Joey Barton believes Fleetwood were better team in Sunderland stalemate

Posted Sunday, September 09, 2018 by PA

Fleetwood boss Joey Barton felt that his team were the better side after holding Sunderland to a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light.

The former Newcastle midfielder received some stick from the Black Cats fans throughout the encounter, but he was left satisfied with the outcome.

Fleetwood, who took the lead when Paddy Madden headed in the opener in the ninth minute, remain in a play-off spot after securing a point but it could easily have been more.

Sunderland battled back to level when Josh Maja flicked in his fifth of the season, but Fleetwood had the chance to win it when Madden had a second-half penalty saved by Jon McLaughlin.

“I would have settled for 1-1 beforehand. I said before that thought we were the better side and anyone who watched that would have to say we had the better chances, we had the penalty,” Barton said.

“Sunderland are a good side as well, I’m not taking anything away from them. They had a 15-minute spell before the break and 10 minutes before the end. The ref was good, except when he should have sent their lad off (Adam Matthews) when he made the foul for the penalty and he was already booked.

“How many were here? 29,000? Newcastle would have got 30. I remember this club and the friendly rivalry, but Sunderland should not be in this division. It is too big in this division.

“We are a little fishing town on the west coast, we had our biggest away following today. We know where we are going and what we are building. It’s difficult to compete with clubs of the financial power of Sunderland.

“I was disappointed we didn’t put Sunderland to the sword, but I think we were the better team, any hardened Sunderland fan would admit that, but I think they will go home and say Fleetwood are a proper team, and by the way Sunderland are a proper team.”

Sunderland boss Jack Ross did not share Barton’s view but could understand why he claimed that Fleetwood could have edged it.

Ross was more concerned with the fact that his side had gone behind again, for the fifth time this season in the league, and that it had come from a set-piece.

Ross said: “Both teams could have won it, I don’t have an issue Joey saying his team could have because they won a penalty. My team hit the post, a couple of times their keeper pulled off very good saves.

“If you are entirely fair, I think both teams could have won it. I think both teams would have had justification in saying they deserved it. It was a tough game.

“We didn’t start the game poorly today, we started well. I am more concerned we have only conceded one goal from open play in the league, so if we defend set pieces better then we win some of those games.

“That’s something we have to get better at. We have to improve on how we do it. That’s everyone, players and staff.

“We have to keep repeating the same work, if we do that then I am sure we will be keeping the clean sheets. We are scoring so we have a better chance of winning.”