Joey Barton says young Bristol Rovers team ‘moving in the right direction’

Posted Saturday, April 08, 2023 by PA

Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton heaped praise on his young side and an improving defence as the Pirates finally won at the Memorial Stadium after eight games.

The hosts edged to a 1-0 win against Charlton to record a first league double over the Addicks since 1957/58, with a victory built on restricting the opposition’s chances.

Dean Holden’s men had scored six goals in their previous fixture but they were unable to find a breakthrough against Rovers, for whom a 71st-minute penalty from substitute John Marquis – his third goal of the season against Charlton after two at the Valley last December – was enough to secure the points.

“The second goal was just the one thing we were short of to make the last five or 10 minutes more comfortable,” said Barton of his team’s display.

“It was a really good performance from the boys. They’re [Charlton] a good side and have been on a good run. It’s nice to get back to winning ways at home.

“We’ve had three weeks between games and they were full of confidence… and when they have their tails up like that, the danger is they catch us cold. It was about us keeping it tight.

“The first 15 minutes I was most worried about, about us not having any rhythm, but the lads were superb,” added Barton, who went on to compliment his backline.

The Rovers defence is one of the youngest in League One with Lewis Gordon 22 years old, James Connolly 21, Lewis Gibson 22, and Luca Hoole just 20.

“It’s a young team. We’re moving in the right direction,” said Barton.

“You won’t see as young a back line in League One and probably not in League Two, and it’s very rare to see that across the back line.

“Young players go through spells. We haven’t had a senior player to see them through but we’ve gone a different route.”

Charlton boss Holden, whose team were chasing a fourth win in five games, was left to rue his side not making the most of facing an out-of-form Rovers.

“I’m disappointed that our run has come to an end. A draw was probably a fair result,” said Holden.

“Ash [Maynard-Brewer] has had one big save to make in the first half, other than that he’s not had loads to do and we’ve not had as many chances as we’d have liked.

“We found it difficult to maintain those waves of attack today.

The turning point was Addicks captain George Dobson being penalised for a second-half handball that stopped Rovers’ Lamare Bogarde’s burst into the penalty area, with Marquis netting the resulting spot-kick.

“We’ve lost to a penalty, no arguments against that. The rule as it is, he’s not meant to handball it. His arm is outstretched so no complaints,” said Holden.