Joey Barton challenges Fleetwood Town to make amends in Blackpool rematch

Just four days after the Seasiders’ 1-0 League One victory, the Fylde coast rivals reconvene at Highbury in one of this evening’s 16 ties in the second round of the Papa John’s Trophy.

Town have taken just one league point from their last three games and head coach Barton is anxious for a return to winning ways tonight.

He said of his players: “On Saturday, they have disappointed our supporter base, and luckily for them on Tuesday night they get a chance to put it right and be bang at it right from the get-go.

“Usually you have to wait five or six months, but they have the chance on Tuesday albeit this (the league game) was the game everyone wanted to win.

“We’ve now got an opportunity for lads competing for places, so Saturday was disappointing but there’s no point dwelling on it because we’ve got another derby game here on Tuesday night in the cup.”

Barton knows the bragging rights have gone Blackpool’s way after their first league victory at Highbury, but the Town boss always insists that responding to adversity is key for any successful side.

He added: “The challenge is now over to the players. They know what is expected here. They know about the local bragging rights and the pride the town of Fleetwood has when it beats a giant town like Blackpool.

“For local pride both teams were desperate to win the league fixture. For Blackpool it allowed them to get within a point of us.

“And for them to win away to a play-off team from last season, especially with how good we’ve been at home, it will be a big scalp and a big boost to their confidence.”

Barton is also anxious for his forwards to start firing on all cylinders again – a team that scored nine goals in two games last month has struggled to create any clear-cut chances in their last two outings.

“We haven’t asked their goalkeeper enough questions,” said Barton. “Two games on the spin we’ve huffed and puffed without really banging the door down.

“So we have to find a way back to how we were against Bristol Rovers and Plymouth, when we were finding a way to beat goalkeepers.

“We’re just looking forward to the next game and to winning the next game off the back of two narrow defeats. There’s no better feeling than when you win.”

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