Fleetwood hopes for an extended stay

8:30am Tuesday 30th December 2008

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Stuart Fleetwood is waiting for the call from the manager’s office which will decide his immediate future.

In the meantime, the on-loan striker is happy he has given Micky Adams real food for thought with his contribution to the Seagulls’ first win in eight League One games.

Fleetwood created a goal and won a penalty which was converted as Nicky Forster’s double saw off Swindon 2-0.

He did so after, surprisingly for many, being named in the starting line-up while Glenn Murray waited for his chance on the bench.

While Forster and Fleetwood earned high marks for the way their pace troubled the Swindon back line, Murray also looked hungry when he came off the bench.

So what now for Fleetwood, who is still somewhat short of goals for Albion but has often made things happen over the past eight weeks and could find himself heading back to The Valley after the Seagulls have hosted Northampton on Saturday?

The fact Charlton are still under the caretaker management of Phil Parkinson just adds to the intrigue though the Addicks have no shortage of strikers.

Fleetwood’s loan from The Valley expires after the trip to Walsall a week on Saturday.

He admitted: “I’ve got to speak to Charlton with what’s happening there with the manager situation.

“The gaffer here hasn’t said anything to me yet but maybe that performance has done me some good.

“I don’t know either way, we will wait and see.

“I’m really enjoying my time here and if I can get more minutes on the pitch then hopefully I can stay and make more of an impact.

“I’m sure the manager will just drag me in during training in the next couple of days and we’ll go from there.”

Fleetwood revealed he did not have too much time before the game to contemplate life as a spring-heeled sidekick to Forster as Albion hatched a plan to trouble Swindon’s more leaden-footed defenders.

He said: “I only knew I was starting just before the game. We travelled up on Saturday night and the gaffer didn’t say anything.

“But you still prepare properly even if you’re going to be on the bench.

“I was delighted to start with Fozzy and we reaped the rewards with a 2-0 win.

“Muzza looked great as well when he came off the bench. I think he had a point to prove.

“He has got a bit of stick in the last couple of weeks off people and he came on and did great.

“That’s what we need him to do with his physical presence and winning headers and he nearly grabbed a goal for us as well.

“It’s nice to have strikers in form and playing well.

“I’m sure the gaffer will be delighted with that.

“I had to fill in for the last 15 or 20 minutes on the right wing which I am happy to do.

“If I do a job there, then I do a job. We got the win and I’m not really bothered where I play.

“But, yes, striker is my favourite position.”

While he was up there, Fleetwood had time to enjoy a classic striker’s finish and win a spot-kick about which he felt there could be no arguments.

He said: “I think it has been coming for the last couple of performances.

“Away at Tranmere and on Boxing Day we were very unlucky. That was another great performance and we definitely deserved the three points.”

Of the opening goal, he said: “I remember Rico (Matt Richards) seeing my run and playing me in. I had a touch and as always you can hear Fozzy in the middle shouting for it so I’ve just cut it back and it’s a great finish with his left foot across the keeper.”

And the penalty? “I think the kick from Sully (John Sullivan) got caught in the wind and their keeper hesitated so I just put my head in where it might get hurt.

“The keeper clattered me a little bit but I managed to get up and as the play went on I saw their player coming in.

“I just nicked it over him and felt a bit of contact. It was a definite penalty.”