Fleetwood Town boss Joey Barton adds his voice to those supporting a return to football

Joey Barton supports his Fleetwood Town chairman Andy Pilley’s view that the season should be completed on the field as soon as it is safe, adding that some return to normality is vital for players’ mental health.
Fleetwood Town owner Andy Pilley and head coach Joey BartonFleetwood Town owner Andy Pilley and head coach Joey Barton
Fleetwood Town owner Andy Pilley and head coach Joey Barton

The League One clubs will meet on Monday in a bid to decide a way forward, after League Two clubs agreed to play no further league games and finalise the table using points-per-game averages.

Fleetwood are among six League One clubs spearheading a campaign to play on and owner Pilley tweeted: “Sporting integrity is of paramount importance. We cannot accept ppg or any other conclusion without giving it our best shot in a safe environment.”

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Head coach Barton agrees but also stressed the player welfare issue.

He tweeted: “What about the players/people that need their routine, need their training, need their friendships, need their football and football family for mental health reasons?

“We have to get back to normal. Many people need their routines for their mental health.

“Covid-19 isn’t the only health issue here to contend with. If it’s safe we, like many others,have to get back to normality.

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“In my opinion, whether it’s in the next six weeks or six months away, we pick up where it was left.”

Barton also responded to Premier League stars Troy Deeney and Glenn Murray, who have questioned the return to action.

Watford’s Deeney has voiced his opposition to ‘Project Restart’, while fellow forward Murray of Brighton also has reservations.

Barton added: “Glenn Murray and Troy Deeney are in a relegation scrap. If they don’t want to play, I understand it. Don’t play then. Stay at home.

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“There will be a lot of young players at Brighton/Watford, desperate for an opportunity and who will fight to save their respective clubs.

“Competitors don’t want to be given anything. They want to earn it.

“In my opinion, the only players/clubs who don’t want to go back are the ones with either a relegation battle they want to avoid or nothing to play for.”

Murray has responded to Barton, insisting he has not called for the season to be voided and pointing out that high-profile players including Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling have expressed concerns over a return to action.

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The six clubs pressing for League One to be played to a conclusion are the four, including Fleetwood, who currently occupy the play-off positions, plus Sunderland (in seventh) and Ipswich Town (10th).

Peterborough United (sixth) would lose their play-off place to Wycombe Wanderers if the PPG method was applied and Sunderland would also miss out.

The EFL said of the League One situation: “It was acknowledged that the need to find innovative and creative solutions was of paramount importance as was the need for decisions to be taken quickly.”

League Two still hopes to promote clubs to League One via promotion and play-offs.