“We are absolutely miles away” - Joey Barton disappointed by Bristol Rovers performance after FGR defeat

Joey Barton has criticised his team’s performance against Forest Green Rovers.

Bristol Rovers fell to defeat at the hands of Forest Green Rovers as they travelled to Gloucestershire yesterday afternoon.

The hosts put early pressure on Joey Barton’s side and it paid off halfway through the first half as captain Jamille Matt slotted home a low effort to put them 1-0 up.

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The Gas had chances to get back into the game and were handed a lifeline when Udoka Godwin-Malife was dismissed on the hour mark for a foul on Nick Anderton, however the visitors were unable to capitalise and were eventually punished by a penalty that allowed Jamille Matt to double both his goal tally and FGR’s lead.

Joey Barton certainly didn’t shy away from criticism at full-time and made his disappointment clear after his side’s first League Two defeat in over a month.

Speaking to Official BRFC TV’s Youtube Channel, Barton said: "We are miles away -absolutely miles away.

"Our results over the last period have picked up but we’ve got to be miles better than we were today. We didn’t play as well as we could have in the first period.

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"Second half, we had a chance but unfortunately it just wasn’t our day today.”

The Gas seemed to take the advantage as they pushed for the equaliser and their opponents were reduced to ten men, however it was an Antony Evans handball in the box that snatched the opportunity from their grasp - a decision that Barton has since contested.

The former Manchester City midfielder said: "We weren’t good enough in the first half. We started the second half brightly. They got reduced to 10 and rightly so and then Josh Grant is there to clear but gets injured and, obviously, the cross comes in.

"The referee made a mistake. It looks like the handball was outside the box. If it is a penalty, the contact is outside the box but couldn’t wait to give it.

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"But anyway, that’s football. We’re a tad unfortunate with the injury and it’s compounded by the fact they’ve got a penalty and then 2-0 makes it one hell of a mountain to climb.

"At 1-0 and down to ten men I thought we could at least take something out of the game, but sometimes you need a little bit of luck."

The loss leaves Bristol Rovers 16th in the league and without a win in three, while FGR remain top of the League Two table.

Barton will now switch his focus to the FA Cup as they host Sutton United next weekend, before a league clash with Port Vale the following Tuesday.

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When asked if there was any positives to take into the cup tie, Barton wasn’t pulling any punches and replied: "Absolutely nothing.

“We’ve got to dust ourselves down and then we’ve got the distraction of the FA Cup and a home game but we’ve got to be miles better in every single department.”

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