Lewie Coyle has spoken to the media ahead of Saturday’s match at Blackpool, and has given his thoughts ahead of his first Fylde Coast derby.
Coyle missed the reverse fixture in November due to suspension, with the Leeds United loanee excited to feature at Bloomfield Road.
See the key moments from his pre-match press conference below…
On derby day…
“Derby days always add a bit of spice to a fixture. It’s another game we will look to go and win. We’ve had a great run of games recently, which we needed. We will look forward to Saturday and hope to get the three points.
“Derby days are all about the fans. They’ll want the local bragging rights. It’s a huge game for people round here, but we go into the game focusing as we would for any game. Of course, you always listen to a little bit of outside noise, and that makes it a special occasion.”
On the impact the fans can have…
“The fans will have a huge impact. Hopefully the issues at Blackpool don’t have too much of an effect and we’ll see good numbers. I know we’ll take a lot of fans because it’s so local, and they always make a massive difference because when you’re struggling in games and you hear that extra bit of noise, it does help.”
On his expectations of the opposition…
“Seeing their last few results, they are flying. You don’t get any easy games in League One so I’m expecting a tough game but with the run we’re on in the moment, it’s a game we can go on to win.”
On two in for teams…
“For the spectators it will be a very good game. But hopefully we’re not on the receiving end of their recent performances with the amount of goals they’ve scored. We will try and be solid.”
On his first Fylde Coast derby…
“It’s a first for me, another tick in the box. It’s a new ground too, I’ve never played at Blackpool before, which is something I’m looking forward to.”
On reaching John Sheridan’s points target and having survival in touching distance…
“Football is a strange game. Until you’re mathematically safe, you’re not safe. People will look at the league table and say with 54 points you would be unlucky to get relegated. At the end of the day, we’re in control of it now and we’ve worked hard to get to where we are.
“Nothing is set in stone in football until we’re mathematically safe so we’ll try and win our four remaining games – and there is no reason why we shouldn’t try to finish as high up the table as possible.”
On looking to win the final four games…
“The manager has said look up the table rather than over our shoulder and that is the attitude he’s given us since he’s come in, and that shows why we’ve been doing so well.
“He’s not come in and told us we need to worry about anyone else, just worry about ourselves. The performances have got better on the pitch and he’s told us to look up the table.”
On the Fleetwood fans expected in attendance…
“You’ve heard them at Highbury when they get going, and they can make a good old racket, so if there’s a thousand going to Blackpool there will be some great noise coming from them.”