Bristol Rovers Boss Rages At ‘Idiotic Young Boy’ During Disappointing Defeat
Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton has labelled Luke Thomas as an ‘idiotic young boy’ for his involvement in Peterborough United’s second goal yesterday during a 2-0 defeat at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Rovers had picked up seven points from a possible nine across their last three games in League One and were looking for a third-straight victory but fell short against Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough.
Archie Finn Collins put the hosts ahead with a shot from outside the penalty area which was deflected through a crowd of Bristol Rovers players but it was David Ajiboye’s finish to put the Posh two goals to the good that really peeved the former Manchester City midfielder.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Barton singled out winger Luke Thomas as the main culprit of fault in the build-up to the second goal after the 24-year-old pulled up with a suspected hamstring problem.
“Their first goal was a deflected hit that went through a crowd of bodies and our keeper had no chance.
“Then to compound it one idiotic young boy – I can’t even call him a man – has compromised the team with his behavioural standards and we find ourselves 2-0 down with a mountain to climb.
“Unless we man up – and I know you have to be careful saying that in the modern era – and absolutely eradicate these weak, feeble-minded individuals that are currently inside our unit, we won’t get promoted out of this division.”
Thomas, who was signed by Barton on a three-year contract in the summer from fellow League One rivals Barnsley, was replaced straight after the goal by Jevani Brown.
Writer’s View
This was certainly one of the most peculiar post-match interviews by a head coach in League One for a long time, although Ferguson’s rant after exiting the EFL Cup on Tuesday comes close.
You would be forgiven for believing that Barton was speaking about a player off the opposition team, not someone he signed to a long-term contract during the transfer window.
