Fleetwood Town defender Harry Souttar helped his side make it five wins from five after beating promotion hopefuls Portsmouth 1-0 at Highbury.
Callum Connolly scored the only goal of the game after 12 minutes, nodding in a chance after Danny Andrew’s cross was parried by the keeper from six yards out.
Fleetwood then saw the game out for the following 78 minutes, with a fantastic defensive display from everyone, with Souttar winning everything that came his way.
Souttar, the Australian international, spoke to the media after the game and here are his best quotes.
On the game…
“Well I don’t think it was probably one for the neutrals, and obviously the weather conditions again were a massive part out there, in the game but I think we manage the conditions well – I don’t think it played into each other’s hands.
“We managed to get the goal in the first half, it was good play from Barrie [McKay] down the left side and it was lucky that it was parried out and fell to our man, who managed to nod it in.
"Obviously after half-time they came out and had about a twenty, twenty-five-minute spell where we couldn’t really get out. We had to change formation to suit them as they switched the right side – I think Ross McCrorie and Ryan Williams came on and they were kind of getting joy, so we switched to a back four to match them.
“It was just kind of a battle towards the end. Fair play to the back lads again because it’s another clean sheet and we’ve talked about how we need more clean sheets if we are going to push up the table.”
On his new partnership with Lewis Gibson…
“19 years old and he’s come in for five games and it’s five wins for him. He’s been absolutely brilliant, and I think he gives us a little bit of balance as well. He’s a left-footed centre half, so we can play through him as well.
“At the start of the season, we were all right footed and it was kind of unbalanced. So, it’s a good signing, along with all of the January additions. Glenn Whelan coming in and giving that experience, Callum Connolly as well – I think the additions have been good and it’s been proven by the results.”
On the dressing room atmosphere…
“We can’t get carried away with it, we’re only in sixth place – you know it’s the first time we’re in the play-offs this season, so it’s just another three points. We’ve got to go again Tuesday, another tough fixture at Sunderland and again as I said it’s only three points on offer and another three on Tuesday.
“We go there [Sunderland], confidence is high – our home form is good and our away form, recently has turned a corner, that’s what we’ve been looking to improve.”