Danny Andrew: I'm under pressure and will never be complacent at Fleetwood Town

An ever-present in the league so far this season, Andrew has played a very important part in Joey Barton’s side since his arrival from Doncaster Rovers in summer 2019.

The 29-year-old played at Swindon Town and Portsmouth and is set to make it three games in eight days when Wigan Athletic visit Highbury this afternoon.

A win could make a difference for the 10th-placed Cod Army in a tight table as only four points separate Doncaster in sixth spot and Blackpool in 12th.

Andrew’s position in the side may look secure but there is no fear of complacency, with pressure to perform and not to let the side down.

He said: “There is pressure because you can fall into the mindset of, ‘I’m going to play every week’. But you mustn’t fall into that mindset because as soon as you do you come off your game.

“You’ll start getting sloppy in training, then it will bleed into a game and you kill your teammates.

“You can’t win a game of football on your own. You need everyone at it. It’s irrelevant who is pushing behind you – you should have the pride of being a professional footballer, wanting to improve and be at your best every single day and every single game.”

Andrew has had some new teammates to familiarise himself with in the Town defence this season but he is used to that.

Team boss Joey Barton was making moves to bring in reinforcements at the back right up to the final day of the transfer window, though a settled back-line has contributed to Town’s recent form, according to the left-back.

Andrew said: “There have been a lot of games very quickly but you sort of get on with it.

“You try to recover as best you can and move on to the next one.

“I’m probably the only recognised left-back in the team. We probably don’t have another out-and-out left-back, which will probably help me to play every game.

“I just try to recover after every game and be fit and ready to go for the next one.

“It’s been clear to see that the back lads were chopping and changing at the start of the season but we seem to have found a four that is working at the minute.

“It’s very similar at the start of every season – the manager is trying to find his best team and which players fit where. You might see something and tweak their position slightly. It’s all about finding out where the lads need to be.

“I feel like we’re getting there and until the last kick of the last game we’ll always be looking to improve. All of the lads need to stay on it, stay focused and keep going.”

The focus is now on the visit of the Latics and Andrew is keen for Town to bring that steeliness which has earned them successive clean sheets on their travels back to the Fylde coast.

He said: “We’ve had two long away trips against two different sides and we’ve had clean sheets in both games. It gives us lots of confidence going into the Wigan game.

“They were both different performances. We have conceded a few from set-pieces but we’ve nailed them down now.

“That can only be good for us because if you can keep a clean sheet you’ll get a minimum of one point from every game. We’ve had two good clean sheets away from home and we need to bring that back home now, starting tomorrow, and hopefully we pick up three points.

“If you look at the table we’re probably expected to win the game but everyone knows you can win or lose against anyone.

“We’ve just got to make sure we’re focused and ready to play against whatever is in front of us.”