Fleetwood Town head coach wants to see a more clinical edge

Josh Morris scored the winning goal against Port Vale in midweek Picture: Kipax/PRiME Media Images Limited

Goals from Paddy Madden and Josh Morris saw the Cod Army into the next stage, where they host Everton next Wednesday, September 23, live on Sky Sports.

“My hair has gone a little bit greyer than it probably should have been,” joked Barton.

“I’m just pleased to win any game, but it’s always nice when they make it easier on the coach. Unfortunately we haven’t managed to do that this season.

“We’ve got to become more clinical in front of goal because, as the challenge gets higher and higher, you could play a Premier League side in the next round and you won’t get too many of those chances.

“It’s important you put those chances away, but there was some good goalkeeping as well from their keeper. We also hit the crossbar.

“We’re creating the chances, but we just want them to be a little bit more ruthless.”

Barton’s side narrowly missed out on a memorable promotion to the Championship last season, but his charges have started this campaign in style with four successive victories.

However, Town have conceded in each of those games and looked like being taken the distance by the Valiants, opponents who were defending their best unbeaten record for 19 years.

“It’s sometimes the case when you’ve hit the bar like we did in the play-offs last year, you have a hangover,” admitted Barton.

“But knowing the character of the group you expect them to respond in the correct manner.

“We’ve got a really good, tough fixture against Peterborough on Saturday, away from home, who are a side that will be there or thereabouts because of their qualities.

“But we go there full of confidence looking to get another three points on the board.”

Despite a promising start, Barton is hungry to bolster his squad with new signings.

“I still think we’re four or five players short,” he stressed.

“Hopefully we can start progressing those targets and then we’re sitting here looking at a really good squad, who can certainly do exciting things for this club.

“We don’t have a great deal of numbers. We’ve got Mark Duffy who is one senior player who could possibly come in, but then we’re into a lot of young lads.”