Joey Barton admires Fleetwood’s battling qualities - 7M sport

Joey Barton admires Fleetwood’s battling qualities



Posted Sunday, December 15, 2019 by PA

Joey Barton admires Fleetwood’s battling qualities

Fleetwood boss Joey Barton saluted his side’s battling qualities after they drew 1-1 at home against resilient Gillingham.

The hosts were on top for large parts of the game, but were pegged back late on after Paddy Madden’s 56th-minute opener in dreadful blustery conditions.

Despite substitute Alex Jakubiak’s late goal robbing the Cod Army of victory, Barton was pleased his side’s efforts.

Barton said: “You have to give Gillingham some credit because they kept going and kept going, but we feel like it’s definitely two points lost.

“You could see by the way Gillingham were wasting time from virtually the kick-off that that was a very good point for them.

“We’re disappointed of course, but on the whole our home form – certainly this calendar year – has been superb.

“All the lads have been superb.

“We need to now start showing that on the road because we’ve got two tough examinations on the road in front of us now, at Rotherham and Rochdale.

“They’re all tough games in this division, and they start coming thick and fast now, and that’s just how we like it.

“It was nice to see a different side to my lads today too.

“They stood really well to the physicality and direct approach we were expecting from Gillingham.”

Barry Fuller side-footed an early effort over the top for Gillingham, while Fleetwood replied with Wes Burns flashing a cross-shot narrowly off target.

In the 34th minute Fleetwood missed a great chance when Burns planted a header wide from a great position.

Fleetwood struck in the 56th minute when Josh Morris crossed in low from the left, and Madden was perfectly placed to slot home from eight yards.

Jakubiak equalised superbly with eight minutes to go, controlling well before curling right-footed past Billy Crellin from 18 yards.

Gills boss Steve Evans clearly felt his side deserved more on the day.

He said: “To be honest I think we’ve left two points here.

“We shouldn’t have made a mistake like we did for their goal, and Fleetwood had a bit of luck in the run-up to it.

“We knew it would be difficult here, though, and it was difficult conditions throughout.”

Evans saluted Jakubiak, a player he feels is capable of more terrific goals.

“We know all about Alex and what he can do,” added Evans.

“We don’t see it quite enough, though.

“He has worked hard to stake a claim to a starting place, though, and that goal won’t do him any harm.

“He really made a difference when he came on. It’s just unfortunate a winner didn’t come for us.”

Tag:


Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.