Joey Barton has given his reaction to Fleetwood Town’s New Year’s Day point at Shrewsbury Town.
Barton’s side started off 2019 with a clean sheet, as well as ending the run of losing six straight away games in Sky Bet League One.
Wes Burns had Town’s best chance late in the second half, but both sides had to settle for a point in what was an even game.
See below what Joey had to say in his post-match interview…
On the game….
“I felt in the first half we were miles the better side and although it wasn’t an occasion for great football, I thought we dominated the territory and looked the side more likely to go on and win the game.
“Credit to Sam [Ricketts, Shrewsbury Manager], he made a change at half-time and altered his sides shape and that caused us some issues and forced us deeper than we’d have liked. They got a foot hold in the game – which you expect them to do at home in front of the fans, but our response was first class.
“We know we can be more clinical and today we had opportunities on the counter attack, but the important aspect is that we kept the back door closed, with Alex Cairns not having that much to do.
“We’re delighted to keep a clean sheet and now it’s important to keep that going.”
On stopping the losing streak on the road…
“I am obviously delighted with this as we are now unbeaten on the road in the New Year, and that is a nice statistic which we will now look to carry on! You saw the pitch today, it is at that time of year where was it wasn’t a day for the nice tidy football, it was about being up for a scrap and a battle.
“The two teams competed throughout and on a balance of play, it was probably a fair result. For us it was a case of shoring up the back line after conceding five at home to Portsmouth, so I have to be delighted for the defenders and the keeper to get the clean sheet, because the performance warranted that.”
On the next game in the Emirates FA Cup against AFC Wimbledon…
“For clubs in our division, the FA Cup is the lifeblood of clubs and it will be the same for Wimbledon on the day but obviously in the Third Round you want a big side but if you don’t you want a home tie and we’ve got that.
“Wally Downes is now in there at the club and I know him from his time at Queens Park Rangers. We will have to be on our mantle on the day to get ourselves into the next round.”