Sam Ricketts talks to Shrewsweb about Saturday’s Sky Bet League One fixture against Fleetwood.
After a good weeks training, Sam said; “It was a little bit different really because we had a fair few niggles coming out of the game at the weekend. It was frustrating really off the back of what had been a good week. Physically the lads look great, but we’ve had three, four, five niggles coming out of the game so we’re just managing those all week and hopefully they’ll be alright ready to go again on Saturday.” Dave Edwards returned to the bench on Saturday against Rotherham after having a few weeks on the side-line due to picking up a knock.
Montgomery Waters Meadow hosted the Shropshire Senior Cup Final on Tuesday evening. Shrewsbury academy played against Whitchurch Alport. Alport secured the cup as the final scored ended 3-1. A few first team players were involved in the game to allow them game time. “There were a few players that needed to play 90 minutes and to get that in their bodies to keep them ticking over. Fitness levels have been good, but I just wanted to give them a game and make sure they stay ready to play as and when required.”
Town host Fleetwood on Saturday. Fleetwood have had a good start to the season as they currently sit fourth in the Sky Bet League One table. Fleetwood secured a late win against Rochdale last week and went on to beat Liverpool U21’s in The Leasing.com trophy after the 90 minutes ended one all. Fleetwood went on to score four out of five penalties to secure the win.
“I think they’re a number of sides who are having a really good go this year. Previous years, around ten or eleven teams have spent really good money for League One and have gone above and beyond to try and get some success this year and Fleetwood are one them so, I’m not surprised they have done well and they’ve recruited well and I expect them to do pretty well.” Said Sam.
New Year’s Day was the last time Town faced Fleetwood in a goalless draw at Montgomery Waters Meadow. “I can remember that game. I think any team who played with any intensity that day would’ve won the game. Unfortunately, we didn’t, and we couldn’t get up to the levels required to see the game out. It’ll be a good game for us. Back at home, a game we're looking forward to against a side who have started the season really well.They've had a few really good results and it’ll be a good game to test ourselves against.”
Town are currently unbeaten at home in the League. “You want to keep momentum going, keep runs going and being unbeaten at home is great. We want to make home our place to come and we’ve looked pretty good at home to be fair this year. That doesn’t mean you have to divine rights because everyone will want to come here and disrupt that. Ultimately the most important thing is making sure we keep picking up points whether that’s home or away.”
“We’ve probably got four or five niggles going into this game, hopefully everyone will be recovered in time for Saturday. We had a few limping towards the end of the game. it was a big week for us physically, last week, where all our physical stats were up, highest of the season for those three games. It’s not really surprising, there’s a few things coming out of it as we get going along this line, further down the line I think hitting those physical stats won’t result in niggles because the players will become use to it. But we are getting there, slowly, players are slowly getting back to full fitness. The new signings are bedding in slowly but surely but still not unfortunately had that free clear week where everyone’s fit and raring to go.”
Almost played ten games into the season, Sam reflects on his side’s performance and the beginning of the 2019/20 League campaign. “I think it’s been a very solid start; I think it’s been encouraging. I think given the turnover the club has had, and we keep evolving all the time. We’ve had players in that weren’t here at the start of the season whether that’s new signings or coming back from long-term injures. We’re still evolving, we’re still gelling and that will continue for a number of months. It’s been an encouraging start and it’s given us a platform to go and kick on."