Fleetwood Town boss Joey Barton has spoken to the media after his side were held to a 2-2 draw by Oxford United.
Goals from Wes Burns and Paddy Madden had the Cod Army in a comfortable position at the break, but the visitors hit back in the second half through James Henry and Jamie Mackie to earn a point.
Here’s what Joey had to say about the game…
On the game...
“We were in a commanding position and probably should have put the game to bed at half-time with a little bit more composure. Obviously, the elements kick in second half and individual errors cost us again.
“That’s the most frustrating thing, because the platform to win the game and take three points is there and we feel like we’ve lost it. We looked very, very dangerous in the first half and we’ve got goals in the side - but we need to keep that back door closed.
“[Not having] Ched Evans, who’s been a huge source of goals, and Ash Hunter, whose hamstring was a bit tight, restricted us in terms of what we could do today. To lose two players like that and still absorb it is credit to the team.
“[At the start of the] second half I was thinking let’s go and win this four or five and make this relatively comfortable. There are lots of positives, but it does feel like a defeat because we were in a comfortable position in the game.”
On the new system...
“We’ve only worked on it for a week, so I understand you’ve got to be patient with that. Like anything, it does take time to work in, it is something we will be working on between now and the end of the season.
“The players are going to have to work out whether they can take on board what they need to do. I know the system will work: I’m absolutely convinced of it, based on the last six months and everything I’ve seen so far.
“We need to be a little bit smarter at times, and that comes from working hard at the training ground. Rome isn’t built in a day: I don’t expect them to be absolutely pitch perfect from the off.”
On Ashley Nadesan’s return...
“He was a real bright spark for us. It was a great pull-back for Paddy Madden’s goal. As I said to him, he comes back as a first-team player, not the young boy that went out on loan. He will grow and grow and grow.
“He’s been a little bit tired this week due to the demands but I thought he was excellent until that fatigue started catching up with him. I’m really pleased for him and hopefully if he keeps listening and applying himself, the goals will come soon.”
On Paddy Madden’s 50th appearance...
“Everything Paddy does – his work rate, his attitude – is top class. He’s been a delight to work with; he takes everything on board and he’s a real team player.
“Everyone else will just see his goals, but we see all the unselfish work he does to create those goals.”