Fleetwood Town came away with all three points on Saturday afternoon after a 1-0 win over Lee Bowyer’s Charlton Athletic.
Ched Evans scored his 13th of the season after lovely build up play by Ash Hunter – who was a second half substitute, he managed to pick out Paddy Madden who cushioned his header down to the Welshman to finish off the move.
Town stood firm throughout the match to keep their third clean sheet of 2019 against the Addicks, who looked to push on in the play-off places.
On the game and the performance…
“We knew Charlton were a good side and you don’t sit fifth in the league table if you don’t deserve it but I thought we were excellent, we looked a side that – especially in the second period of the match, looked to win and for that I am pleased for the lads.
“There were some great performances from the players today, and I for one am really happen to see the end of the Transfer Window. What we need to do now is back this result up next weekend, and the key word is consistency and the performances in recent weeks have been outstanding.
“We limited Charlton to chances and with the players that we have on the offensive side of things, we are always capable of scoring goals, and are today probably a tad unfortunate to not have a couple more. I am really pleased!”
On Ched Evans’ Man of the Match performance…
“I had absolute no doubt about the way Ched would deal with the situation as I know what he is like as a lad. There are certain characters that you would worry about, but we never thought that was.
“A huge credit to not only Ched for his performance, but also to the Chairman Andy Pilley and Steve Curwood. I am new to the Transfer Deadline Day and it wasn’t easy for us as a football club. There were things going on and when you have two players with the experience that they have, it allowed us to make some really great decisions and to keep hold out of Ched.
“You saw today what a massive player he is for us. I understand a player wanting to go and play in the Championship because as a player you need to be ambitious, at and Fleetwood Town we should be looking to collect ambitious players. It was important that after the window closed, we were able to focus and turn in a performance that we did today.”
On Harry Souttar’s debut for the club…
“I thought he was outstanding! His partner alongside him Ash Eastham flipped over to the right side of the defense and captained the side with Craig Morgan out. I thought the back four, with Cairnsy [Alex Cairns] behind and James Wallace in front of them, and the defensive unit were exceptional.
“Charlton are a good side with plenty of attacking options, but for us a key moment when the are launching bodies forward into the box and sending in their long throws late in the game, never for a moment did I think they were getting in.”
On winning the second half…
“We were aware of the ‘league table’ where we were first, and Charlton were second in the first half of matches and we laughed before the match saying whoever is winning at half-time, could be the victors.
“We came out in the second half – and I don’t want to start making excuses but when you look at the week and the weather we’ve had and everything that has gone on, it has disrupted our week, and probably Charlton too.
“I felt we had more gears to go through but we dusted down at the break and we were miles better in the second-half. Much the better side and as I said, if we had more composure, we could have scored more. If we can back this win up, who knows what the next three months hold.”