Fleetwood Town head coach Joey Barton spoke to the media following his sides 2-2 draw against Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon.
Barton saw his side take home a point from the game in South Yorkshire, with Ched Evans’ brace being cancelled out by goals from Freddie Ladapo and Matt Crooks.
The Millers came from behind twice, in what was an end to end game in the last match before Christmas.
Below are the key points from Barton’s post-match interview.
On the game…
“We knew the qualities that Rotherham have, with lots of players who at League One level can be match winners and influence a game, so we knew we had to attack so it wasn’t a case of us coming here and being able to sit back and try to contain.
“They have got some fire power which you can see when they use the bench, they had some goal scoring threats running right throughout the team.
“I thought first half we were superb, for me it was as good as we’ve played away from home in my time here. We were dominant in possessions and a tad unfortunate not to go in with a further lead.
“To come to a club as big as Rotherham, and spend 43 of the 45 minutes camped in their half producing corners and chances was really pleasing.”
On the push for promotion…
“I said to the lads our season starts here. Everybody is jockeying for a position, everybody beats everybody in our league and the results today are testament to that.
“We just need to focus on us and we’ve got to be a side that’s capable of beating any team. At this moment in time we have that feel good factor at home and can beat anybody, and the challenge for us is to build that on the road.
“That’s another point on the board and it keeps us in touching distance of that group that’s at the top end of the table.
“Peterborough are now second in the table and there we picked up three points. Shrewsbury won today and we took all the points there, and we’ve picked up another point today. t’s a step in the right direction to consolidate what has been a superb home campaign.”
On the Christmas fixture list…
“It is what it is! As a player you prepare for these moment, and the players are well versed to it.
“For me I don’t really think it changes too much, just that the games come thick and fast and once you get into the Christmas, you don’t even know what day it is.”