This Week's Opposition: Fleetwood Town

Attention returns to League One this weekend as Fratton Park opens its gates for the second time this week. Matchday number 11 awaits - Fleetwood Town the opponents for Pompey.

Tuesday night’s 5-0 victory over the Aston Villa Under-21s represented a return to winning ways for the Blues, who were defeated by 3 goals to 2 by Ipswich Town at Portman Road last time out in the league.

Danny Cowley’s men now occupy 4th position after midweek results, however 7 points off top spot with 2 games in hand.

The Cod Army of Fleetwood will be standing in their way of closing the gap to the sides above.

MANAGER

Former Celtic and Aberdeen midfielder Scott Brown is now the head coach of Fleetwood.

The 37-year-old took up the role on May the 12th, succeeding Stephen Crainey, who had been appointed on an interim basis following the departure of Simon Grayson midway through last season.

The Celtic legend had represented Scotland on 55 occasions between 2005 and 2017 and his position at Fleetwood is his first in management.

ONE TO WATCH

Winger Carlos Mendes Gomes is one to keep an eye on this time around.

The Fleetwood number 7 has made 6 appearances for the club since arriving on loan from Luton Town in the summer.

Mendes Gomes moved to Kenilworth Road in the summer of 2021 following 3 successful years at Morecambe, with whom he won promotion to League One with last May.

During that promotion winning season, which came via the League Two Play-Offs, the 23-year-old was the club’s top scorer with 15 goals.

TOP SCORER

24-year-old Daniel Batty is currently the club’s top scorer in League One this season.

The midfielder has 2 goals at this stage but has not found the back of the net since a 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle on the 6th of August.

Although Fleetwood have netted 10 times in the league so far, the goals have been scored by 9 different players, with Batty the only one to have scored twice.

For those either at the game this weekend or watching on iFollow, Daniel Batty will be wearing the number 24 shirt.

CURRENT FORM

Scott Brown’s side have accumulated 15 points from their opening 11 games in League One this season, earning them a spot in 12th position, 5 points behind the Play-Off places and 6 ahead of the relegation zone.

Fleetwood have picked up 8 points from their last 5 league outings, recording 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat within that same timeframe.

Their most recent match ended in victory, beating Burton Albion 1-0 at the Pirelli Stadium on Tuesday night.

The last time the Blues faced these opponents they had to overturn an early 3 goal deficit at Fratton Park to steal a point in a game which saw Aiden O’Brien net in the 95th minute. That match back in February ended 3-all.

Who will claim all 3 points at PO4 this weekend - Portsmouth or Fleetwood Town?

Tune in to 93.7 Express FM from 2 O'Clock this Saturday afternoon for full, uninterrupted coverage of the Blues' next League One fixture. Robbie James, Dean Adams and Jay Sadler will be on hand with pre and post-match analysis of this game.