Fleetwood Town head coach Joey Barton is delighted after his side came from behind to beat Rochdale 2-1 at Highbury Stadium.
Barton – whose side’s home unbeaten record now goes back to February – saw his men go a goal behind early in the first half after Rekeil Pyke’s close range effort sneaked past Alex Cairns. Town reacted well to the goal and midway through the half, Danny Andrew netted his second of the season after Wes Burns’ cross.
The home side left it left and with the head coach making changes, it was Ched Evans to head home the winner right at the death. A goal which meant a lot to all concerned inside Highbury.
Joey Barton spoke to the media after the match, and here is what he had to say:
On the game…
“I thought we were superb once again! We just have to realise that during spells in the game, where the opposition come into it, that it will be difficult and at times it can be tough to dominate the game for 90 minutes. We are starting to get into that 60-70th minute mark where we are in control, but sometimes you just need to find a way to win!
“We’d like to keep more clean sheets but I do think we were superb, especially with the substitutes coming on and having an impact on the game. Last season we might draw them types of games and it’s part of our learning with this group. I still don’t think we are anywhere near the level where I know we can play, and that means things need to be altered. Today was a real squad effort and there is lots to be pleased about from our perspective.
“We sit 4th in the league table after nine games and I think the style of play that we are playing, the fans believe in the team and believe that the team will always go and get another goal. What was labelled last year was our response to going a goal behind, but this year they have answered the questions. That shows character and desire!
On the first goal and change in shape…
“It’s nice when your two wing backs combine, and even though we didn’t start that way, I was toying with the idea of changing to a back three as I thought that would cause them problems and because we’ve been playing well, it’s hard to change the back four.
“I didn’t want all the hard work in pre-season and what has happened at the start of the season to affect us by changing shape to a team lower in the table than us, but when we changed it we were dominate and one side who was going to win that game!”
On the impact of the substitutes…
“It’s a squad effort and with Paddy Madden and Ash Hunter, as well as a lot of the other lads, they were disappointed not to be in the starting XI, because there is nothing better than training in the week and playing in a successful side.
“Those players know it’s a squad effort and everybody will contribute over the course of the year whether it be 30 minutes at the back end of the game like today with Ash and Paddy, or the 90 minutes at the start.
“If we are to be successful and get out of this division, we need everybody to be playing their role when called upon and to this point they’ve all been superb.”