Head coach Joey Barton spoke to the media at Poolfoot Farm on Thursday morning ahead of Fleetwood’s home encounter against Bristol Rovers in Sky Bet League One on Saturday.
The Cod Army will be looking to bounce back from Monday’s last-minute heartbreak in the local derby against Blackpool and finish the season on a high.
A victory for Town could see them rise up the League One standings ahead of the final week of the season.
Here are some of the best quotes from Joey’s press conference…
On facing The Pirates this Saturday…
“They are a good physical side. When we went down there earlier in the season, it was a good contest for the lads. It was a good, honest, physical contest and I expect it will be the same again on Saturday. They have had a great run of form since the new manager has come in, they have managed to get themselves away from the drop zone and put themselves into relatively safe position with a couple of games to go.
“During the second half of the season I think they were averaging two points per game at one point, so it is an enormous credit to Graham and the coaching staff down there because they took over a club that was in a tight bind and managed to get a really good tune out of some of the boys there.
“It is a huge credit to them for doing that and, as I say, we know how difficult the game will be for us on Saturday.”
On the opportunity to finish the season strongly and to blood young players in…
“We have got to use the rest of this season as wisely as we can to make sure that it gives us the best opportunity for the league campaign next season. On the flip side of that, we have a professional courtesy to fulfil the remaining fixtures and try to win games for our fans.
“We also have to have a look at some of the formations and some of the players within the club at this moment in time to see if they are ready for what will be expected of them next year.
“It is important for me that we finish this season as strongly as we possibly can. Obviously, that will give us the momentum to bounce into next season to bounce into next season but the disappointing thing for me is that we have not won a game in the last three outings and we want to put that right.”
On the opportunity to bounce back from Blackpool…
“I was disappointed with the manner of the defeat at Blackpool. There is nothing worse than conceding a stoppage time goal, especially when it is a losing goal and it is against your local rivals.
“Apart from that I am quite pragmatic and for me it is about getting to the game on Saturday and giving ourselves the best opportunity to win. I do not want to go into the off-season without some real positivity around the building and, as I say, that starts with a difficult fixture against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.”