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Vital Football Legend
To beat us!!
Joey Barton wants to write himself into Fleetwood Town’s history books by becoming the first Highbury boss to beat Blackpool.
Barton watched the clubs’ last meeting at Bloomfield Road two months ago, when Town led until the 88th minute only for Gary Bowyer’s Seasiders to win 2-1. Fleetwood have never beaten their Fylde coast neighbours in five competitive meetings but will have two more opportunities in League One next season, and Barton is eyeing Blackpool’s scalp. And the big-match veteran, who has played in some of the fiercest derby duels – such as Rangers v Celtic, Newcastle v Sunderland and Blackburn v Burnley – says it is a victory he wants for both chairman Andy Pilley and the fans. The ex-midfielder is also hoping to build on the momentum built by his predecessor John Sheridan as he steered Town clear of relegation danger. Barton said: “It is about getting back on an upward trajectory. There were some difficult spells for the club but they finished really strongly, so the challenge is to build on that momentum. “Hopefully we have a team that everyone in the local area and beyond will be very proud of and that will beat Blackpool. “I know that is one of Andy’s primary motives, so I’m looking forward to pitting my wits against Gary Bowyer and hopefully giving Town that first victory against Blackpool because I know how much of a big deal it is. “To be part of a coaching staff that achieves that would be great because you go down in history.”
Joey Barton wants to write himself into Fleetwood Town’s history books by becoming the first Highbury boss to beat Blackpool.
Barton watched the clubs’ last meeting at Bloomfield Road two months ago, when Town led until the 88th minute only for Gary Bowyer’s Seasiders to win 2-1. Fleetwood have never beaten their Fylde coast neighbours in five competitive meetings but will have two more opportunities in League One next season, and Barton is eyeing Blackpool’s scalp. And the big-match veteran, who has played in some of the fiercest derby duels – such as Rangers v Celtic, Newcastle v Sunderland and Blackburn v Burnley – says it is a victory he wants for both chairman Andy Pilley and the fans. The ex-midfielder is also hoping to build on the momentum built by his predecessor John Sheridan as he steered Town clear of relegation danger. Barton said: “It is about getting back on an upward trajectory. There were some difficult spells for the club but they finished really strongly, so the challenge is to build on that momentum. “Hopefully we have a team that everyone in the local area and beyond will be very proud of and that will beat Blackpool. “I know that is one of Andy’s primary motives, so I’m looking forward to pitting my wits against Gary Bowyer and hopefully giving Town that first victory against Blackpool because I know how much of a big deal it is. “To be part of a coaching staff that achieves that would be great because you go down in history.”
