Joey Barton hails ‘excellent’ Fleetwood display at AFC Wimbledon

Posted Wednesday, January 23, 2019 by PA

Manager Joey Barton felt Fleetwood’s display against AFC Wimbledon was just what the doctor ordered as they secured a 3-0 win against League One’s bottom club.

Ched Evans bagged a first-half brace before Ashley Hunter completed the scoring on a freezing night at Kingsmeadow.

Despite having one of the most exciting attacking line-ups in the division, Fleetwood have struggled at times this season to score goals, so the combination play between Evans, Paddy Madden and Wes Burns was especially pleasing to the former Manchester City midfielder, with the latter receiving the most glowing praise.

Barton said: “I thought we were excellent, and we were probably a shade unfortunate to not at least score another couple of goals in the game. Ched had a few chances with a one on one and so did Paddy (Madden) and Ashley Nadesan.

“Wimbledon isn’t an easy place to come and they are fighting for their lives. They have already beaten us twice already this season and to perform in the manner that we did, with a clinical manner, it was very pleasing.

“Our front three were magnificent today and I have to say it was a real team performance and to win 3-0 away from home is always pleasing.

“Wes has been fantastic since I have been at the club and he can play in a multiple of positions for us and his performances have been admirable. He’s an intelligent player and when asked to do a job, he did an excellent job and did great going forward, and defensively.

“We mixed it up upfront and it’s always nice to see someone come in after a few games out and get back on the scoresheet, and it was probably good for him to get the frustration out with those goals.”

The result takes the Lancashire outfit up to eighth, eight points adrift of sixth-placed Peterborough.

Barton was keen to be cautious about the hopes of making the play-offs.

He added: “When we came into the match we hadn’t won in four, but were unbeaten in three of those matches. It is a weird league this season and we have seen the league leaders drop points but we just have to take it one game at a time.

“I have spoken before about people being patient and people working hard. There was a watershed moment after the last Wimbledon game where we decided to play a certain way, and it’s early days with that but we are controlling the possession and with the second and third phases of the match.

“It’s all down to hard work on the training ground and the players deserve a huge amount of credit.”