JOEY Barton’s touchline ban will make little difference to Fleetwood Town tomorrow, according to Oxford United boss Karl Robinson.
The rookie manager was hit with the two-game sanction after being sent to the stands against Bristol Rovers last month.
Robinson, who has known Barton since they were teenagers, has been in the same situation several times in his career.
And the U’s boss does not think it puts the hosts at a disadvantage, particularly given the relatively small stands at Highbury.
“You don’t get many grounds where you’re that close – I wouldn’t put it past Joey to still be right behind the dugout,” Robinson said.
“It has a little impact, but you’re talking very small percentages.”
He added: “People will say he’ll learn from it, but there’s no chance.
“The emotion of the game is what it is and you’re never going to lose it.”
Of more consequence is the Cod Army’s loss of Ched Evans, who is also serving a two-game ban from the Rovers clash, this time for using abusive and/or insulting words to the referee.
The striker has ten goals this season, including the opener in Fleetwood’s 2-0 win at the Kassam Stadium last August.
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