Defender Harry Souttar is delighted after his first two starts for Fleetwood Town saw wins over Charlton Athletic, and Bradford City.
Souttar has started the last two games for Joey Barton’s side with Club Captain Craig Morgan missing out due to injury, which has seen the young centre half keep two clean sheets in two.
The 20-year-old has slotted alongside Ashley Eastham in the last two weeks, and has been a huge figure in the Cod Army’s recent run of form, with them now sitting just eight points off the play-off places.
“I didn’t expect to come straight into the side. I came in with Craig [Morgan] and Ash in the side and I knew I had to fight for a place, and make sure there was competition for places,” said Souttar.
“Ash has been brilliant for me to be fair. He is a leader not just on the pitch, but also off the pitch and he’s really helped me settle in. He is a good communicator and for another centre half, you want all that talking. We both complement each other well and for me, the more I play alongside Ash, it will only benefit me and my career.
“I didn’t think at the start I’d be straight in but I those two clean sheets haven’t done me any harm. If we can keep those going, it will be a positive end to the season.
“Personally I always wanted to get out on loan and when I arrived, the gaffer said to me that he wants me to do my job, defend first and foremost and then for me to show why he has brought me into the team.
“It couldn’t have gone any better with two clean sheets out of two matches, and also two wins. Obviously it is a team performance, and everybody has dug in from the back four to the boys up top, and to those in midfield and we must take credit for our two performances in the last two matches.”
Saturday will see the league leaders Luton Town visit Highbury Stadium, and it is a game that Souttar knows will be tough, but one he believes his side are more than capable of getting all three points.
“Luton are top of the league table for a reason. They play good football and know how to win football matches. We know it will be a tough game but we are also on a good run so we go into the game full of confidence.
“In this league, anybody can beat anyone and if we play the way we know we can play, and also work on a few things in training, we are confident we can get the three points.
“Anything is possible and I know teams in and around us will be thinking the same thing. If we can put a run together – which we have started with the last two wins – then at this stage of the season, teams will be looking behind them at us and it’s up to us to look forward.
“If we can make it three wins on the bounce on Saturday, it will put us in a really good spot and grow better and better as they games come.”
Tickets are available for the match against Luton at Highbury and Poolfoot Farm. They can also be purchased online at the FTFC Store. For more details, please call us on (01253) 775080