OPPOSITION REPORT: Fleetwood Town v Swindon Town

THE CHALKBOARD

STEVEN Pressley was only appointed last month, but he has quickly implemented a hard-pressing system which starts with the front three.

The Cod Army will look to steal the ball in Town’s half and catch the visitors out of position.

With the front three stationed high up the field, the full-backs, Conor McLaughlin and former Town man Amari’i Bell, are required to join in with the play going forward.

Eggert Jónsson anchors the midfield three and acts as an enforcer in front of the back line, although he does have a tendency to pick up bookings and has already seen red once this season.

Up front the wide men look to join up with talented Belgian youngster David Henen by coming in off their flanks. David Ball in particular has an eye for goal.

LIKELY LINE-UP:

A MAN IN FORM: TARIQUE FOSU

Tarique Fosu

TARIQUE Fosu has only played 20 minutes of football for the Cod Army, but he did enough in that time to suggest he could be a catalyst for better things at Highbury, in what has so far been a poor season.

Driving directly at the heart of the Peterborough defence last week he caused plenty of problems with his touch and bags of pace, which looks to have done enough to earn a start against Town.

Fosu has only made a couple of appearances for parent club, Reading, but is highly regarded by the coaches at the Madjeski.

His cameo last week brought about the best in fellow frontmen David Henen and David Ball, who were inspired and tried to emulate the 20-year-old’s success.

It is a lot of pressure to put on a player of such limited experience, how Fosu handles it will play a part in Fleetwood’s chances.

TREATMENT ROOM:

Danny Andrew

THE COD Army are virtually without any walking wounded for the visit of Swindon.

The only player they are certain to be without is back-up defender Victor Nirennold, who picked up a knee injury back in October and has been unable to make a return as of yet.

However, he is behind both Dionatan Teixeira and Nathan Pond in the pecking order.

Injury-prone full-back Danny Andrew may make a return at the expense of former Town loanee Amari’i Bell having returned from his latest spell on the sidelines in a development game in the week. Bell has begun to show signs of development recently and is likely to play against his old club.

Oppo form guide

Sat, Oct 24
Skybet League 1
1-0 Win v Sheff Utd (A)

Sat, Oct 31
Skybet League 1
1-0 Defeat v Chesterfield (H)

Sat, Nov 7
FA Cup R1
2-0 Defeat v Walsall (A)

Tue, Nov 10
JPT Final Area QF
0-0 Draw (Pen Win) v Sheff Utd (H)

Sat, Nov 14
Skybet League 1
2-1 Defeat v Peterborough (A)

Goalscorers
Bobby Grant: 4
Jamie Grant: 4
David Ball: 2

Discipline
Eggert Jónsson: 4y, 1R
Jimmy Ryan: 4y
Antoni Sarcevic: 3y

The stat

Fleetwood's David Ball, a former Town loanee under Danny Wilson, is nominated for this year’s Puskas Award.