Accrington Stanley v BRFC Match Day Thread (Sat 14.1.23)

A week of results and opportunities lost for Mr Barton to reflect on.

Has Barton walked out?

So.the ploy of playing a " weaker" team in the cup game never really worked, where is he coming from....or going to more like ,?

He did, he just moved to the end of the pitch nearest to the tunnel to watch the last 10 minutes - presumably wanted to get a different perspective than from the dugout.  He was on the pitch with the players at the end of the game, acknowledging the travelling fans. 

Don’t panic, we’re eighth. We’ve got a manager who mid season has reset the ambition from survival to play offs. It requires an ambitious January but we’re not there yet. We probably won’t make the playoffs but it’s a free hit and there will be bumps along the way

Joey Barton says poor referee and 'blatant' handball cost Bristol Rovers dearly at Accrington..

Joey Barton believes Bristol Rovers were "hampered" by a poor refereeing performance at Accrington Stanley, with the hosts' opener in a 2-0 defeat at the Wham Stadium the produce of a "blatant" handball.

In a game short of quality, Accrington scored early in the second half through Tommy Leigh and referee Tom Nield allowed it to stand despite the ball clearly striking the hand of Harvey Rodgers immediately before substitute Leigh hit the back of the net.

In wet and windy conditions and with neither side finding a consistent flow, it was always likely to prove decisive and the Gas could not make any inroads at the other end, with Ryan Astley's clever flick sealing the three points with 11 minutes to play.

Barton says Mr Nield's decision to allow Leigh's 51st-minute goal swung the game in Accrington's favour.

"I could see it from where I was and he’s seen it himself. He knows," Barton said of the handball decision.

"I’ve got to be careful here as the FA love fining me, but our fans have paid a right few quid to get up here and then the referee swings the contest with as blatant a handball leading to a goal that you are ever likely to see in professional football.

"A tough afternoon. We must be better as well, we’re back to the drawing board, we need some players in and we’ve got a bit of work to do in the market.

"There are 57 points for us to play for and hopefully we can get competent officials who know the laws of the game. He’s just had the law book out to me saying the handball in the box, because it wasn’t deliberate and because he wasn’t the one that scored the goal, that’s OK.

"Well, why would we not advise our players then to handle it to each other and let’s have a game of volleyball or basketball? The reason it is called football is because you are not allowed to use your hands.

"He will sail off now into the unaccountable sunset of being a referee having short-changed the fans here of what was a fair contest. Accrington won’t care because they are fighting for their lives, but our fans have been short-changed today by a really bad officiating team"

Rovers remained in eighth despite the defeat, with many of their rivals for the final play-off place also suffering losses.

In the final 10 minutes with his team losing, Barton made his way away from the technical area down the touchline.

He explained why he did not hang around, saying: "I’d just had enough. I thought ‘If I stay here, I’m asking for every decision, I’m not getting heard, I’ll end up swearing and they will end up sending me off’ because they were desperate to book me and send me off.

"I thought if we are going to be treated this way by officials, I don’t want any part of the game. It’s just going to be moaning at the fourth official, who hasn’t got any clout at all and that leads to him calling the referee over and he gets after you.

"We’ve been severely hampered today by the officiating team. They have swung the game to Accrington."

Agree with all that.
But the best part of the afternoon for me, was wandering round the town before the game, looking at the many memorials to the Accrington Pals.
The town is full of them; they certainly haven`t forgotten.

When Rovers win, Barton can take the plaudits. I don't have a problem with that.
But when Rovers lose... It wasn't his fault in any way. Not in any small portion. Nothing to do with him. Because, it never is.
Rovers lost. Therefore we was robbed. Got it. 

To redress this, when Barton was Fleetwood gaffer, they were horrible too and masters of time wasting. Maybe his reputation precedes him ? Many are making excuses about Thomas and i think that is poor as we have more than one player on the field. Barton walking off shows he still has his demons, maybe he did well to do so ifhe felt triggered. 
I am more concerned that Wael has not been to a game in 3 months and i believe an appearance would be a lift to many. It leads to too much being thought of this. Just hoping we do get some players in and get back to playing as we can, Accrington have been a bogey team, like Wrexham used to be. Personally i would have been happy with a draw, up there. 
On we go, let’s see what the next week and match brings. My gut says something is not as iot should be and i hope i am wrong