Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
The rehabilitation of Joey Barton
Although I have never met Joey Barton, all that I have read and heard about him makes me dislike him. He appears to be a thug and a bully. He is a decent enough player but not half as good as he thinks he is. His twitter musings demonstrate exactly why most footballers really shouldn't have access to it.
For many, his behaviour on the last day of the season was the final straw and should result in his sacking, banning for ever, etc. That surprises me because it's not the worst he's done. He left no-one with career threatening injuries and the reaction of the two City players must surely leave them feeling highly embarrassed.
For some time I believed that Barton was changing. I was particularly impressed with the restraint he showed when Mick McCarthy disgracefully instructed his Wolves team to take it in turns to kick him off the pitch. I think that anyone is capable of changing ? and that includes Joey Barton.
He probably has one more chance to save his career and I think that Everton could give him that chance. A reformed Barton could offer Everton a bit of steel and menace that has been missing for some time. His attitude to defeat reminds me a bit of Roy Keane. He will come much cheaper than he would have a few years ago.
David Moyes will tolerate no shit from any player. I believe we could come to a no-lose arrangement that could benefit Everton and Barton. Give him one more chance...
Andy Crooks, Posted 24/05/2012 at 18:01:07
Comments
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518 Posted 24/05/2012 at 21:28:25
Past his best and probably not good enough for the Goodison bench.
How many last chances has he had now?
520 Posted 24/05/2012 at 21:25:45
He would have to change a lot, starting with his Tweets.
Cannot see it I'm afraid.
521 Posted 24/05/2012 at 21:33:22
522 Posted 24/05/2012 at 21:28:29
524 Posted 24/05/2012 at 21:34:17
He can have a pint in the black horse with Andy van der meyde, but that's the nearest he should get to Goodison.
525 Posted 24/05/2012 at 21:44:41
He probably has one more chance to save his career and I think that Everton could give him that chance.Never in a million years.
526 Posted 24/05/2012 at 21:34:13
532 Posted 24/05/2012 at 21:44:13
Joey Barton would almost certainly fuck up and give Moyes some shit... and then he'll be dropped quicker than you can say "isn't that your car there Royston?" and become a very expensive, very disruptive bench warmer
537 Posted 24/05/2012 at 21:57:44
540 Posted 24/05/2012 at 21:59:43
541 Posted 24/05/2012 at 22:03:42
544 Posted 24/05/2012 at 22:07:46
545 Posted 24/05/2012 at 22:11:07
551 Posted 24/05/2012 at 22:20:58
6 words that will never leave my mouth.
Amusing wind up Andy.
566 Posted 24/05/2012 at 22:52:01
I could just see it now. He'd ditch Twitter and he'd be on here spreading his pseudo intellectual garbage and treating Morrisey lyrics like Shakespeare.
569 Posted 24/05/2012 at 23:03:15
Unfortunately you've used your real name (or have you...?) which may affect your credibility in discussions people do take seriously.
Never. Never. Never.
I would question your Evertonian credentials if I hadn't read so many of your other posts Andy. So come on, say sorry, or tell us who stole your log in details.
572 Posted 24/05/2012 at 22:43:48
I have witnessed a number of unprovoked disgusting violent assaults upon opponents that, if committed on the street, would see the perpetrator get a lengthy jail term. Surely it is the duty of a law officer who sees such things to make an arrest, even during the match.
As chairman of our local P&D board I tried without success to kick such characters out of the game. What swung others on the board to my way of thinking was when a typical victim successfully sued a P&D board for allowing a repeat offender to continue with his depredations.
573 Posted 24/05/2012 at 23:18:25
575 Posted 24/05/2012 at 23:14:32
"Morag, de yer ken a guy named Nietzsche? Yon daft boy Barton's goan on aboot him again on that twitting webnet thing. I have a feelin' he's a right-back wi' the German 3rd division side Slipslöppen Slydde"
576 Posted 24/05/2012 at 23:28:01
I'd rather lick Steven Gerrard's puckered arsehole than sign Barton...
Disgrace of a player, disgrace of a man. He should be sacked and charged with assault.
585 Posted 25/05/2012 at 01:00:05
If Im honest though.. I can see why it maybe quite tempting to stick Tevez on his arse, then stick his Argie mate on his arse.. and its a shame Balotelli had second thoughts about running onto the pitch..
Dunc got a stretch for less remember !
586 Posted 25/05/2012 at 00:58:41
592 Posted 25/05/2012 at 03:11:59
593 Posted 25/05/2012 at 03:17:57
The handful of people who suggest Joey Barton is actually some kind of misunderstood intellectual are probably the only fuckwits on earth ever to buy this book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brookside-Jimmy-Corkhill-Story/dp/0752208462
"Brookside: The Jimmy Corkhill Story" - A novelization featuring the story of Jimmy Corkhill, a central character in Channel 4's soap opera, "Brookside". His life is one of shady dealings, robbery, murder and drug addiction.
Dostoevsky pales in comparison Joey lad.
595 Posted 25/05/2012 at 03:30:42
596 Posted 25/05/2012 at 03:31:27
598 Posted 25/05/2012 at 03:54:14
609 Posted 25/05/2012 at 06:44:37
613 Posted 25/05/2012 at 07:03:06
The fact that he goes on Twitter pretending (or believing) to be some kind of modern day intellectual gives you the insight you need into his warped and deluded persona
A fucked up, deluded, violent, disruptive thug - and for that reason I'm out
619 Posted 25/05/2012 at 07:53:06
No thanks.
625 Posted 25/05/2012 at 08:07:41
But it is still a no way.
And can someone please tell me why Carroll was not sent off for his reaction to a foul when he put his hands on the guys neck and threw him to the ground.
Oh and one last comment on the MOTD. Rightly Lineker said it was a strange season as the little clubs often beat the big clubs. Too right, those reds beat us 3 times.
626 Posted 25/05/2012 at 08:31:09
Barton is a destructive, disruptive influence. We have very little money at present. Let's spend it wisely. Barton? Never.
628 Posted 25/05/2012 at 08:16:28
1) He speaks his mind and could be a nightmare for the board,
2) Although being only half as good as he thinks he is,he is still a good player.
The disadvantages are:
1) It is more than probable he will bring shame on the club.
2) His wages will be high.
Personally, I cannot stand the deluded fool. I think he is a little evil racist bastard from a family of evil racist bastards and wouldn't let him have the privilege of wearing the shirt.
638 Posted 25/05/2012 at 09:27:00
644 Posted 25/05/2012 at 09:46:51
5 minutes later he was sat on the touchline crying and walked over to the other lad and couldn't apologise enough.
I hate to say it but the lad is unhinged. Real Jeckyll and Hyde.
We shouldn't go anywhere near him.
647 Posted 25/05/2012 at 09:57:09
649 Posted 25/05/2012 at 10:13:53
651 Posted 25/05/2012 at 10:30:40
Phil, that's not a very good argument even before you remember Barton getting Gervinho sent off last August. How can he be so indignant about something he does himself and then defends afterwards?
676 Posted 25/05/2012 at 12:38:27
I don't want to bring my lad up looking up to a mindless, overpaid thug like him
I love Everton to bits but some things I value a bit more than cheering on someone in a blue shirt who I despise.
677 Posted 25/05/2012 at 12:48:44
679 Posted 25/05/2012 at 13:03:41
682 Posted 25/05/2012 at 13:10:38
686 Posted 25/05/2012 at 13:25:49
687 Posted 25/05/2012 at 13:31:19
688 Posted 25/05/2012 at 13:23:46
Nasty charachter but sometimes you need them type of players, Cahill is the same, niggly little bastard who puts players off their game by little fouls here and there.
Tthe one thing if he ever signed for us would be for Moyes to get his twatter account cancelled. he needs to shut the fuck up.
691 Posted 25/05/2012 at 13:43:47
693 Posted 25/05/2012 at 13:55:55
699 Posted 25/05/2012 at 14:25:59
A Midfield trio of Cahill, Barton and Neville.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
703 Posted 25/05/2012 at 15:02:00
He says he won't reveal the name of the club (something about the club's 'first rule' is you don't talk about it)
706 Posted 25/05/2012 at 15:08:09
Problem is daft Joey takes the piss out of this theory as he is up to his 34th chance and counting.
But the main reason I would'nt touch him with a bargepole is he is just not very good at football which is what he is supposed to do.
730 Posted 25/05/2012 at 17:41:10
Tevez made a right meal of a bit of a tangle and then, once he knew he was off, he tried to 'do' City's best player to give his side a better chance of staying up.
Nothing you don't see on any given park on any given Sunday.
I don't want him at Everton but all this faux outrage makes me laugh, or cringe.
737 Posted 25/05/2012 at 17:49:35
741 Posted 25/05/2012 at 18:22:04
Joey Barton, and yes I agree he has been pure poison, might change. I believe that his best chance of doing that is at Everton. It won't happen, the outcry would be too great and I respect the views of those who would find his signing utterly unpalatable. Someone might benefit from him, I just ask why not us?
There seems to be a lot of concern about his cretinous, toe curling twitter stuff. Being thick, and Joey Barton by all accounts is really thick, is not a crime. If Joey Barton goes elsewhere and fucks up again then, and feel free to remind me, I will eat a large helping of humble pie.
744 Posted 25/05/2012 at 18:36:37
Tevez lashed out first, and then made a meal of it when Barton retaliated. Lescott pushed Barton in the face as he was going off, Kompany ran over to him and had a go, as did Balotelli.
Wouldn't have minded him a couple of seasons ago, not now though.
749 Posted 25/05/2012 at 18:46:51
Balotelli's official twitter is full of abuse for Barton. Anyone on there add Mario and have a look at his tweets, they are comic genius!
757 Posted 25/05/2012 at 19:15:25
How about pairing him up with Diouf.....? It might just work......!
The sun is shining and we're discussing inconsequential shit on TW....... Aaaaaah.... The closed season is most definitely here!
Thank God for beer.
760 Posted 25/05/2012 at 19:27:29
Tevezs was climbing all over him, Barton gives him an old fashioned 'get lost mate' and we know the rest. I'm not too bothered with Barton's reaction, I think Tevezs and Aguerros were far worse, where he let's himself down is by not putting his hands up and saying fair cop and leaving the field. Then he gets his hands on an I-phone and makes things 10 times worse. He lives, breathes, votes and shops in the Land of the Nutter.
761 Posted 25/05/2012 at 18:53:31
Terrific post.
The High Horse Brigade need to watch a replay of the recent State of Origin match between Queensland & NSW, in which a mass brawl, (and a proper one too) broke out.
The result? A quick sin-binning, and like real men do, they just got on with the match.
Post-game there was a glaring absence of hysteria concerning the incident, no shrill calls for the players concerned to receive stiff penalties or staggeringly disproportionate fines; and certainly no smug condescension from fans of other clubs via the internet afterwards.
Barton's a toe-rag. He's destructive. Big deal.
Good enough for Everton? I don't even rate him as a player anymore, and could frankly give two hoots about the man's character.
764 Posted 25/05/2012 at 19:57:52
766 Posted 25/05/2012 at 20:09:02
As I would any decent player who wasn't a murderer, rapist etc (incidently I'd give Drenthe another go on the same basis).
Selling your soul to the devil is still cheaper than Kenwright's asking price.
772 Posted 25/05/2012 at 20:37:22
They just hate any other player who has more skill than them and as in Ice Hockey they become enforcers but are always proclaiming their innocence. I say good riddance to players like him along with all the play-actors who clutch their faces when they are tackled even though the face wasn't touched.
Those kind of players are giving soccer a bad name.
778 Posted 25/05/2012 at 21:23:40
What would be the point getting a centre midfielder anyway, as well as a horrible dirty twat like Barton.
What annoys me about him is he has been given enough chances. He's done multiple things on and off the pitch. I'd just sack him off the football pitch all together.
788 Posted 25/05/2012 at 22:22:05
On 5 live now, Stephen Nolan is hosting a debate as to whether Luke McCormack, the goalie who killed 2 kids when he was pissed up, should be allowed to continue his career with Swindon Town upon his release next month.
And there's outrage. Apparently, any other lag can continue to do whatever when released. But a pro footballer? Not at all.
819 Posted 26/05/2012 at 04:40:43
Go Drenthe, who knows he probably hides around the corner. :-)
876 Posted 26/05/2012 at 11:35:43
FFS he's a stinking pisshead. Have you got a valve missing?
881 Posted 26/05/2012 at 11:47:50
885 Posted 26/05/2012 at 12:25:25
891 Posted 26/05/2012 at 13:17:37
908 Posted 26/05/2012 at 14:59:13
I have thought of e-mailing Michael Kenrick and asking him if this thread could somehow vanish. But... I'll take it on the chin. First of all may I say that my post was genuine: no wind-up, no ulterior motive. I believe that Barton's punishment was out of proportion to his crime. However, I cannot defend what I have just seen. The only thing I can offer in defence is that, hearing about appalling behaviour is a long way from seeing it.
915 Posted 26/05/2012 at 16:28:05
010 Posted 27/05/2012 at 11:54:56
015 Posted 27/05/2012 at 12:15:34
,There's a player revered by many inside GP that was ten times more violent that Barton and ten times the liability on the pitch.
No need to be embarrassed as it appears football has sunk low enough to see fit to embrace sex cases, racists and murderers for the sake of saving a few quid.
People have a right to earn a living and if football's your trade then that will come with a public outcry that's part jealousy and part revulsion at the money involved.
The fact is Barton hasn't done anything lower than attacking an innocent man in a bar because he wouldn't play a song you like, I doubt any would refuse Gerrard if he was on a free.
245 Posted 29/05/2012 at 09:49:19
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517 Posted 24/05/2012 at 21:18:20
1. One of the things Moyes gets very right is team spirit - Barton is an individualist playing a team game. He's split every dressing room he's ever been in.
2. He's turned down every opportunity he's been given and the only guarantee you'll ever get from Barton is he's guaranteed to fuck up again.
3. His use of twitter. Most footballers dabble but our Joey specialises in using it to wind people up - I can't imagine Moyes putting up with that.
No, no... absolutely no