Fleetwood manager Joey Barton has hinted at attacking changes for their next game, clearing the way for Paddy Madden and Ashley Hunter to start.

Fleetwood come into their next fixture sitting in sixth place and three points off the automatic promotion places, with a home fixture against Burton on Saturday. Joey Barton has addressed some lingering team news questions and suggested that there may be changes afoot.

In Fleetwood’s last outing against Ipswich over a week ago, both Madden and Hunter started on the bench and were introduced in the second half, failing to stop a defeat to the table-topping Tractor Boys. 

Paddy Madden was Fleetwood’s top scorer last campaign and Ashley Hunter was a regular fixture of the team that season, scoring eight and assisting 11.

While Fleetwood haven’t struggled at either end of the pitch, Barton feels the attacking pair have done enough in recent weeks to deserve a place in the starting 11. With Madden having not started in over a month and Hunter since August, they both will be itching to show their manager what they can do from the start.

Speaking to the Blackpool Gazette, Barton had this to say: “Yes, Paddy and Ash are pushing really hard and I think next time out they have earned an opportunity.

“We have given a couple of lads a run when they haven’t been at the level we know they can get to, and when you get Madden and Hunter pushing hard at some point you have to give them a go.

“So the next few weeks are going to be massive for a couple of players.

“What has been seen as a strong start to the season for the club, for us as a group has only been OK.”

With this in mind, it suggests not only Madden and Hunter will be given big opportunities to shine in the coming weeks. Barton is keen to experiment with the depth of his squad and willing to put his faith in a range of players.

The Verdict

It is positive to see two clearly talented players getting given a chance to showcase their talent, despite not yet performing to their own standards of late. Madden and Hunter will be very keen to make a telling impact in the coming weeks, with Barton seemingly showing patience in the duo and backing his squad depth to get him results when he does change things up.