Fleetwood Town could not have wished for a better start to their new season than a visit from double European Cup winners Nottingham Forest in the first round of the Capital One Cup.
By David MitchellFleetwood Town could not have wished for a better start to their new season than a visit from double European Cup winners Nottingham Forest in the first round of the Capital One Cup.
This will be Town’s first game in the League Cup, as it is more commonly known, and comes courtesy of their new status as a Football League club.
Town manager, Micky Mellon, is upbeat about the mood in the dressing room and his players are raring to go:
‘We are very buoyant and the lads are desperate for some competitive football. They have prepared properly and are fit. The indication of a successful pre-season is to get pretty much everyone involved ready and available and we’ve done that.’
New signing, Damien Johnson, is Mellon’s only injury doubt, apart from long-term absentee, Anthony Barry. Others not available are goalkeeper, Chris Maxwell, who is on duty for Wales U21s against Armenia on Tuesday, and Nathan Pond who is spending a month on loan at Grimsby Town.
‘We will be looking to play as we always do,’ says Mellon,’ and to organise a team that can beat Forest. We’ll try to play attractive football. Our fans demand that. We’ll be looking to hit the ground running.’
Town trained in front of the fans at Highbury on Saturday, the Capital One Cup being on display at the ground and around the town thanks to competition sponsors Capital One. Mellon sees these as important opportunities to bring the fans and the club closer together:
‘We had a good session on Saturday and got some fine tuning in ahead of a massive first game. The fans are the lifeblood of the club and to see them down with the players and the trophy on such a lovely day was marvellous. The cup is probably something that they will have previously only seen on TV.’
Town’s manager was impressed with Forest in their friendly against West Brom at the City Ground last Friday, despite them losing 2-0 to the Baggies:
‘Both teams impressed me and it was a good chance to watch some top football. We need our fans to get right behind us now for what will be a tough match.’
Forest keeper, Lee Camp, has been called up for Northern Ireland. Karl Darlow will step in. The highly rated young keeper played eight games in the Conference for Newport County last season. Midfielder, Simon Gillett, has a knock but should play. Fellow midfielder, Chris Cohen, is back in full training.
Sean O’Driscoll has made a return to the City Ground as manager following a successful five month spell at the club as First Team Coach. O’Driscoll forged an impressive reputation as manager and coach during five years at Doncaster. Another familiar face on the bench is Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who was appointed First Team Coach 12 months ago.
Despite losing to West Brom, O’Driscoll will have been heartened by a 3-1 win over Aston Villa six days earlier.
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Match Odds
Fleetwood Town 9/4 Draw 9/4 Nottingham Forest 5/4
