Fleetwood Town loanee is ready to meet some familiar faces against Accrington Stanley

Town host Stanley in League One this afternoon, a game that also made the 23-year-old (right) think back to December’s league meeting with Blackpool.

Town go into the game on the back of defeat at Sunderland in midweek and it’s one where they will come up against some familiar faces.

Connolly said: “It’s a big game, following on from Tuesday we want to get the win.

“All the lads are buzzing coming into training, and with it being a derby game, we’re just looking forward to it.

“We miss the fans for these games. With the Blackpool game a few months ago, we could have done with the fans there but it’s just the time we’re in at the minute. Hopefully they’re back next season.

“I know a few of the lads there, they’re doing well.

“I think everyone’s been surprised. They were four games behind us and they’re still flying at the minute.

“We’ve just got to focus on ourselves and crack on from there.

“I know a couple of the coaching staff. I had John Doolan as a coach at Everton, from when I was 12 until 14, I’ve got a good relationship with him.

“A few of the Scousers here know a few of their lads. I think it’s a good bond but I don’t think we’ll be smiling on the pitch on Saturday.”

Connolly will be tasked with restricting a usually free-flowing Accrington side.

Town’s defensive shape has switched between four and three at the back but it seems likely they will encounter at least two central strikers.

Connolly believes that however Accrington line up, it will be another good experience for him.

The Everton loanee said: “They’ve changed it up a bit.

“They’re passing the ball around but they can go direct as well.

“They have a good side, their striker’s one of the top scorers in the league (Dion Charles, 13 goals) so he’s doing well.

“We just have to focus on ourselves and make sure we’re doing everything possible to win on Saturday.

“It’s different. We’ve had different formations this year, we’ve played in a three and in a four.

“Everyone is enjoying it at the minute, I think we’ve played well in the last few games in a three.

“You come across different teams and different styles of play.

“You come across 6ft 5in guys and 5ft 10in lads.

“It’s just a good experience playing against different people.”

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