Paul Coutts aims to turn a fine achievement into an "unbelievable" one for Fleetwood Town

Paul Coutts says Fleetwood Town will do everything possible to pursue the “unbelievable achievement” of promotion to the Championship, despite preparing in difficult circumstances.
Paul Coutts says that playing nine more league games after a three-month break would not have been easyPaul Coutts says that playing nine more league games after a three-month break would not have been easy
Paul Coutts says that playing nine more league games after a three-month break would not have been easy
Read More
Joey Barton wants to finish job with 'no fear' mindset

Town are completing their second week back in training, with the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final against Wycombe Wanderers still a fortnight away.

Training continues to be governed by strict guidelines amid the pandemic, though Town were able to train in small groups this week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But midfielder Coutts is determined to overcome all adversity to help Town achieve their promotion goal at Wembley on July 13.

The 31-year-old told The Gazette recently: “It’s a huge opportunity for a lot of the lads to get into the Championship and you never know where that can take you.

“To be a part of successful teams is great for everyone involved and it would be an unbelievable achievement for the club.

“Having two or three games to try to get promoted, it’s worth doing the hard yards on and off the pitch and having a real go at it.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Town were just two points outside the automatic promotion places with nine games remaining when play was halted but Coutts added: “The top two probably deserve it. Coventry do – they’ve got a game in hand and are comfortably at the top of the division. They have done well.

Rotherham have probably been a little bit fortunate, sneaking in there just before the break-up. There were a lot of teams chasing them down, including ourselves.”

But speaking to the Evening Express in Aberdeen this week, the Scot said he would settle for the play-offs after Town finished sixth on points-per-game.

“With it being so tight and having been off for three months, we’d have taken the play-offs,” he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The way it panned out you didn’t really want to play nine games after three months off and risk losing the play-off spot.

“We’ve had the break and we’re pretty pleased we’ve got three games in front of us to try to get promotion.

“It’s a good achievement already to reach the play-offs for a club of Fleetwood’s size, especially when you see Sunderland and Ipswich further down and preparing for another season in League One.”

As for the training so far, he added: “It’s just small groups but there’s no five-a-sides or anything like that.

“The play-offs have been announced for July 3 and 6, so it’s reasonably soon, particularly when we’re not allowed to do any contact training or 11 v 11 games. It is difficult.”