Southern: Town can do a Burton and climb higher

Former Fleetwood midfielder Keith Southern sees no reason why Town cannot follow in Burton Albion's footsteps and climb up to the next tier for the first time in their history.
Keith Southern in action for FleetwoodKeith Southern in action for Fleetwood
Keith Southern in action for Fleetwood

Town pipped Albion to promotion to League One, beating the Brewers 1-0 at Wembley in the 2013-14 play-off final.

Burton followed Town up to the third tier 12 months later and went on to secure back-to-back promotions to reach the Championship.

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Town are on a 16-game unbeaten run, fourth in League One and two points off an automatic spot.

And Southern, who made three appearances in the club’s first season in League One and watched last weekend’s win over MK Dons as a radio pundit, believes the least Uwe Rosler’s side will get out of this season is a play-off spot.

The 35-year-old said: “Sixteen games unbeaten is an incredible achievement by Rosler and his squad of players. They deserve a hell of a lot of credit for that.

“They have got a real momentum at this moment in time. They are so organised, so dogged and determined.

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“I thought Cian Bolger was terrific (at stadium:mk), again at the Ricoh (where Town beat Coventry last month). He popped up with a winning goal and they have just got so much self-belief. The team spirit looks fantastic and I think the least they will get out of this season is a play-off place.

“With results going for them on Saturday and teams around them drawing, Uwe Rosler will have one eye on second place for sure.

“The way things are done at Fleetwood Town, everyone seems to be pulling in the right direction. That is half the battle at any club.

“If you have different factions signing players and not singing from the same hymn sheet, you are going to struggle to get any momentum and any success.

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“I think everyone knows their job off the pitch, and everyone knows their job on the pitch from what we have seen of late!

“I’d liken Fleetwood to a club like Burton – not the biggest of clubs, not the biggest of fan bases. Both were playing in League Two not so long ago but Burton have taken the plunge into the Championship. Why can’t Fleetwood be next season’s Burton Albion?”