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Fans slam Joey Barton’s bizarre claims in viral post-match interview

Fans have decided to slam Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton’s bizarre claims in a post-match interview which went viral on Saturday.

The ex-Newcastle player was left frustrated again by the referee after his side were beaten 1-0 by Sunderland, continuing the miserable run of form.

Aiden O’Brien saw his volley from a corner six minutes before half-time was the difference, with the Gas two points from safety in the League One table with eight matches left, having played more games than most of their relegation rivals.

Barton felt his side played well and saw some good things despite defeat – which was Bristol Rovers’ fourth on the bounce – however reckons they should have had a penalty in the closing moments.

Striker Brandon Hanlan collided with Luke O’Nien in the Sunderland box in stoppage time.

Instead of handing a penalty, the referee Ollie Yates ruled in the Black Cats’ favour, leaving Barton furious, making sure his feelings on the decision was known when mouthing off to the official as players made their way down the tunnel.

“Obviously there’s disappointment in losing and not picking up any points in another game, but there were lots of pleasing things that we can take moving forward,” Barton said.

“With a bit of better refereeing and with referees making the correct calls we probably would’ve drawn the game because we’ve had a stonewall penalty, which for some odd reason was given as a free-kick to them.

“Obviously there’s disappointment in losing and not picking up any points in another game, but there were lots of pleasing things that we can take moving forward,” Barton said.

“With a bit of better refereeing and with referees making the correct calls we probably would’ve drawn the game because we’ve had a stonewall penalty, which for some odd reason was given as a free-kick to them.

“Today, we’ve had a penalty given as a free-kick for them, which has cost us another point so, what can I do? I want to say to you how I really feel, but that will get me suspended and fined because they come down on you like a tonne of bricks.

“They’re making poor decisions and are costing us four points this week. Nothing will be done “though, they’ll go back to their jobs on Monday, but it really is destroying the game.

“It’s soul-destroying, you work hard all week for your team to have the best chance of performing and then officials aren’t able to officiate correctly and cost you key points at pivotal moments.”

Watch what he had to say below…

Barton has often complained about officials for a variety of reasons in the last few weeks, pointing to poor decisions and fitness levels.

At full time, Barton told supporters he is doing all he can to get it right at Rovers, however blames poor recruitment from previous managers at the club in making it difficult for him.

“George just got overly tight and again we’re having to teach them the basics of defending,” the manager said.

“We can’t keep giving goals away in the manner we are, especially in the first period before that goal.

“We have a very good Sunderland side virtually nothing. But at this moment in time the front lads just aren’t putting the ball away or creating enough chances.

“If they are creating enough chances, they’re snatching at them, which is a confidence issue and we can’t do anything for them on the training pitch. That’s a case of settling down and becoming the footballer that everyone believes you can be.

“We’ve got some good signs in there but you know, you live and die on you if recruitment. No matter how good of a coach I am and I think I’m at a level where I can certainly get out of League One, I came in February-time and you’re trying to get the best out of other peoples’ players and that’s the reality.

“They’re our players now but they’ve been other peoples’ signings for a while and you’ve got to try to figure out the strengths and weaknesses.

“The only way you find that out is by playing them. Some enhance their case and obviously some don’t show you what you’re looking for.

“But I thought there were lots of pleasing signs that we can take into the next eight games to try and fire ourselves to safety.

“We’re right in the mix, we’re not cut adrift. We’ve got winnable games in the fixture list but we’re not doing well at the minute, having lost four games on the spin which I think is the first time I’ve ever experienced this in my managerial career.”

Another moment was when the Bristol Rovers manager was asked about his relationship with the Sunderland fans ahead of the game.

“There’s a real healthy rivalry between the two clubs,” Barton said. “I didn’t realise it was as passionate as it was until I signed for Newcastle, and you realise it goes a long way back into the history of the local area and there’s a lot of local pride at stake.

“I’m someone who’s always been very vocal about what I feel about Newcastle United as a football club, what I felt about Newcastle as a town. I love the area and the people and still enjoy going back up there at every opportunity.

“The flip side of that is Sunderland’s rivalry with them – they don’t like me and they’ve made that clear every time I’ve played and managed there.

“You can tell by the way they’ve celebrated last-minute equalisers. They haven’t beaten me yet and they’ll be licking their chops and thinking this is time we can put one across Barton because he’s got a side near the bottom of the table and they’ll be expecting to turn up and do us five, six, seven, eight nine-nil, the Sunderland fans.

“And if they don’t Lee Johnson is under pressure because they’ll want my head on a platter.

“That’s part of it, that’s what we do – you’ve got to love ‘noising’ the fans up, especially when they’re trying to do it to you. You’ve got to use the camaraderie to drive performance.

“But, deep down, I think there’s a side to them that secretly does like me and they would one day probably want me to manage Sunderland. But they just can’t say that out loud because they know I’d reject them.

“As much as they want me, I could never do it because my heart is black and white. I love Newcastle.”

Fans slam Joey Barton’s bizarre claims in the viral post-match interview, see what was tweeted…

@jacobcunliffe10: This man cannot take a loss holy fuck

@mattbriggs86: Conspiracy theories

@SAFCLJ2: STOP CRYING YOUR HEART OUT

@Marcosplace: How many times will he blame the officials and avoid taking responsibility?

@DavidHindmarsh7: Stonewall penalty?? What’s he on about 😂

@Ab21Jamie: This is the greatest video ever. There are conspiracy theories against his team? Brilliant

@AL_SNR58: Typical @Joey7Barton blaming everybody but himself. It was never a penalty. Wyke was fouled all afternoon and got nothing from the referee

@lothian121: The refs in League 1 are atrocious for everybody Joey – you just have to suck it up like the rest of us!

@miami_sun: Hahah stonewall… deluded

@Dan190984: Stonewaller?????? WTF?

@Rollie3333: It wasn’t a penalty at all Jimmy

@KeillorP: Remember he’s a scouser so everybody else is at fault.

@Steven62114960: Never seen a pen given for the defender winning the ball with his HEAD then colliding with a bloke racing in. But then I didnt stub a cigar out in the eye of a young lad.

@krsafc: Haha @Joey7Barton stop ye crying cigar stamping prick #gobshite

@joe_112233: That mention of Wyke is embarrassing. Praises two young kids that have adjusted from non league then feels it necessary to point out we paid a fee for the leagues 2nd highest goalscorer, what a knob

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