Striker eye injury recovered
David Ball says he is going to push Jamille Matt all the way for a starting spot ahead of tomorrow’s game against Exeter City after he recovered from an eye injury he sustained earlier this month against Tranmere Rovers.
Since that injury, Matt has played a starring role in the vocal point of Fleetwood’s attack - scoring three goals in the process - as well as playing a vital part in the winning goal in last weekend’s win away at Portsmouth.
Ball, though, has impressed with a string of eye-catching performances from the bench, and after fully recovering from his eye injury, the 23-year-old is ready to give Alexander something to think about ahead of the visit of Exeter.
He told Cod Army Player: “I had a little set back and Jamille has taken his chance. I have been working hard in training and I have come on to try and make an impact, to keep him on his toes and keep him going.
“Obviously it is a little set back, but that’s what happens in football. I have been encouraging Jamille just as much as anyone else to do as well. It’s a team game and I shall just keep pushing him and pushing him.
“I am just trying to work hard and give the gaffer a little thought in the back of his mind.”
Fleetwood won their fourth consecutive game in all competitions with their 1-0 win away at Portsmouth in front of a crowd of more than 15,000 people.
Ball believes Town will not experience many better away days than last weekend as well as going on to insist that the players responded to the occasion and the crowd to put in a professional performance.
“That will probably be one of the best games away from home we will have. To play in front of 15,000 people, we are not going to go to many away grounds this season and play in front of as many people.
“That’s always their twelfth man and I think we coped brilliantly with everything they threw at us and we created a lot of chances. It was a professional performance from everyone.
“It just shows that we have got players here who can play in front of them big crowds and still produce to high standards.
“I think this season we have a really professional team throughout who are all keeping each other on our toes and we all want each other to go on, do well, and be successful.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game and Town have a chance to end September with a 100 per cent record with five straight wins – a feat they have not achieved since gaining promotion to the Football League in 2012.
Fleetwood drew both home and away with the Grecians last season, but one player Exeter will be missing is Jamie Cureton who was their top scorer last season, and although Ball admits it is going to be a tough game for Fleetwood, he was also adamant that Town can beat anyone on their day.
“Hopefully, whether I start or come on as a substitute, I can make an impact and help get another three points.
“They’re obviously going to be another tough opposition because they are always in and around the play-off spots, but I think we can go into any game and think do well as long as we are professional and give a good performance.
“He (Cureton) was a big player for them last season. He has always been a big player wherever he has been, he’s scored goals, and so he will be a big miss for them.
“He was a vocal point for them, but I think it is just about us and how we take to the game. If we play the way we can play, I think we can beat anyone on our day.
“You can get in the car on the way home and really enjoy it. The win itself always makes the weekend so much better so that’s what we will be looking to do.”