Former Chelsea ace one of Barry’s rising stars

Barry Nicholson insists former Chelsea youngster Adam Nditi is just one of the hot prospects in Fleetwood Town’s development squad.
Adam NditiAdam Nditi
Adam Nditi

The former Blues hopeful has recently put pen to paper on a one-year deal at Highbury and is one of a number of youngsters looking to follow Nick Haughton into the first-team squad.

Nicholson said: “We worked hard to get Adam in. He impressed in a couple of friendlies but had agreed to go on trial to Holland after that.

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“We let him go, nothing happened in Holland and he gave us a call wanting to come back in.

Adam NditiAdam Nditi
Adam Nditi

“He trained again and we managed to get him signed for a year.

“He’s a really good prospect but still has a lot to learn, even though he’s been at Chelsea.

“We’re just trying to get more good stuff into him and add to what he’s got.”

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The Tanzania-born 20-year-old featured for Fleetwood’s reserves in last week’s 3-1 Final Third Development Cup victory over Tranmere Rovers.

It gave Town fans a first chance to see the left-back in action.

Nicholson insists the youngster’s game strongly reflects another Stamford Bridge old boy.

He said: “He obviously moulds his game on Ashley Cole. He’s been there when Ashley was at the club.

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“Adam can always play up one, on the left hand side of the diamond, so he’s a little more versatile.

“We know we’ve got a prospect and one that brings quality to the group.”

Town’s development squad was only set up in the summer but is already yielding results, with midfielder Haughton having already made two first-team appearances.

That’s exactly what the group was established to do, according to Nicholson.

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He said: “We sat them down in the summer and said to them, ‘This is the chance for you. If you shine in this development group, the manager is going to have a look.’

“He’s been at every single game, so the lads can’t say he’s not watching them.

“Nick’s taken everything on board that we’ve told him and the manager has decided to put him in.

“He’s given the team a big spark when he’s come on.”

And Haughton’s League One appearances send a message to the rest of the squad, as Nicholson was quick to point out.

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He said: “The manager’s not afraid to put them in if they put the work in.

“They’ve seen Nick have a little taste, so I’m hoping the rest of the lads are going to try to push themselves on as well.”

Nicholson’s players have enjoyed three wins on the bounce – reserve team cup victories over Morecambe and Tranmere and a development squad triumph over Bolton Wanderers.

Nicholson insists winning is not the most important thing but says it’s a good habit to get into.

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He said: “Winning is not the be all and end all at this level ,but it helps to have a team that knows what it feels like and gets used to it.

“In the cup wins against Morecambe and Tranmere, they had a bit of a lift from senior lads.

“They’ve been a great part and ushered the lads through the game.

“But they’ve done their chances no harm at all.”

Fleetwood Town are offering fans the chance to meet manager Graham Alexander and his backroom staff.

The event is in the Parkside Suite and doors open at around 7pm

Watch Rob Stocks give his views on Fleetwood Town’s away form

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