Manager's thoughts ahead of Boxing Day clash
The Boxing Day trip to Shrewsbury Town will be the first of 11 games for Fleetwood Town in the next 43 days.The hectic cycle will start with Micky Mellon’s side at Greenhous Meadow on the 26th, and end against the Shropshire side on Saturday 6th February at Highbury Stadium.
Nine League One matches and two Johnstone’s Paint Trophy matches will be taking place during that spell.
Over the Christmas period, Town have a double header on home soil against North West sides Wigan Athletic and Bury.
Manager Steven Pressley explained to the Club website the importance of managing the whole first team squad.
“It is a hectic period. It is not always about the players that are playing, it is managing the ones that are not playing.
“There is not a lot of time to train, a lot of work is tactical and recovery sessions, there is not a lot of intensity training during this period.
“The ones that are not playing, we have to keep on top of, we need to make sure that they are fit and ready to come in when asked.
“This is one of the most challenging aspects and this is why our fitness coaches work hard to make sure that not just our starting players are ok, all of our players are ready for action.
“It is a hectic period but it is also a very enjoyable period because the stadiums tend to be full and there is always a good atmosphere over the festive period.
“We really enjoy it. Unfortunately, you do not get to see as much of your family as you would like to but it is part and parcel of being involved in football.”
Saturday’s opponents, managed by former Town boss Mellon, have already locked horns with Fleetwood this season, as the Cod Army ran out 1-0 winners in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
The manager described the fixture as another ‘massive game’ for the Club but is confident all three points will return to Lancashire.
He concluded: “Shrewsbury Town are in a similar predicament to ourselves, hovering near the drop zone. It is another massive game like the match against Crewe.
“We will go to Shrewsbury with great belief because of the way we are playing at this moment in time. The players have a really good feeling about themselves and they are performing very well.
“We have to go there and win. It is another pivotal game in our season. It is a game that could define whether we are moving up the league table or we are once again in the dog fight. If we can play to our levels we can win on Boxing Day.”
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