BREAKING NEWS: Lee Johnson endures miserable Fleetwood start as ex Hibs boss given ‘eye-opener’

Johnson was axed by Easter Road chiefs after a dire start to the campaign before succeeding Scott Brown as Fleetwood boss

Lee Johnson endured a miserable start to life at Fleetwood Town after suffering a 3-0 home defeat to Oxford United.

The ex-Hibs boss replaced Celtic legend Scott Brown in the Highbury hotseat last week just 14 days after losing his job at Easter Road. Brown was axed after a run of six straight losses left the Cod Army rock bottom of League One and Johnson has been tasked with turning things around

But the 42-year-old’s reign in charge started in disappointing fashion after his struggling side were condemned to yet another defeat – leaving them with just one point from seven games. The former Sunderland manager said: “It was certainly not the start that I wanted; in terms of the game, I thought it was neck and neck in that first 15 minutes, then Oxford scored a good goal from their point of view, but it was disappointing from our point of view.

Yes, it was an eye-opener. I think we’ve got a better squad of players than we saw on paper today, there were good elements to the game as we have had good chances – we hit the woodwork twice. I’m looking at the boys and they have to commit, the key word for me is that commitment.

They have to commit to execute what we’ve worked on during the week, they have to commit to putting their bodies on the line. Often in games, the timing of goals, especially with the league position we’re in at the moment, can deflate players a little bit quickly.”

“The physical fitness is there but it’s the emotional fitness. They need to be able to deal with mini setbacks in the game and can we deal with them better, can we look after our mates if they make a mistake just that little bit better.”