Matty Blair is hoping to get his chance in the starting eleven on Saturday afternoon as the Cod Army take on table toppers Oxford United at Highbury in Sky Bet League 2.
The former York City man has not started a league game for Town since the home defeat at the hands of Scunthorpe on the 22nd October.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Oxford, the 24 year old said: “I only got five minutes or something like that on Tuesday against Accrington Stanley, so unfortunately I couldn’t make a difference, but we go again now as that result has gone”.
With right sided midfielder Gareth Evans in a rich vein of goalscoring form having netted twice against Mansfield Town last weekend, Blair may again find his chances limited but is raring to go should manager Graham Alexander give him the nod: “I’ve been ready from pretty much the start of the season, but for some reason or another I haven’t had many starts as the lads have been doing really well. Obviously, Gaz (Gareth Evans) on the right hand is playing well, so I understand why I haven’t been starting, but I am ready to go”.
Despite the setback at Stanley in midweek, Blair says the lads have all been training well ahead of Saturday’s eagerly awaited encounter: “I always work hard in training, but all the lads do to be fair and it’s important that we do because it benefits you more on a Saturday as it gives you better opportunities to beat your opponent. I can only do my bit and hopefully I’ve done enough to maybe get a chance”.
Blair and Co know that a victory would lift them above Saturday’s opponents, and if results go their way, could see them top the league on Saturday night: “They’re leaders, but if we beat them then we go above them and that’s the incentive. We’ve worked hard in training all week and hopefully we’ll beat them”.
Saturday’s clash starts a string of three games in different competitions at Highbury, with Town welcoming Burton Albion in the FA Cup on the 7th December, before an area semi-final tie against Rotherham United in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy three days later: “Hopefully there’ll be a good little atmosphere around the place to get the stadium bouncing and hopefully get people talking about Fleetwood Town Football Club”.