire (loan) Jack Sowerby (loan), Ashley Nadesan (loan), Toumani Diagouraga, George Glendon.