Head coach Joey Barton says he is frustrated following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Rochdale at Highbury.
Barton’s side led 2-1 going into the 96th minute of the game, but Ian Henderson’s second goal of the match ensured the points were shared.
Goals from Paddy Madden and Ched Evans looked to have secured the three points, but it wasn’t to be for the Cod Army.
Here are the key quotes from Joey Barton’s post-match interview…
On his emotions after the game…
“We are frustrated, and when you concede as late as we did, it feels like we have lost the game.
“The lads are down and that is the most disappointing thing because on the balance of play, we should have taken all three points. That is football and football gives you adversity and you need things to go your way at key times in the match.
“We got stuck in, scored two goals at home and probably did enough to win the game. The games are coming thick and fast and we need to get ready for Scunthorpe on Wednesday night.”
On Paddy Madden and Ched Evans on the score sheet again...
“It’s great that those two are scoring, however we need the rest of the team to weigh in and on another occasion, they probably could have but the lads have a good run going and long may that continue.
“We just need to make sure that protect Alex Cairns’ goal and make sure we see games out, because that is another disappointing aspect.
“I thought we were miles better today than we were in our last home match against AFC Wimbledon, and it’s now important we keep that upward trajectory, that upward curve going, and eventually we will turn this into a hard place for teams to come.”
On the key decisions late in the game…
“We have seen the replay back and the goalkeeper clearly comes outside of his box, he doesn’t get to the ball first and it was Wes [Burns] who got a touch and it then came off the keepers’ arm.
“If you look at the letter of the laws, that is a sending off and it would have affected the outcome of that game. There are four officials out on the pitch and none of them see it so that’s frustrated.
“We felt there was a foul on Conor McAleny before Rochdale got their goal at the end, but that is football and now we need to control the controllable. It was a disappointing ending to the game as we were the better side for long spells.”