Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton has previewed the weekend’s crunch derby against Blackpool, outlining that his side need to be in top form to get a result.
Joey Barton’s side head to Bloomfield Road sitting in seventh place, just a place and four goals above their Fylde Coast rivals Blackpool.
Both teams look firmly within the push for promotion to the Championship this season as they are both outside of the top six on goal difference alone and looking up, heading into the festive period and beyond.
The Trawlermen look like very good candidates for promotion alongside Blackpool and this derby presents more than just bragging rights as they intend to push on. Previewing the game to the club’s official site, Barton had this to say on what to expect from their opponents: “There is not much separating us both in the league. I know they have played more games than us, but there is not much between us in the table.
“They are a side that is a good competitive League One outfit. Simon [Grayson] has got them well organised. You can see what they can create and what they are trying to do. It is another fantastic opportunity for us to go there and show our qualities as a team.
“It is a good test for us, if we are serious about mounting a challenge for promotion, you have to go to Blackpool who are no mugs and get a result, but we acknowledge that they have taken some decent points [of good teams this season].
“They are difficult to beat, they are never out of a contest and we are going to have to be the best version of ourselves, and perform.”
Fleetwood come into this game looking for their first win over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road in their history, which is sure to motivate the players that little bit extra heading into the game. Barton commented on this too when asked about the occasion, he added: “We will go there with the chance for the lads to take a bit of history for themselves.
“They have done a few things here for them to be the first to do something, and they have the chance this weekend to be the first Fleetwood side to win at Blackpool.
“It is going to be tough, they will have to earn it. Any accomplishment will be very much sought after from our players.
“But, I expect Blackpool to want to defend the same record, with everything they have got from a physical perspective.”
Blackpool will be intent on making sure this unwanted Fleetwood run goes on against them, but it will be a tall order with the Trawlermen in fine form coming into the fixture.
The Verdict
It is sure to be a very interesting game at Bloomfield Road tomorrow with both sides having their play-off credentials tested, regardless of the added spice of it being a local derby.
Barton will be hoping he becomes the first Fleetwood manager to taste victory at Blackpool but it will be no easy feet with Simon Grayson steadying the ship at Blackpool and making them a side well within their rights to push for promotion back to the second tier.