Joey Barton: Short trip to Crewe is miles better for Fleetwood after long hauls

Joey Barton says the famous Fleetwood 'wind machine' played its part in Danny Andrew's wonder goal against Wigan

Fixture changes and changes up front for Joey Barton and Fleetwood Town

Fleetwood have clocked up the miles lately, with trips to Swindon Town and Portsmouth in the space of four days.

Saturday’s journey to the Alexandra Stadium may be easier but the match won’t be as 10th-placed Town face a side who sit one position and one point above them.

Fleetwood are renowned for their form at Highbury but Crewe have an even better home record .

Barton is looking forward to the game but already has his eyes on the transfer window and maintaining the strength of the squad.

Town’s head coach said: “It’s a local fixture. We don’t have to sit on a coach for six hours like we did for Portsmouth. Some of the boys got home at 4 or 5am and Swindon was a big haul as well.

“That was a tough week and I’m really disappointed for the lads because with their effort and application it could have been a seven-point week, with three clean sheets on the spin.”

Hopes of that were dashed by Wigan Athletic’s late equaliser at Fleetwood last Saturday but Barton added: “It’s not as glossy as that with five points from nine but we’ve been to some tough places. To get through those three games unbeaten is testament to the lads we’ve got.

“This season is going to go down to the wire but you’ll see the big clubs invest again in January, shuffle the decks and add a bit of quality, certainly when you see some young managerial appointments being made.

“We’ve just got to make sure we don’t get worse.”

Town return to Highbury against Doncaster Rovers next Tuesday night, when Barton hopes the elements are again in their favour.

Left-back Danny Andrew scored Town’s goal from range against Wigan with a stunning low drive, arrowing the ball into the bottom right corner.

Barton felt the elements had a big part to play in the both halves of the game. He said: “It was a superb goal from Danny Andrew and that’s the benefit of the Fleetwood wind.

“It’s a hell of a strike by Dan. I think Paddy (Madden) will get the assist but I think Mother Nature might want to make a claim for that.

“Then in the second half because of the conditions you knew you’d be camped in and would have to do the basics superbly.

“And I thought that for a large part we did but credit to Wigan.”

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