Ash's attitude impresses Fleetwood development team boss in win at Oldham

Hunter teed-up Michael Donohue for the first goal in the development squad’s 2-0 win at Oldham yesterday.

Fellow first-team striker Wes Burns also got an assist, setting up the second for Jack Sowerby just after the half hour. And Murray says he will be speaking highly of Hunter to head coach Uwe Rosler, who witnessed the Oldham game.

Murray said: “Ash’s work ethic was good and when you come out of the team that is what you need to show.

“We know what qualities he has got and we saw some of that on Wednesday.

“For some players dropping down, that work ethic might not be there but I can’t fault his.

“That is the main thing for me – that I can feed back to the gaffer that he was committed and made a big effort.

“I’m pleased with the lads who have dropped down from the first-team squad. They showed good enthusiasm and a good work ethic, and that is what this team is about as well as quality.”

Hunter’s (right) fall from favour saw development squad striker Ashley Nadesan take his place on the bench after a brace in their 4-1 win over Morecambe last week.

Murray says Nadesan needs to take that chance if it comes again, with Rosler now having plenty of options for Saturday’s home game against Wimbledon.

Murray said: “It is nice that some of our squad get involved in the first team. Nadesan didn’t play last Saturday. He was sitting on the bench waiting for that electronic board to put his number up.

“Hopefully it will happen but it is down to him. He is training with the first team, so he has to be good in training. In football, you might get 10 minutes to shine but that is all he might get.

“In those minutes he plays, he has to do something to stay in the manager’s mind.”

Despite the win, Murray could not hide a tinge of disappointment about a second half in which keeper Billy Crellin had to make some good saves.

He said: “The first 15 was a little bit off for us but the rest of the first half was decent. We were pressing better, moving the ball better and we got ourselves in front.

“It is all right keeping the ball but there has to be a purpose to it, so I was a bit disappointed in the second half but I can’t fault the effort. We were just lacking a bit in quality in that second half.

“I’m pleased but running up to the game against Liverpool (in the Moolson Cup final in Leyland on September 1) we need to be bang on it.

“We were 2-0 up, we didn’t concede and we can see out a tough spell of pressure, which is good for us. It is about getting that mentality and it’s another win.”

Fleetwood: Crellin, Rodgers, Sheron, Baines, Nirennold, Biggins, Sowerby, Higham, Hunter, Burns, Donohue (Garner 71).