Marcus Braddock looks ahead to tough looking test a Fleetwood
This weekend we face Uwe Rossler and his Fleetwood Town team that currently occupy 9th place in League One. We last met last season and Fleetwood went on to reach the play-off positions but as we are playing them this weekend, we know how that went. My recollections from last season were that they were a well-organised team with a good understanding of their jobs and their teammates. This season they started well but their last ten league games have seen them win three, draw three and lose four. Their recent away form has been a little better though, they've not lost an away game since mid September when Portsmouth beat them 4-1 at Fratton Park.
Top Scorers
Devante Cole 8
Jordy Hiwula-Mayifuila 5
Goal distribution
The most important stat for Fleetwood when it comes to goals is that they've scored in every game so far. One of only two teams in the football League to do that and guess who the other one is! Considering the previous stat it seems odd that Fleetwood have yet to score in the first half of an away game this season. They've made up for it in the second half of games with nine from six on the road in the League.
Fleetwood also concede more goals in the second half but only by one with four scored against in the first half and five scored against in the second half. The best 15-minute segment of away games for Fleetwood in terms of goals is the first fifteen minutes of the second half with four goals scored. Their worst segment of the game in terms of goals conceded is the last fifteen minutes of the game, conceding three times in six games.
Assists
Lewie Coyle and Jordi Hiwula have made the most telling passing contributions with three each but that doesn't tell the whole story. Twelve of their goals have been set up by six players so they're certainly comfortable going forward in numbers.
Clean Sheets
Two at home and two away
Points per Game
Shrewsbury at home 2.71.
Fleetwood away: 1.67.
Officials - Nicholas Kinseley from Essex. Games this season: 10. Yellow card average: 4.2. Red card average 0.3.
Assistants: John Farries and Nicholas Barnard.
Fourth Official: Ravel Cheosiaua.
The Managers
Uwe Rossler has kept it classy with gracious compliments but hopes to be the team to break our unbeaten run.
Paul Hurst noted the similarities between the teams’ style of play and our improvement since facing Fleetwood last season.
Summary
With so many wins this season, it's important to not let complacency slip into our minds. This is a team that has scored in the last ten minutes or later in their last three games, drawing twice and gaining a valuable win. This is also a team that beat 3rd placed Bradford 3-0 away with three goals in the second half. So we know that they must be fit enough to run to the whistle and we also know they score more as the game progresses. It makes me want to say something about not leaving early, just in case you miss something. The thing is though; I said exactly that on Tuesday with stats to prove it and all the goals were scored in the first half! I've stopped making score line predictions but I feel safe in saying we're up against one of the most difficult teams we'll face at Montgomery Waters Meadow which should add to the excitement.
COYB!!!
Marcus