Furious Barton lambasts his players after they let lead slip
A“FURIOUS” Joey Barton did not hold back in his criticism after Bristol Rovers conceded in stoppage time against nine-man Salford City to draw 1-1 at Moor Lane on Tuesday.
Sam Nicholson put the Gas in front and red cards for Matty Willock and Ash Hunter in the closing moments of either half put Barton’s side on course for a comfortable victory.
But, five minutes into stoppagetime, Brandon Thomas-Asante escaped behind the Rovers defence and equalised, as the visitors were punished for failing to take chances to kill the game.
“I’m absolutely fuming,” Barton said. “I’m furious, if I’m honest, and we’ve got to learn those lessons because that’s Barrow away when they were down to 10 men and they equalised and tonight here.
“We were miles better than them with 11, and when they go to 10 and nine we should get the game done.
“It feels like a defeat and we’ve got to learn those lessons because that’s a game we should be coming out of here with three points.”
Barton was angered by the officials multiple times throughout the game, despite the two red cards going in Rovers’ favour, although Willock and Hunter could have no complaints after their indiscretions - a lunge and an arm to the face, respectively.
First, referee Ben Toner allowed Tom Elliott to go unpunished after catching James Belshaw’s head with his studs. Elliott later provided the assist for the equaliser.
The Rovers boss and his players were also frustrated by the time it took for a medical incident in the away end to be recognised and dealt with. The supporter was sitting up when taken from the stadium for treatment.
When the game resumed, Barton was adamant Brett Pitman was wrongly denied a winner, but he
admits Rovers should never have let the officials determine the outcome of a game they dominated.
“We’ve scored a legitimate goal at the end,” Barton said. “Brett’s a couple of yards onside and misses it. Tom Elliott, I thought he should have been dismissed. The linesman has got to put his flag up. He kicks James (Belshaw) in the head with his studs.
Meanwhile, Barton singled out on-loan winger Luke Thomas for criticism. Barton said: “We’ve had loads of chances, Luke Thomas’ probably being the best one. You’ve got to get that second goal and put teams away.”
The 22-year-old, who came on as a substitute at The Peninsula Stadium, had a clear-cut chance to make it 2-0 late on to secure victory but slid his effort the wrong side of the post. Barton told reporters afterwards: “Luke Thomas will not get a better opportunity to score a goal in professional football. He
doesn’t even hit the target, which sums up where he’s at for me
“He’s not wired in, he’s never quite right and he thinks the world owes him a favour. Unfortunately, if he doesn’t get his finger out, this opportunity at Rovers is going to pass him by. He came in with a big fanfare of the ability he could have, but constantly when trusted and given opportunities, he doesn’t maximise it.
“Again, he probably thinks the world owes him something and he’s above the level, but if you’re not sharp and you’re not wired in and you’re not fully fit and you’ve not got your body in the right space, then no matter what level of football you play, you won’t be successful.
“You’re asking him to go on the pitch. You’re telling him there is going to be space for you and you’re going to have the opportunity to kill these off and we don’t manage to do that.”
Thomas, formerly of Derby County, joined Rovers on a seasonlong loan from the Championship side after a short-lived spell with Ipswich Town last season.
When his loan at Portman Road was aborted, the player took a short time away from the game for his “physical and mental health”.
The move to the Gas has given him a platform to reinvigorate his young career, but Barton warned time is running out for Thomas to secure a place in his plans with the manager declaring “the amateur hour of Bristol Rovers is over”.
While Thomas was the only player named by Barton, his warning applied to the whole squad.
Barton added: “I’ve said to them in the dressing room, if they don’t get ship shape and sharpish, they will be leaving this building as soon as the window opens in January. We’re just not having it anymore. The amateur hour of Bristol Rovers is over.”