Pressley wants more goals from the defence

Centre-half Stephen Jordan and full-back Amari’i Bell are yet to score this term, while right-back Conor McLaughlin has netted twice and captain Nathan Pond has only scored in the wrong net – in the 1-0 defeat at Blackpool in November.

Pressley praised his mean defence for their ability to keep the goals out after picking up yet another clean sheet in the 0-0 draw with Blackpool last Saturday.

But with Town just two points above the drop zone with just two games to play – at Walsall on Monday and at home to Crewe on Sunday week – manager Pressley says the defenders need to chip in at the other end.

He said: “We need to score goals, no doubt about that.

“It is fair to say we don’t give up many chances right now and the defenders have been strong, but I want them also to chip in with more goals at the other end.

“I have spoken to our defenders and said we need a greater contribution from set- plays than we are getting and we all have to work towards that. “I want more from our defenders in that respect. They are doing very well at one end and I want them to make a contribution of goals at the other.”

And after wasting a number of set-pieces in the 0-0 draw with relegation rivals Blackpool, Pressley wants his men to improve their delivery and show a greater desire to get on the end of the set-plays too.

He said: “We work on set-plays regularly, but at the moment I need the desire to get your head on the ball and I need the correct delivery too.

“You can work on set-plays as much as you want, but the delivery has to be right and the desire to get your head on the ball has to be right.”

If it does come down to goal difference Fleetwood’s good defence will save them. Fleetwood have a goal difference of -4, which is way better (between nine and 13) than all the other clubs in the relegation fight.

But Pressley says they need to start turning good performances into results.

He said: “We aren’t conceding many goals, and ours is certainly not the goal difference of a team that is fighting for their lives, but we have to turn our performances into more positive results.

“Nobody will tell you they enjoy the experience of fighting for survival.

“You want to be up at the other end of the table fighting for promotion, but it shapes you as a character and you have to stand up to it.

“You have to stand up to the pressures and you often find out about people at moments like this.

“The group has remained positive and is in a good frame of mind going into the last two games.”