Defender hoping midweek win can act as springboard
On-loan defender Richard Wood says Town want to build on the midweek win over Shrewsbury in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy as the squad look to impress new manager Steven Pressley.Pressley takes charge of the Cod Army for the first time on Saturday at home to both his and Wood’s former side Coventry City.
The defender, on a month-long loan deal from Rotherham United, spoke to the press ahead of the weekend’s game and addressed issues around Tuesday’s victory, Pressley’s arrival and his time with the Sky Blues.
He said: “Winning games, that’s what it is all about. As it was the cup there was no extra pressure of the league on us. We could forget about that and just enjoy ourselves and we did that second half.
“There were a few substitutions that sparked us into life and hopefully we can just kick on with the new manager now.
“We’ll all be looking to impress and hopefully that performance carries on to Saturday.”
Discussing the current state of the squad, he added: “They’re a good group of players but for whatever reason, confidence wise things take a blip and go against you.
“You’ve just got to dig in and turn that corner which we hopefully did on Tuesday.”
The 30-year-old worked under new manager Pressley briefly during their time at Coventry and knows what to expect.
“I know the manager, he’s managed be before at Coventry so it’s nice to see him again after a few years.
“I know how he works from the couple of months I was with him, and I’m now looking forward to it and how he can help Fleetwood.
“The tempo is very high in training all the time and he’s always on you to perform and do well.”
Saturday’s visitors to Highbury are the Sky Blues, a club Wood spent three seasons with.
“When I was there, they were enduring bad times. They were having a go at first but then obviously the issue with the stadium came up and they moved out.
“There are only one or two left from when I was there. I know a few members of staff too but obviously I don’t want them to do too well on Saturday as we need the three points.”