Joey Barton: Fleetwood Town players can learn a lot from play-off defeat

Joey Barton wants Fleetwood Town’s play-off semi-final defeat to Wycombe Wanderers to be a valuable learning curve as they bid to be even stronger next season.
Joey Barton reflected upon play-off defeat to Wycombe WanderersJoey Barton reflected upon play-off defeat to Wycombe Wanderers
Joey Barton reflected upon play-off defeat to Wycombe Wanderers

The head coach believed his squad faced a massive test of character in the second leg at Adams Park after their 4-1 home defeat – and they passed it with flying colours, twice leading before the rematch ended 2-2.

Barton said: “It’s the first time we’ve been in this situation as a group. I think that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and this performance showed me a lot about our character.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There were lots of building blocks we can utilise to move forward and try to be better again next season.

“It’s part of our learning. We had some young players in there, who were kindly loaned to us by Premier League clubs, and that’s what they came here for – to experience that, to experience the build-up to these kinds of games and to play football in the right way.

“There’s huge promise going into next season and the main thing is the character of the group. We have a lot of lads who will still be here next year and to show that kind of character....”

Barton singled out keeper Alex Cairns, who didn’t allow his first-leg mistakes to prey on his mind at Wycombe.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Alex Cairns had to climb off the canvas there and put in a big performance. I thought he performed superbly,” Barton said.

“If you have any doubts about your group, it’s after you’ve had a bit of a pumping at home and you are asked to respond three days later with virtually the same team. I thought the response is everything I look for as a coach.”

Although it is Wycombe who will contest tonight’s Wembley final against Oxford United, Barton feels he has learned from the play-off experience too.

He added: “I think also (it’s beneficial) for our players to see how I’m reacting to the disappointment because I’m a young manager, I’m a baby.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I can deal with losing football matches – I’ve lost lots in my career – but that level of performance, intensity, players wanting to win games of football for the club, it’s rare in our game and it’s not easy to get.

“We’ve captured it and now we need to harness it, stamp out individual errors and we’ll be back, bigger, stronger, better, next season.”