The Fleetwood and Blackpool derby, a game that never seizes to grasp the attention of both sets of fans and with the ability of it going both ways, it is a derby not to miss. Despite the last two meetings between the sides at Highbury both amounting to 0-0 draws, the packed away end has always made for an absorbing fixture. Goals are something Blackpool have found hard to come by this year too, but boasting the best defensive record in the league simultaneously, maybe this year, more than ever, the match is destined for that recurring score line. Will history repeat itself, or will the huge changes on the pitch and in the dugouts prevail and live up to the hype? There is not long to wait now.
Injuries and Suspensions: Both sides are approaching full fitness, but Jimmy Ryan continues his recovery and Fleetwood have Norwich City loanee James Husband out injured.
Fleetwood Town:
After the shock defeat on the opening day, as they fell foul of a 0-1 defeat to Wimbledon, Fleetwood and Joey Barton have been a mixed bag, but since that defeat there has nothing been out of the ordinary. Fleetwood have not managed any surprising victories or conversely have experienced any surprising defeats, however, the point they claimed at The Stadium Of Light and the 0-5 tramping of Scunthorpe have proven their quality and although they have lost their last two against Portsmouth and Peterborough, they were both by slender 1 goal margins with Fleetwood being well in with a shout in both games.
Joey Barton has recruited well at Fleetwood, bringing in much needed experience to a largely youthful squad, namely Ross Wallace, Dean Marney and Jason Holt in midfield along with Criag Morgan, Nathan Sheron and James Husband in the defence. He has also worked wonders for their strike force bringing in Ched Evans on loan, following his neglect by parent club Sheffield United. The striker has scored 6 times for the Cod Army and this has clearly rubbed off on his teammates, as the likes of Ashley Hunter have also excelled, with the winger assisting an impressive 7 times so far.
In comparison both sides have a very good defensive record, Fleetwood conceding 0.93 per game and Blackpool 0.69, the best in the League with Tilt and Daniels having built an immense partnership. When it comes to goals scored however there is a definitive greater variation. Blackpool have only scored 1.15 per game where as Fleetwood have been more impressive, particularly when Evans leads the line, with Town scoring 1.4 per game. With Fleetwood currently 13th and without any games in hand they will be desperate to halt the small run of bad form and begin to mount a playoff challenge. A win for Blackpool could move the Seasiders closer to the playoffs, but with 2 games in hand and 2 extra points, Blackpool are in a much healthier position than Town. Nevertheless, it is bound to make for an intriguing and entertaining match and one that could easily be a turning point in either sides season.
Website: https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ftfc
Buy Tickets: https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/tickets/
Last Meeting:
McPhillips Preview:
Barton Preview:
UTP