Joey Barton reacts to Bristol Rovers stunning win - and influence of his priceless captain

Joey Barton has leapt praise on Bristol Rovers captain Paul Coutts for how he conducted himself in their 3-1 win over Port Vale.

The Gas claimed a vital three points at Vale Park as they strengthened their grip on a League Two play-off spot whilst also remaining in the mix for an automatic spot.

After falling behind to Jamie Proctor’s first-minute strike, Rovers bounced back as Elliot Anderson equalised, then went in front through James Connolly, before Ryan Loft scored his first goal in second-half stoppage time.

Playing a part in Anderson’s equaliser was Coutts who played a sublime ball to the Newcastle United man to get his side back on level terms.

Coutts not only delivered an assist but put in an assertive display in the centre of the park, guiding the younger players through an important match.

“He feels as fit as he has ever felt,” said Barton to BBC Radio Bristol in his post-match press conference.

“He is finding that new lease of life. As the challenge has gone up, the intensity and the pressure, it suits Couttsy.

“He has the ability to slow down, find space and calmness in the midst of the chaos sometimes. It’s a real special quality and that is what he does on the pitch.

He added: “Everything he does off the pitch is ten times that. I couldn’t put a price on the captain we have managed to recruit.

“He has been superb, his performances, certainly in the last period when the pressure has gone up have got better and better, I thought he was outstanding.”

After falling a goal behind against what was a packed-out crowd in Staffordshire in what was a bizarre goal, heads could have dropped in a moment where cool heads were needed.

Port Vale were on a tremendous run of form coming into the game and had won their last five straight matches before kick-off.

They were one of the most in-form teams and today’s result was just their second in 15 matches, but Rovers themselves were on a good run.

And the Rovers manager was delighted with the reaction his side gave given the circumstances of how the game started and the other factors that came into play.

Barton said: “It’s the character of our team. We go a goal down in a big game, relative to what we are doing, in a hostile environment.

“To manage the first half like they did to not only climb the canvas but to get themselves in the ascendency.

“I challenged the lads at half-time, it’s not about hanging on to a 2-1 lead. We had to be smart and calculated. We need to win the second half and credit to the lads, they’ve won the first-half 2-1 and the second half 1-0 and I can’t ask anymore.

“They’ve got a passionate fan base that were right after us in the opening gambit. They got themselves in the ascendency.

“I did feel that they scored too early. We were much the better side and I felt when we played them at our place, even though they beat us and we had nine men.”