Joey Barton has given his reaction to Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Burton Albion at Highbury.
Ched Evans’ second half penalty sealed the points, as the Cod Army moved back into the top ten of the Sky Bet League One table.
See below the key quotes from Joey’s post-match interview…
Joey on today’s bad conditions…
“You knew it was going to be very, very testing for both teams. Obviously, it progressively seemed to get worse over the afternoon, we knew first period it was going to be difficult in terms of your kicking and in terms of clearances, getting clear of your territory and into the opposition’s half.
“I thought the lads were absolutely first class in terms of the professionalism in the way that they dealt with the weather conditions. You’ve got to have a huge amount of respect for the players, it’s not easy playing in those conditions, it’s very rare that you see both teams sprint off the pitch and into the tunnel after the ref blows his whistle, so that gives you an idea of how cold it was out there.”
Joey reflecting on the game…
“Obviously, the challenges were there for both teams, you could sense that the team that managed the conditions better on the day would end up with the three points.
“The lads showed some real character, it wasn’t plain sailing, obviously they’ve come with a game plan and we had to defend our box at times. The lads at the back, some of the tackles and blocks at key moments were absolutely crucial. When you’ve got a front line of McAleny, Hunter, Evans and Madden you’re going to create chances in a game.
“I felt that on the balance of play that we deserved the three points and it’s nice to go into the week ahead of the back of a really gutty team performance in really poor conditions.”
Joey on the penalty…
“You’re just happy to score a goal whatever way it comes, I thought we should have put it in the net in the build up to it anyway.
“We shouldn’t have given the lad a chance to bring us down to create the penalty, but he did and Ched put it away with an absolute plum, it’s a first class penalty and doesn’t give the keeper a chance.
“We would have liked to get that second goal to make the afternoon a little bit more comfortable.”
Joey on home record and praise for the supporters…
“For us it’s about getting points on the board whether it’s here at Highbury or away from Highbury. Obviously, it’s nice that it looks like this to everybody else, that it is a difficult place to go.
“I must thank the fans, to turn out in that today, in the numbers that they have. It’s not easy, especially when that wind, sleet and snow is rushing through there.
“I must give a big mention to them, because they turn out and support us through whatever weather, I’m buzzing that we can get the three points for them. As I say, six unbeaten at home and it’s important that we keep that run going right till the end of the season.”