Mark Cooper insists his touchline ban has had no ill-effects as Barrow prepare to face Bristol Rovers at the Mem on Tuesday.
The Bluebirds boss began an eight-game touchline ban at the weekend, watching his side draw 0-0 with Harrogate Town at Holker Street. The 53-year-old was also hit with a £3,000 fine after an independent panel deemed he had committed an aggravated breach of FA rules relating to abusive and insulting words referencing gender.
The incident occurred when Barrow faced Exeter City in August, with Cooper exclaiming "'you just need to realise that it's a man's game" in an exchange with assistant referee Helen Edwards. Cooper was dismissed and the comments were reported to the FA by match referee Andrew Kitchen.
Cooper was charged after an FA investigation and he denied the allegation, but he was reprimanded after a hearing held on February 14 and will be forced to watch seven more games from the stands. Despite the inconvenience, the former Forest Green Rovers boss insists it will not affect his players.
“I enjoyed it and you can see an awful lot more,” he said after Saturday's stalemate with the Sulphurites. “I am mic'd up to the coaches so there was no impact whatsoever. It was positive and the fans looked after me.”
Barrow are without a win in four games and sit just two points clear of the relegation zone in 20th place. They did claim a point against the Gas earlier in the season, though, despite playing for almost an hour with 10 men.
Rovers manager Joey Barton said in his experience touchline bans are problematic, although he feels any impact on the game will be minimal.
"I’ve only got my experience and it makes it difficult," Barton said. "Certainly, (it is) more frustrating as a manager if you’re watching from the sidelines set back from the touchline, it’s really tricky.
"He’s got eight games to serve so they’ll be well used to it by now then if he’s already started that. It won’t be ideal. You’d rather be on the sideline with your team (but) I’m not sure it will affect the 11 players too much once the whistle goes on Tuesday."
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