Head Coach Stephen Crainey spoke to the press after his side clawed their way back into their clash against AFC Wimbledon to secure a point at Highbury on Saturday.
It was a tough afternoon for Fleetwood Town as they went behind midway through the first half after Luke McCormick picked out the top corner, but it was meant to be a crazy end as Joe Garner slotted the ball home in the 90th minute to ensure both sides would pick up a point on the afternoon.
Here’s what Stephen had to say in his interview:
On how the game went...
“It’s tense times, especially with where we are in the table, but I’m just happy with the commitment shown by the lads, even after going one down in the first half - the way they came back was really pleasing. We wanted the three points, but we will take the one and move on to Tuesday.
“We struggled to create opportunities at times; I think the occasion got to the group a little bit today, especially in the first half, but I spoke to them and said just play your normal game. In the second half, they were outstanding, and they gave me everything.
“Joe Garner showed some composure, I thought he was going to put his laces through it, but he’s obviously stayed calm, using the experience he’s got and has passed it into the side of the net. After that, I thought we could have gone on to win the game in the end.”
On the experience in the group…
“He was calm and composed, that’s the experience Joe [Garner]’s got. I feel sorry for Joe as he’s not been able to get up to speed with niggles right throughout the campaign so it’s nice to see him back on the pitch and even get a goal. That will do his confidence the world of good.
“It’s good having experienced lads who have racked up hundreds of games and have been in this situation before, they can help and calm down the other lads in the group. Their experience is going to be invaluable over the next two games and hopefully, we can get something in both.”
On the fans at Highbury…
“I thought the fans were outstanding today, the way they came out in their droves and supported the group was amazing, so fair play to the town. If we can get another crowd like that on Tuesday, it will spur us on. I genuinely believe that it was the fans who got us to that point today.
“Their energy in the stands rubbed off on the team so if they can come out in their numbers again for the Sheffield game on Tuesday, I’m hopeful that we can win the game.”
On the run-in…
“The way the results have gone, we will take the point and move on to Tuesday. The remit is to stay above the line, regardless of how we do it, and I’m not too bothered how we stay above it, whether it’s on points or goal difference. We’ve got two games left, six points to play for, and it’s still in our own hands.
“We will go into the Sheffield Wednesday game with confidence now having gotten the late equaliser. There’s a buoyant mood in the camp so we need to maintain that and show it in the game on Tuesday.
“We need to make this game against Sheffield count. They are going for the playoffs and need to win the game as well so it’s going to be another battle and it’s one, we are going to be ready for. We are going to rest and recover and will need our energy tanks full again – we are looking forward to it.”