Pilley: No targets but if Fleetwood go up we'll be ready

Uwe Rosler’s side are unbeaten in 17 league games and remain third after last night’s favourable results.

They are preparing for Saturday’s trip to Scunthorpe, who are still above them on goal difference only after last night’s 2-1 home defeat by Wimbledon, and Pilley will provide free coach travel for 50 Fleetwood High School students to encourage the next generation to join the Cod Army.

And the Town owner is delighted with how the season is going – a far cry from last term, when they just beat the drop to League Two on the final day.

The chairman told The Gazette: “I’m elated as to the way it has gone since November 12 (the last time Town lost in League One at Port Vale).

“I thought we were making quite good progress prior to that but the team is confident and well organised, and there is generally a real feel-good factor around the club.

“I think we are over-achieving in terms of what I expected. I think I certainly expected better than sixth- bottom, where we finished last season. There is no target, other than to continue winning games. And wherever that takes us, it takes us.

“If we end up in the play-offs, which we have a great chance of, then we will give it our absolute all to succeed and make it to the next division. If we make automatic promotion, then fantastic, even better. There are no targets that we must do this or that. We probably didn’t anticipate knocking on the door this season.

“We thought next season would be the season when we would have a go, but if we are a year ahead and are doing well, we’ll just continue to work hard as a club. That is very important. When Uwe won the manager of the month award for January, he was the first to say, ‘Look, this is a club award.’

“The 17-game unbeaten run reflects the performance of everyone around the club. Everyone has their roles and responsibilities, from the tea lady to the people who cook, to the people who organise the travel, the communication, the fitness guys, the physios... and the reason we are doing so well is because everybody is doing their job to a high standard.”

If Town are promoted, Pilley says the club will be ready for the challenges of the Championship.

He said: “We will give it our very best shot. I don’t think it would be too early. You have only to look around to see the wonderful facilities we have. The facilities here at Poolfoot Farm would not be out of place in the Premier League. We could and we would be ready ... no doubt.”