Joey Barton calls for more purpose and end product from Fleetwood side
The Cod Army have now lost back-to-back league games after being beaten on home turf for just the second time in 13 games on Saturday.
Barton’s men had surrendered a one-goal lead in stoppage-time when beaten at Peterborough United a week before their 1-0 loss to AFC Wimbledon at Highbury.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBarton is looking for more consistency and end product from his side, adding: “I’m frustrated, similar to last week’s game at Peterborough but slightly different circumstances.
“I thought we dominated possession without any real purpose or end product. We didn’t test their goalie enough, and you know you’re facing a team that’s difficult to beat and difficult to break down.
“They came with a game-plan to frustrate us and waste time at every opportunity, which is a way of winning games, but they go back with the three points.
“I am about results and I am about winning, as a human being and as a coach.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“I have a lot of young players in the team, who wouldn’t normally be playing had we got the financial muscle. I’ve got to be patient.
“I’m absolutely certain the chairman (Andy Pilley) will get me the bodies in.
“He always supports us – he has done throughout my tenure here – and when we get them in, I think we’ll be able to give a better account of ourselves more consistently.”
Town once again sported a youthful line-up at the weekend and the knowledge they are amassing is at least one positive for Barton.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe said: “It’s good experience for the younger players. We had Danny Andrew’s shot that hit the bar – that was half a chance for us – and I think Alex Cairns made a hell of a save from the corner to keep us in the game and knocking at the door.
“There will certainly be better days at Highbury but I’m disappointed not to take something out of the game. When you play against a side that just pumps it long into the front men, you always want to pick them off.
“I wouldn’t play that way normally, but based on the personnel we’ve got I don’t want to ask people to do what they’re not necessarily comfortable doing.”