Fleetwood Town head coach Joey Barton spoke after his side’s 2-0 win at Barnet in the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup on Sunday.
The Cod Army’s professional performance shone throughout at The Hive, and with the two goals from Ched Evans and Ashley Hunter, they ensured Town’s name was in the hat for the Second Round draw – which will take place on Monday night.
Here are the key quotes from what Joey Barton had to say following the result:
On the game and his sides performance…
“I think it was a really good cup performance, and you know when you come away from home being the Football League side, there is a target on your back.
“We have seen Barnet beat Sheffield United last season in this competition so we knew we were in for a good cup tie and that is how it transpired. Today we got the better of it with the two goals and come out deserved winners in the end.
“We had the quality in the final third and you know after the 50-60th minute mark that our fitness would take over and that happened. Also with the strength of our bench, with [Paddy] Madden, [Wes] Burns and [Ashley] Hunter coming on, not many back fours, even those in are league, would be pleased to see them come on.”
On Ash Hunter’s first goal of the season…
“I am delighted for Ash as it hasn’t been an easy period for him. When I first came to the club, he was the best player in the side and has been a little bit off colour for his ability and standards that he sets, and recently we have seen glimpses of what he can do.
“He’s put in some good cameo appearances and is now starting to build on the foundations to get his performance levels back to where we know they can be because we know of the talents that he possesses.
“To see that moment of quality from Ash, it lights up any football game.”
On Billy Crellin’s game between the sticks…
“We want to give Billy that exposure, and he got that in a FA Cup game that was away from home. I think the Chairman [Andy Pilley] was a little bit nervous seeing a 19-year-old in goal, but we have absolute confidence in him!
“At the football club we have three really good goalkeepers, and I am pleased with Billy and with the clean sheet that he kept. If he keeps progressing at the rate that he has been, he could go right to the top.
“There’s some really good goalkeepers in the England setup and if that progression keeps coming from Billy, who knows? Hopefully he can challenge those at the top.”