Barton: A Bridge To Far .... or Not ?
To be honest, it comes as no real surprise that Joey Barton has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons yet again. The timing of this event could not be worse, coming just a few days before the Manchester derby.
Joey is being crucified in the media, with calls for him to be given the boot. However, and I don't often agree with Barton's agent, Willie McKay, I think that we all need to understand the facts of the situation before one can point the finger of blame.
At the moment, there is a lot of speculation about who did what and in what order. Quite simply, none of us, except the players and those at the training ground really know. Hopefully, we'll get some clarity on that over the next day or two.
If Barton is found to be the instigator, then City should throw the book and a few other assorted heavy objects at him and he should be moved out of the club as quickly as possible... hopefully to 'Boro as that would be a harsh, but suitable punishment in itself.
However, if it is found that Barton was the innocent party (difficult for many to believe I know), then a lot of us will need to eat a big slice of humble pie.
Barton has recently voiced what many of the fans have felt all season, namely the poor quality signings made by Pearce. However, if you're going to do that, you need to put in a huge performance yourself in your next game, and quite frankly Joey was shocking against Villa. He didn't get punished for expressing his views publically, but I'm sure City will take this into consideration when they decide his fate.
It's true to say though that trouble does seem to follow Joey around, much in the same way as it did with Bellamy, Hartson, Roy Keene etc..etc. Actually, thinking about it, perhaps a move to the Black Cats might be best all round.
3 comments:
Has it's being reported that Barton was critisising Dabo as being a rubbish player,he is only doing what many of us would like to do.Joey has a colourful past but at all successful clubs there is a Joey Barton,someone who tells fellow players who other may dare not.I really hope this is'nt the last we've seen of him.Dare we think what our position would have been like this year without him?
No player is bigger than the club however good they think they are. Barton has gone too far this time, whether he started it or not. If Dabo threw first punch, he didn't need to retaliate - he never learns and we'll be better off without him
If he wasn't the instigator then why has he been suspended ?
We all know he is a loose cannon and the sooner we are rid of him the better.
It is worth remembering that the three matches he missed through suspension earlier in the year we won two and drew one.
With him gone perhaps harmony will return to the dressing room and better form on the pitch..
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