Paul McKenna says it is has been no coincidence that Fleetwood have picked up maximum points from their recent back-to-back away fixtures.
By Tom BestwickPaul McKenna says it is has been no coincidence that Fleetwood have picked up maximum points from their recent back-to-back away fixtures.
Town followed up their 1-0 victory away at Torquay on Saturday by beating Oxford United for the second time in 17 days to lift themselves back into the play-off positions.
The two wins also maintain Fleetwood’s fantastic away record that has only seen them lose three fixtures away from Highbury Stadium.
“We have travelled well, and done things right off the pitch, and if you do things right you get your rewards. It is no coincidence that we have come to two places that are a fare trip away from home and come away with maximum points,” McKenna said.
Town came away from the Kassam Stadium with a 2-1 victory. Ryan Crowther and Junior Brown gave Graham Alexander’s side a commanding lead, but Oxford’s Liam Davis halved the deficit with a minute remaining, and McKenna feels the win could have been much more comfortable for his side.
“We should have properly gone 3-0 up. I think Jean-Michel (Fontaine) had a good chance to make it three, and then the games dead and buried. At 2-0 it is a strange score line, because once they get one you know they are going to throw the kitchen sink at you.
“The lad scored a great goal to get them back in the game, the keeper has to make a couple of saves, but I think we should have wrapped it up before then, and made it a little more comfortable. Either way are happy to come away with three points.”
35-year-old, McKenna was brought into the side to add a bit more experience to Towns ranks, and he has been an ever present in the starting line-up since joining up in January.
“It is just keeping cool heads. I think sometimes we get a bit excited and we want to clear the ball, and slash at things. We are all guilty of it, I have done it myself. I think the gaffer wants me to just keep the shape as good as it can be, and keep everyone in contact with each other, and maintaining the defensive strengths that we have.”
Paul McKenna was signed from npower Championship side Hull City on a loan deal to the end of the season, and the former Preston man says he has been given a new lease of life since moving to the Fylde coast.
“It’s been great. It has been a breath of fresh air, for myself, it had come to a dead end as far as Hull are concerned, and it has given me a new lease of life. It’s nice to come and be a part of a team and hopefully we can go on and do something.”