Fleetwood Town youngster hopes to provide a foundation for success

The Cod Army kept their only clean sheet of the season in last weekend’s draw with Lincoln City at Highbury, though Dion Charles’ goal on Tuesday was enough to seal victory for Accrington over Town.

Holgate, who turned 20 this month, has partnered new signing Charlie Mulgrew in the past two games, with Sam Stubbs suffering an injury.

The Town academy graduate from Leeds has already managed seven appearances this season, including four in the EFL, and Holgate is hoping to keep his place as new signings increase the competition at Highbury.

He said: “If we keep keeping clean sheets, then the lads up front are going to get us goals.

“If we keep that back door closed we’ll win a lot of games.

“We could have nicked victory late on against Lincoln, but on another day we’ll score four, like we did when we beat Hull the week before.

“It’s a big step up for me this season, but I’ve been around the first team for a while now and the lads have been great. They’ve given me loads of confidence in training.

“I’m just really taking into the game what I’ve been doing in training.

“I’ve just tried to settle down and take my confidence into the team.”

Holgate had made only one senior appearance in the EFL Trophy before this season and his progress has earned the praise of head coach Joey Barton.

Stubbs and Holgate had been learning fast together before the former hobbled off before half-time against the Imps.

“Me and Stubbsy are quite young so we bounce off each other,” reflected Holgate.

“But when Charlie came on I let him coach me through the game. I let his experience take over a little bit. He’s fine with Stubbsy as well, we’ve got that good partnership going as well.

“Having that experience just helps settle me down a little bit more.”