Paddy Madden says he is over the moon after marking his Fleetwood Town debut with a goal and assist, as they ran out 2-1 winners at Southend United on Saturday.
Conditions were difficult at Roots Hall, but Town were able to play some nice attacking football, with Madden setting up fellow debutant Toumani Diagouraga for the opening goal, before nabbing a goal for himself just minutes later.
“It was nice to set up a goal as well as score. I’m over the moon,” said Madden.
“The lads put a great shift in in the first half to keep us in the game and second half we managed to get two goals and see the game out.
“The gaffer is all about the counter attack. He doesn’t panic and he’s a clever man – it was obviously the game plan to hit them on the counter attack.
“We have a lot of young lads and fit lads that can cause problems on the counter attack and we’ve done that.”
Madden’s goal came after an excellent flick on by Kyle Dempsey, before the Irishman held off defender Anton Ferdinand to fire past Mark Oxley. The striker believes the goal will only help him improve as Fleetwood head towards another busy week in league and cup.
“I remember taking the touch in the box and hitting it past the keeper, and then the failed knee slide later!” added Madden.
“I’d like to class myself as an all round striker and can do a few different roles when I’m needed and today is going to do my confidence the world of good.”
The victory could have been more impressive had Michael Kightly’s deflected effort looped over Chris Neal in the 85th minute. It was merely a consolation for the Essex side, but it did leave all those of a red persuasion on tenterhooks as Southend battled for an equaliser.
“It was nervous last five minutes but you’re going to get that in League One,” stated Madden.
“But the lads showed great character to see the game out, and that’s what we need – to have leaders on the pitch to grind out the results.
“We had a whole squad of leaders on that pitch today. It was three great points.
“If you hit a nice run of games in this league, you can find yourself up the league very quickly, in and around the play-off spots.
“We’ll take each game as it comes but the lads are full of confidence and we’ll take that into the Leicester and Blackburn games.”
Finally, Madden applauded the 45 Fleetwood fans who travelled to Roots Hall, and despite their low numbers, made all the noise to help Rosler’s side to victory.
“Fair play to the fans. It was a long journey for them and all the lads thank them very much for that and they played just a vital part as we did."