Message from Simon Wiles stays the same as Fleetwood seek elusive win over Northampton

Simon Wiles still wants to see more ruthless finishing from Fleetwood

Paddy Madden: Fleetwood aren't favourites against Northampton but we're still ta...

The Cod Army drew 0-0 away to League One strugglers Wigan Athletic on Saturday, when they lacked ruthlessness in front of goal.

Wiles’ side had 12 shots at the DW Stadium, with only two on target, and four points from six winless games have left them 12th in League One, seven points off the play-offs.

Town have a chance to put that right when Northampton Town visit Highbury this evening (7.45pm).

Wiles said: “We still have the same message – that we need to be ruthless and take one of those chances.

“Once we get that first goal, we can definitely build on it and start to be difficult to beat, holding on to a lead and obviously try to get more goals.

“So it’s all about these upcoming fixtures and making sure we can get the first goal – and build on it to give ourselves the best chance to win.

“The biggest concern for me would be if we were not creating chances. The fact is we created so many at MK Dons (last Tuesday), especially in the second half.

“We created chances at Wigan and I keep talking about us creating chances in key moments, when we get on top of teams.

“When that starts happening, I’m fully confident in the players starting to pick up points at home and away.

“It’s a big game for us on Tuesday and I’m going in full of confidence.”

For Wiles, who is in his first senior management role, it is about building on what Fleetwood have done so far.

Saturday’s goalless draw presented him with a first point since taking interim charge, something he feels the team can use to build momentum as they take on the Cobblers.

And a clean sheet from his fourth game at the helm offers something to build on. “I think in the previous games we played well and came away with nothing.

“At Wigan, we can play better but we were better out of possession, so it’s about building on what we’ve been doing game in and game out.

“We went to Wigan, played against tough opposition and we got a point.

“That takes us into the Northampton game, when we have to show the same desire and hunger to be difficult to beat.

“Let’s hope we can start to hit the back of the net and win on Tuesday.”

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