JOEY Barton was no stranger to picking fights as a player.

And the Fleetwood boss verbally squared up to Phil Parkinson this week over the Ched Evans saga.

The former Bantams chief made a deadline-day move for the Cod Army’s on-loan Welshman – but it was blocked by the League One club.

Recap on City's last game against Fleetwood

Fleetwood refused to sign an agreement to terminate the Sheffield United striker’s loan because they would not have had enough time to find a replacement.

Evans had agreed to go but, without the club’s permission, the Blades did not activate a release clause in his contract.

The player himself showed no frustration as he then netted last weekend’s winner against Charlton – his 13th goal of the season.

But Barton made sure Parkinson knew exactly how he felt about Bolton’s late approach.

Barton said: “The disappointing thing for me is Phil Parkinson did not have anything about him.

“When I see him, I will tell him about picking the phone up and being a man about it.

“They tried to do it in the incorrect fashion and that is why they do not have a striker. That is why they will probably get relegated from the Championship.

“When you conduct yourself in the manner that they do, nobody will have any sympathy for them.”

Evans had gone to Sunderland the day before to discuss a potential permanent move to the Black Cats but that collapsed – leading to Bolton’s late move.

But the 24-hour recall option had expired by that point and Fleetwood stuck to their guns.

“Probably the person who suffered most in all of this is Ched,” added Barton. “He is a great lad, a great team-mate and a great player.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve and it’s important he is supported because he really does appreciate that.”

Evans scored the opener at Highbury in September when Fleetwood beat City 2-1, despite playing over half the game down to 10 men – a result that ended Michael Collins’ brief tenure two days later.