Simon Wiles: Clean sheet a positive platform for Fleetwood ahead of Northampton test

Simon Wiles believes the return of Alex Cairns in goal helped Fleetwood to tighten up at the back

Chairman Andy Pilley calls on Fleetwood supporters to keep the faith

Having lost his first three games at the helm, Wiles believes the goalless draw at the DW on Saturday gives his side a solid platform to build on for tomorrow’s home clash with Northampton Town.

It was Fleetwood’s first shutout in six games and Wiles reflected: “I thought there was a lot of grit and determination, and it was a lot of the other side of the game which we showed.

“We’ve been speaking about being difficult to beat and we’ve built the foundations for Tuesday night against Northampton.

“We know we’ve got some players who can really go and hurt teams and can make things happen. But we’ve also got to keep focusing on being difficult to beat and that’s been the key message over the past week in training.”

Wiles believes Town’s defences were shored up by the debut of Ipswich Town loanee Janoi Donacien, signed the previous day, and the return of goalkeeper Alex Cairns for his first league game since early October.

Cairns had fallen out of favour with former head coach Joey Barton, then saw his return to action under Wiles delayed by a positive Covid test.

Wiles added: “Getting Alex back in goal and JD (Donacien) coming in at full-back gives us that little extra solidity, which delights me in terms of getting the point and the clean sheet.”

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