Fleetwood Town’s head coach Joey Barton shared his delight following Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Bradford City.
Town took the lead through top goal scorer Ched Evans after Ash Hunter delivered a peach of a cross into the City 18-yard box. It was just the start Barton and his side deserved, however when Burns got sent off, it was all the play for.
Eion Doyle equalised from the penalty spot moments before half-time, and it was the winger Ash Hunter who got the winner three minutes after the restart, this time being assisted by Evans. The Cod Army held on and with the home fans in fine voice, and it was destined for the home side to win.
Joey Barton spoke after the match, and here are his best quotes…
Barton on the first home win of the season…
“It is always great to win football matches, especially in the circumstances today!
“It is only three points, one game but it does feel like an awful lot more and that is credit to the boys and also the fans in the stadium as I thought after we went a man down, the strength of the wolf is the pack and we grouped together after losing one.
“I haven’t seen the red card back yet, and I do think it is a tough red card to take, however the team pulled together and produced that team performances.
“To go and get the win after the above and being 1-1 at half-time, it reminded me of the Play-Off Final between QPR and Derby County and that is really pleasing, along with seeing the bonds that are being created within the group.”
On the second half, and being down to ten men…
“We speak to the lads a lot about what is important and it is important for players to show their individual qualities and what you are about, but it is also about being a team, sticking together and that was evident today.
“In the second-half, the lads took the game on and defended their zones and I thought to a man, we were absolutely superb. I feel for Wes [Burns] because he has been brilliant for us.
“He will be protected, the group will get around him as that is what we do here and we now move on.”
Barton on the fans and the atmosphere inside Highbury…
“Behind Bradford’s goal in the second-half, I felt the fans were fantastic and it really rallied the player on and that is massive for the squad.
“They feed off the energy inside the stadium and to a man, the players took on board the fans and they could hear them driving them on until the final whistle.
“Our fans were excellent and deserve a huge pat on the back for sticking with us and helping us grind out that result!”