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Interviews

MARTIN PATERSON REACTS TO VICTORY OVER FLEETWOOD TOWN

30 December 2022

Interviews

MARTIN PATERSON REACTS TO VICTORY OVER FLEETWOOD TOWN

30 December 2022

After a second half packed with drama at Oakwell, the Reds ran out 2-1 winners against Fleetwood Town, much to the delight of Assistant Head Coach, Martin Paterson.

The Reds took the lead via an emphatic James Norwood strike from a tight angle just after the hour mark, before the visitors equalised from the spot in 77th minute via Admiral Muskwe. 

However, the Reds found a winner late on as Robbie Cundy powered a header home in front of the 'Ponty' end courtesy of a Luca Connell corner delivery.

"Yeah, we're delighted as a staff," began 'Patto'. "As a group, and as a football Club. The most important message I can give is that we found a way to win in a difficult night. 

"Being honest, and looking at the game quite cold and emotionless, first half we should have been two goals up, maybe three. They had a few looks because they're dangerous. Really difficult to play against, good team. 

"Second half, really difficult. We got a really good goal, worked it well. Then ultimately, we have a penalty against us for the second game in a row which is difficult, but the players responded with their energy and found a way to win. That just shows you the strength in this group at the moment."

The Reds came away from their Boxing Day game at Accrington Stanley feeling slightly aggrieved - despite controlling large portions of the game in Lancashire, coming away with only a point after James Norwood's early opener.

Thursday night's game almost followed an identical pattern; with Norwood grabbing the opener only for it to be cancelled out by a penalty for the opposition. This time, however, the Reds found that elusive winner to make it five wins on the spin now at Oakwell.

"I think at Accrington, you saw after the game, you come away, look at the stats, look at the shots on target, the corners and you look statistically and go 'OK, we should have won that game," he discussed. "No disrespect to Accrington, because I thought it was really tough on the night, a real tough game. A credit to them, they deserved the draw, because they got it. 

"But tonight yes very similar, but again, we learned our lessons and found a way to win. We talked about that it might be a set play to win the game and big Cundy gets up and gets the winner. It's something we work on, really hard."

After having 20 corners at Accrington, the Reds most likely felt they were due a goal from a set piece going into the game against Fleetwood.

Luca's delivery found Cundy in the area, who, for his second of the season, headed home to win the match and extend the Reds' unbeaten run to seven games. Paterson stressed that set pieces are a small facet of the game that the coaching staff at Oakwell are working on.

"Michael (Duff) is always trying to improve this team. Us as a staff, we're always trying to improve this team, in any way we can. So, nice to see a set play win a game, but again, we'll be going back to the drawing board this week to work really hard to prepare for Bolton which is a massive task."


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