Barton's agent comes cap in hand to Everton

If any dressing room can sort him out, it's ours. I'd like him. Quality player and a Bluenose.

Dear Christ no, why will this story never go away?

Too old
Too slow
Too prone to getting sent off
Not good enough

That should be the end of it.

We could take him on loan for a derby game let him destroy everything in front of him and then move. But no no no no no not even for 1 minute would I want that player in an Everton shirt ....he would ruin all that has been built within a day of signing. undoubtedly he has talent and is articulate until he crosses the white line and then he becomes the worst type of player imaginable.

File under absolute load of shite!

I've long since binned the moron on twitter. Definitely a non-starter this story.

Think the journos are touting for him here! I thought he was getting compensation from QPR and released to play for Marseilles who had an open door for him!
Be interesting to see what happens! Stranger things have happened in the past!

I believe that Martinez has a 20-point check-list of the attributes he looks for in a new player, and anyone that doesn't tick every box has no chance of playing for him.

Rumour has it that point number one on that list says:

1) Must not be an absolute cunt.

By so monumentally failing this particular criteria on so many levels, I believe that we will not be signing the player in question.

They tout a free transfer as a great deal... But there's a reason he's available for nothing. He's a tit!

The answer is short, pithy and a touch basic that ends in 'off'. Politely, no chance!

Some time ago I wrote a defence of Joey Barton and would have welcomed him to Everton. I looked at the responses and changed my mind. Never,ever.

Not to take away from the fact he's an absolute tit, he actually put in quite a few solid performances for Marseille last season. I have to agree that he could throw the dynamic and is too unpredictable. Old droopy eyes will have a price in his head too.

He did Tweet that Conor McAleny is "one for the future" after watching him bag a brace against Cardiff tonight. Also watching on Youtube a clip of him calling Zlatan Ibrahimoviæ "big nose" was quite amusing... but there is nothing he could ever do to make me think he was worthy of representing our great club. To call him an animal would be an insult to the vast majority of animals out there.

He is an absolute asshole like but he is a decent player on his day.

I read some of the stuff he says in the odd news paper and he is quite funny, rips everyone lol.

Bad attitude though and would probably disrupt our great team spirit. Don't think it's worth taking that risk IMO.

It's a real shame though as he is a talented player most of the time. No from me, but like someone mentioned earlier.... Stranger things have happened.

To quote the old 'Queen' Frankie Howard 'Nay! Nay! and thrice Nay!'

He would end up making us look bad like Suarez does for the RS. I would find it madly difficult to support him if he joined us. Hopefully nothing comes of it.

Bloody Hell, a thread with everyone of the same opinion? Rarer than rocking horse dung!

Good player but, no thanks.

Personally I would take him straight away on a free, he is a much better player than people are giving him credit for. I think a deal at £30k pw probably offers more to gain than to lose.

Yes he has form but I would disagree he is a bad influence in the dressing room, in fact I think the reverse is true. He is a player other players like playing with because he gives 100% in every game.

I actually enjoy his tweets, yes he goes over the top now and again but at least he has an opinion and is prepared to voice it. And can you really argue that Thiago Silva doesn't look like a fat ladyboy.

On a Free....30k a week.....cameo apearance in derby.....Gerrard throat high tackled withing 2 mins of JB coming on....worth every penny!

Dammit seems there's more to this than mere speculation if 5Live are trailing it.

If there was anyway of building in a cost-free sacking clause for when (not if) he steps out of line then maybe, but would rather we steered clear. Every time you think he's mellowed he'll do something ridiculous (like that Man City game at the end of the other season - almost like he wanted his former club to win the league!

Michael he obviously has form. Until he gave up the sauce he was an absolute disgrace but to be fair to him off the field he got sober and has kept himself out of trouble for five years.
Last year he got his head down, played well for OM but he will always play on the edge and he will pick up cards but for all those saying he is not fit to play for Everton what did you think of a certain Duncan Ferguson?
Let us not forget he went to jail for a number of assaults and picked up more red cards than Barton ever has.

Joey ( for all his bad press ) is a professional footballer. He's highly strung, gives his all & loves FOOTBALL. Not the trimmings of the game, the wags, the clubs or the paparazzi. He's as old school as you get these days & if this story has any truth in it, then you have to commend him for making a football / passion based decision over cash. He's made the majority of his earnings already & is happy with his 'lot'. For me it's tempting.

He has had a lot of chances, all of which he's binned. He might be fine for a few games but then he'll rape a nun or set fire to a dog or befriend Stevie G. Sorry, no.

Strangely tempted by this. Mainly as I think we could use a little 'fire' in the team and he did play very well for OM last season. Probably a terrible idea and yet I'd be strangely excited/curious to see what he might do if we got him and there's no doubt we need another central midfielder. He is a diehard bluenose so that means something.

I don't care how decent a footballer he is, just like that dickhead LS across the park I don't want anyone with an attitude like his anywhere near this club. He's a wannabe prat of the worst kind. In fact I'd love to see him join his own calibre across the park and sit on the bench as a life sentence.

Has had his decent periods in the game - was he a disruptive force at QPR or just pointing out the reality of the situation ?

Still, assaulting team-mates is too far and more than just speaking your mind - don't compare that to Duncan, or even :

"In the summer of 2005, Barton was sent home from a pre-season tournament in Thailand after assaulting a 15-year-old Everton supporter who had provoked Barton by verbally abusing him and kicking his shin"

The fundamental question has got to be whether we need to take the risk (we don't) and to what reward (a decent player but we aren't going to build a team around him at 30).

No from me, he could do a decent job for a promoted team who need to take the risk.

We should only consider this if he maintains the french accent! And if we can put a dickhead release clause into the contract.

Jon

His off the field record is there for all to see, my point is it is in the past since he got sober. My point about Duncan is that he is idolised by Evertonians despite also having off field problems and a poor disciplinary record.
It is a classic risk and reward scenario. I just happen to think it might be worth the risk.

Hard nose with attitude who can play a bit loves the club rubs people up the wrong way and takes no shit - by god how we've needed a bit of that these last years.

Perhaps the record of rolling over at "known places and games" wouldn't be quite so disgusting if being teachers pet to get a game had been dispensed with years ago.

Yes he's a wrong 'un but the truth is young men and wealthy young men specifically are shifty ne'er do wells with the morals of alley cats, he at least is quite open about it.

I'd give him a go.

To be fair how would we all react if a mouthy 15 year old insulted us a gave us a boot in the shins?

No to Barton at Everton though

Tbh, it's the assaulting team-mates that worries me more - some 15 year-olds could do with a good slap.

We would get loads of negative publicity for starters + be a laughing stock.
NO for me.
He can play a bit when he's no kicking someone though!

The guy is such a prick that his actions almost singlehandedly gave Man City the Premiership in 2011-12.

Yep, thanks Joey, don't hold yer breath lad

Football talent yes Liability, NO ! NO ! ! NO ! ! !

The man can play, he plays on the edge. Yes, he gets wound up easily but we could do with someone like him. We loved it when big Dunc throttled that Stephen Freund. We loved it when he whacked Paul Scharner, who can forget Jimmy Bullard's reaction to that?

Yes, he sometimes spouts shite on Twitter but he has 2.4 million followers and they're not all there to abuse him.

He supports Everton. He's a blue. I recall an interview after a game a couple if seasons ago, the reporter referred to him as a Liverpudlian to which he cut in and said, "I'm an Evertonian".

For all his perceived faults, he is also a doting father. He has given up drink in order to keep himself in order. Yes, he is liable to do something mad once in a while but to be honest, I like that about him. He would never give less than 100% for us and I think everyone on here would acknowledge that.

We are Everton. So is Joey Barton. Born not manufactured.

Give the lad a chance I say.. We've got fuck all to lose..

Give him a season long trial I say.

Yes he's got his problems but if he has kicked the ale and sorted his head out then get him in.

Him snarling in the middle, or Osman, about as solid as a Stuart Hall alibi.

Give me Barton any day.

Surely we should save the money and bring through one of the young lads who have 'bite.'
Isn't Junior a bit of a terrier?
Barton is a first class, grade A bell end who would drag our name through the mud. Not for me.

To even consider bringing him in stinks of desperation. We don't exactly have shit loads of cash but do we really want to be stooping this low!

He's a liability... He's old... He's past his best...

We can get better, and we are a better club without him.

The devil incarnate

On the one hand - he would be coming back to where he must know many people who would lead him astray - again. Not a good idea.

On the other hand the current team is short of nastiness and it might have been Reid who said of the '85-87 teams ' if the opposition wanted to play football, we could play. If they wanted to kick us, we would kick them back'. I don't see the current team being able to do that and Barton might help.

Certainly would have the passion, perhaps he would care about playing for Everton more than other teams?

I wouldn`t waste a single word on the twat.....oh!

His Agent just confirmed that an approach to Everton has been made.

His agent has just been on Talksport and confirmed an approach to Everton has been made. Martinez reported to be considering the offer. Apparently Bill likes Joey Barton too.

Why not give him a 1 year deal with an option of another 2 years if he plays in say 20 games plus. He is certainly a talented footballer and you never know he may just be what we need in the engine room.

Also Bartons agent stated that Martinez would be bringing in more players before someone departs.

Maybe Fellaini or Baines could be going once we have a deal to sign a replacement first?

Our youngsters' will get theirfaces known - as Joey's ashtrays.

Just imagine the harmony he'll bring to the dressing room.

A good player. A bad man.

i would be surprised if Martinez got him, but you never know.

Would certainly be a dangerous signing in so many ways, and clearly he still polarises opinion.

Personally I would take him, even if only for a year to see how it went. He is, and can be a very good player and potentially what we need. He's also a blue at heart and is offering to come & play for us for half his current wages - so many people on here complain about loyalty and now you're being offered it....

We need a combative midfield player and we all know he's certainly that - he was immense for Marseille at times last season.

I'm in the minority but I would take him on. Give him a 6 month or year contract with plenty of get out clauses.

He's under contract with QPR anyway. Why would they sell him for peanuts? Redknapp may fancy him. If not, he'll want proper money for him.

I'm impressed by the fact he'd take a pay cut to play for us - that counts for something. I also think we need a bolshy midfielder with a bit of skill - someone to break up play, keep possession and get us moving forward - and he fits the bill. I don't hold his Twitter outbursts against him: he strikes me as a footballer of above average intelligence, but a man who doesn't quite know what to do with his intelligence, so he flails around in the social networking ether, randomly "saying stuff". His appreciation of The Smiths is also in his favour, as is his sense of humour.

On the other hand, he is likely to upset the equilibrium of the dressing room, and he can't be relied on to keep his cool on the pitch. He's an FA disrepute charge waiting to happen.

In conclusion - as Alan Sugar said on The Apprentice when he liked someone but wasn't prepared to hire them - "I have to say, with regret, Joey Barton, you're fired".

It would be the most non-sensical move we could make at this point.

Dressing room collectiveness has served us well. Martinez believes in it too. Barton creates mayhem everywhere he goes.

As for matters on the pitch, we would be playing so many games with 10 men - the opposition winds him up and the ref does the rest.

Ludicrous.

He's certainly got his PR right - saying he would halve his wage demands to play for us.

I think back to seeing Osman on the deck, with his arms in the air, looking to the ref after he has been pushed off the ball for the umpteenth time in a game, and thinking go for it. Then there's all the baggage, and the possibility of him upsetting the dressing room.

Difficult one, but if Fellani goes, the whole of our midfield weigh in at about 3 stone soaking wet.

A bit of a nasty fecker is probably just what we need - get him.

I just looked up his League game stats for Marseille, and they don't make terrible reading to be honest:

Games played: 25

Yellow cards: 6

Red cards: 1

I was expecting it to be a lot worse in truth.

He did get sent off once in Europe too by the way.

I'd still take a chance on him - we need some steel and he'd be entertaining as well as useful. He breaks up play well, can pass the ball and drives his team way better than Fellaini ever has.

Smarter than the average footballer, and he has personality - I don't think he's really any worse than any player of yesteryear, he just has the outlet they didn't so gets more attention = the Internet.

Its a non starter. Move on please.

Barton just tweeted:

"Once a blue..."

Leighton Baines is clearly getting some practice in just in case the unthinkable happens and JB joins us, by giving a lift to irritating Harry Enfield characters clearly out to provoke and annoy the hell out of him.

Great commitment by Leighton!

He should've tweeted "Once a Hoop....." It would've been more appropriate.

Bit refreshing to hear a player say he would take a paycut to join us. The downside to this it's Joey Barton that's saying this. I would take a chance on him just to see him buckle Gerrard in the derby.

Why is it a non-starter? He's highly unlikely to play in the Championship for QPR, player and club have both agreed that, and going out on loan for the remainder of his contract will still cost QPR £3m for a player that isn't even playing for them.

That makes no sense for them, so they would be better off writing off his contract and letting him leave. He's made it clear he doesn't want to play for them, and they've made it clear they're happy for him to be playing elsewhere (on loan) so selling him cheaply, or tearing up his contract by mutual consent makes sense for Barton and QPR.

I don't see it as a non-starter by any stretch of the imagination.

If we sign Barton then we should be using a 3-5-1 or 4-4-1 formation for the rest of the friendlies to get us fully prepared for a lot of next season's games. According to NewsNow RM "is keen"!!!

Despite everything, he's actually a very good player. We need some steel - as someone said above, our midfield apart from the flailing windmill that is Fellaini, is massively lightweight.

I would suggest Fellaini is as much of a liability as Barton. Twitter aside...

James #286

It was a pretty soft red card to boot. He played consistently well in France and was well regarded by both the fans and his teammates.
I for one can't get to precious about this moral posturing about whether our club should be associated with him, stones and glass houses and all.
The question is would he be a liability to the team going forward. It's undoubtedly a risk but if he stays out of trouble a quality player on a free for 30k pw would be a result.

Not sure Merseyside is the best place for him. That said, he is keeping better company these days, especially within the racing game.

As a player he certainly not quick but is a tough tackler and can pass with great accuracy. In fact, he is the cleanest striker of a football I have ever seen. I once saw him saw him smash a shot through the dead centre of a suspended car tyre from 15 yards. In his suit and wearing shoes.!

The off the field stuff is a concern. The on the field stuff is tame compared to Shawcross, Gardiner, Sidwell and many others. His punch to the body of that fair haired, baby face, Bolton cheat was nowhere near hard enough.

Would he be good for the dressing room. Well, that I don’t know. He might do us all a favour by grabbing Mirallis by the scruff of the neck and frightening him into passing to team-mates in a better position.

On a serious note. Joey would love to join us but Martinez has had other names in his notebook for quite some time and they will probably arrive within the next few weeks.

Barton is a tool... but I remember thinking the same thing before we signed Norman Whiteside.

I'm all for it. Nasty niggly bastard like Cahill used to be.

Wind up the opposition...and try to keep his own head. I say go for it.

We need some metal in our midfield and it will be totally worth it if he blows up against the Shite and tries to headbutt and kick everything in sight.....oh the things going through my head...... I say sign him.

I'm with Tony on this one. I can just see him getting stuck into Gerrard in the derby.

Magic.

Even at his best he would be a gamble. He cannot control his temper and it's all about him. The press are far too interested in him and he would no doubt be a disruptive influence in the dressing room.

I don't doubt he is a good player and from listening to him clearly a fairly intelligent man, who we all know is an Evertonian.

However I recall something about when he was released (I think by Newcastle), he could of signed for us, but decided to join QPR for more money. However I may be wrong and that could of been press talk.

Maybe the reality has hit home with him and his agent and it would appear no one wants him. If he was that useful a player you can't tell me that Redknapp wouldn't have him at QPR, where he is going to need committed players to get them out of the Championship, as it was the uncommitted ones there for the big pay cheque that got them relegated.

Give me the choice between a Mr Nice Guy who never puts a foot wrong or a snarler who can play AND is a Blue?

Easy choice for me.

I think that the year in France, where he isn't being damned by his reputation at every turn, has been good for him. It may have given him fresh perspective and a year away from the bullshit in the British game may also have helped.

In fairness, he hasn't hit the headlines at all and if he is now sober, then this will help too. I would be willing to take him on, especially if he's on a free.

Fucking hell, fellow Blues!!! So Barton wants to come home???

I say, "Welcome home, Joey!" We need some real steel in our midfield, now that Fellaini's gone! — A nasty, snarling, committed player who will drive us forward, compete and dare I say wind up certain opposition players. He's a Blue, a Scouser and (if reports are to be believed?!) would take a massive paycut to play for us!

For 11 years years now, not only have we won fuck all, but we are known as also-rans, bottlers and chokers on the big stage. We need to put a bit of the Dogs of War into our play, along with all the nice passing stuff. Give him at least the chance to prove his worth; maybe then we might come back from Anfield with all 3 points (Joy!), beat one of the top 4 away from home!

Maybe... just maybe, win a fucking trophy for the first time in 18 long and painful years... Here's hoping!!!

I greeted news about the Barton-Everton link with alarm.

Joey Barton's record should speak for itself. He is a disruptive influence and has not shown any sign of changing his ways, in my view. Though he served time in prison for the cigar eye-stubbing incident, that does not make him a reformed character.

He does not set the example I want my kids to follow and Everton FC should not entertain any notion of him playing for the Blues — not even for one penny per week!

Last season,6 yellows and 1 red for a tough tackling combative footballer such as Barton?
He's gone soft.
Lets not get carried away with the ball winning attributes either.
The lad can play,he is a good footballer

Why does people keep talking about a free? He's got two years left on his contract so why would QPR let him go for nothing? They wouldn't.

There are enough better players around who are younger and quicker.
Why bother with this total misfit?

Kev#325

He won't play for QPR again, and it'll cost them £3m to pay him for the remainder of his contract with them, even if he's out on loan = pointless as far as QPR are concerned so they may as well let him leave by mutual consent.

That's why they'll let him go.

I would take him but only if written in to his contract it states that if he does anything the club deem to be unacceptable we can terminate his contract at no cost to the club.

Not a problem for me, we have for years been without any real bite and he'd provide it.

I would however first sit him down with the club's lawyers and present him with a separate contract for him to sign - one that says..

"Your twitter days are over while you are at Everton and If there is one, JUST ONE, transgression that puts this club in a bad light, you are gone, no ifs, buts, or maybes".

If he'd sign that and was still up for it, for half his current wage, fine with me.

Chris (330) Obviously thinking more or less the same thing at the same time.

Well I wouldn't have him. He glassed a barman FFS, oh wait, that was the England captain. He beat up a taxi driver, oh wait, that was Terry and Wilshere. He got his mates to film him spit roasting a drunk girl, oh wait, that was Lampard. He's been caught numerous times using prostitutes, oh wait, that's Rooney. He beat up a woman, oh wait, that's Sterling. He raped a woman at his club's Xmas party, oh wait, that's the Man Utd squad (very well swept under the carpet by the media).

The premiership is littered with players who should be inside. Barton's problem seems to be that he upsets people around him so that when he has a genuine problem his club just hang him out to dry. He went to prison for something that Creasehead, Carol, Belamy, Terry, Wilshere and many others got away with.

We have a Big Dunc at the club who has been through similar things. Maybe he could straighten out that side of him.

He's a good bite-yer-legs style midfielder. Something we've lacked since Carsley. If it's on a free and a clause is inserted making it easy for us to cancel his contract without paying him off then it's worth a shot. Even though he can be a bit of a prick, he's minor league compared to some of the cucking funts who play for our rivals.

Eugene

I don't have a problem with his tweeting as long it is not about the club. His Twitter account is one of the most entertaining out there because he doesn't give a fuck, which is quite refreshing in these days of corporate PR bullshit and the inanities tweeted by most 'celebrities'. Watching him consistently owning Fatboy Piers Morgan is always good value. Yes he can be a bit up himself but he is also occasionally quite insightful. When all the celebs were on the Save Gazza gravy train his was the dissenting voice that said you're wasting your time, unless he wants to save himself. Also anyone who is a big Smiths fan is OK by me.
I read an article where he said he uses Twitter to help vent his anger issues which he accepts are always with him. Especially now he's decided going on the bevvy is probably a bad idea for him.

Every season this one comes up.....

Been having a think about it. I don't see it happening myself. Firstly Martinez has to win over some sections of the supporters already, I don't think he is strong enough yet to make a risky signing like Barton who at best will be a squad player now.

Secondly, I heard Willie Mckay (agent) on TALKsport and he was going on about the performance of Barton for Newcastle against Arsenal. This was nearly two years ago now. Then I would have gone for him, but now I think we would be taking a whole lot of risk for an undoubtedly limited reward.

The reference to Carsley and Dunc are irrelevant to me. We have moved on as a team from the relegation fodder we were then (particularly during Dunc's early days) we don't need that 'bite yer ankles' sort of player any more. Fellaini does it with more class. If he goes Barton is not a replacement for him.

Thirdly, signing Barton sends out the wrong message to the younger players. And considering the column inches Martinez has offered journalists about using younger players I think it would be an odd move.

One problem with signing him is that he would really only be a back up to GIbson in my view. Not sure Joey would be happy sat on the bench and history shows that you don't want an unhappy Barton around.

if he's genuinely content to play back up for Gibson and Fellaini (or whoever we buy with replacement cash) then i'd be happy to take him on an idiot proof contract that allows us to get rid of him if he does anything silly.

We do need a player of his ilk if not his ire.

Sam,

Looking at your post,do you see Barton as a defensive midfielder?

Now if it were Wayne Rooney saying this ...

Unfortunately under the present Board regime, these are the only sorts of rumours we will hear.
Hoovering up the scraps. That's us.

Every person who has said they won't want him since this story broke is judging him on his off field (mostly) behaviour. Going to prison, assaulting people e.t.c rather than how good of a player he is.

Here is my 2 cents on the matter. Barton is a great player, easily one of the best available midfielders every time he comes available. He would certainly improve our team and I think the added bonus of playing for us would see a very passionate player not too disimilar from all the blues who played for us over the decades. However I wouldn't want him to sign for us, simply because he has wasted his career. If he had focused on his game since breaking into the Man City team he would be at the same level as the Shite's captain and would be England captain hands down. He WAS that good, but every little misdemeanor and payday at a new club he just lost his credability bit by bit. He wants one big move before he retires and playing for us would be that perfect move. So that being said I would say no because he isn't moving because he desires it, its just the best possible alternative to Marsaille taking him.

I wouldn't read too much into the tweet either, I think he may be taking the piss there just to stir the media into a frenzy.

Tony #344 if it were Wayne Rooney offering to play for half his wages, he would still be out of our league financially!

Well if he pisses off players he plays against and upsets them as much as it's pissed off and upset most of the commentators on here, I'd sign him asap !!!
Since Cahill was at his peak we've had nobody to wind the opposition up and have looked a bit lightweight at times.
Certainly change big style with Barton in the team.
Worth a punt
At least if you're gonna get sent off it might as well be for something spectacular !!

It's a big NO to Inspector Clouseau!

You talk about this as a positive John and I understand why. If we were a Norwich for example and were in the bottom third of the league he may make a difference. This is probably why QPR wanted him in the first place.

John and Sam (339) do WE need a player of this 'ilk' though? Is someone who winds up the opponent and will on occasions cross the line be the sort of player move us to the next level? I don't think it will....

Mark (338 + 358) - you speak eminently good sense.

I can't think of a single top (ie, trophy winning) side at home or abroad who have a Barton-style midfielder. He's the kind of player who is useful AGAINST a top side, not one who plays FOR them.

If we aspire to be a top side, we should look elsewhere.

1 year rolling contract ?

1 month rolling contract.

Big Dunc to look after him.

Stop drawing attention to himself (he clearly didn't get enough as a kid).

Then maybe.

Probably too big a risk this early on for RM.

Barton!!!!!! Surely not.....

Mark and Kev, Sergio Ramos, Souness, Gattuso, Keane, Viera, Hunter, Van den Howe, Case, Cantona, Batty, Wise, Jones, Pearce, Reid.

Football doesn't change as much as Sky want you to believe. A team needs to be able to show the opposition that it's not afraid of a scrap and can't be bullied and these players can demonstrate that. They could also play abit, which helps.

Which brings me back to our Joey...

Can he play a bit? Yes.
Is he easily bullied? No.
Can he, mostly, direct his red mist for the good of the team? Maybe, but there is only one way to find out.

He's a cheap option for a player who could be a first team regular. IMO it's worth a punt.

Please God, No !!

I think the best reason I've read here is Peter Thistle ( post # 207 ).

That's a good enough reason to say No thanks !!!!

Er, John - all those players (apart from Ramos, who's a CB) are from the past. If you look again at what I said, I was using the present tense. So, none of your names are at all relevant.

What's SKY got to do with it? Did they somehow invent Barcelona's and Spain's passing game, which has become the model for a successful team? No.

I'm not against Barton, I think he has a lot to going for him, but on balance I agree with Mark that he's not what we need if we want to compete at the top.

The difference being is that Souness (for example) could play a lot not just a bit (as you refer to Barton) Secondly Souness, Hunter and probably the likes of Batty, Jones etc played in a different era when physicality wasn't frowned upon and you could disrupt oppositions and have the support of the officals. You can't do that now. There role is pretty much redundant. Viera and Keane were SO much more than simple hatchet men John hence the reason they spent all their careers at the top of European football.

The closest example I can think of the Busquets at Barcelona. He plays the 'nip at your ankles role' but players like Xavi and Iniesta need that level of protection. Gibson and Fellaini don't. I also would hazard a guess that Busquets can more than hold his own with his colleagues technically whilst also having that physical side

Barton to join Everton 6/5. Marseille, 5/2

It is reported that Martinez likes Barton as a player.

In six months he would be leveraging himself out of his contract with a big fat payoff after smacking someone or dragging us through the gutter in some way - steer clear.

It smacks of Yozzer Hughes to me...we gave jobs to lots of has-beens during DM's time and just because he is cheap I do not see much in the way of positives. He would be using up a bench place that a decent young player should have.
McFadden, Hahnemann and Hitzlsperger were all a waste of money and they also took bench places away from youngsters with futures.

He was a decent Premier League standard player some years ago but that was definitely in the past.

I say an emphatic No to him joining us.

"It is reported that Martinez likes Barton as a player."

Which font of knowledge reports that ?

I'd never have Joey Barton at Everton!!! RM even said we'll only bring in players of the right DNA... bluenose or not, Barton does not have it!

He won't even get in our starting line-up, and he's 30! Bring nothing to the team except controversy, and a stinking attitude! No room for him!

I hope to god this never happens!!

We have one of the best 'team spirit' clubs in the Premier League. Why risk that for the chance that Joey has turned over a new leaf (probably to reveal a body beneath)?

Excellent feet – empty head.

I like Joey Barton but unfortunately he is a sociopath. He needs serious therapy and possibly psychiatric treatment for bi-polar disorder or whatever it is that drives his erratic and violent behavior. He couldn't even stay out of trouble in Marseilles - after serving his 12 match ban from league football. As far as Everton is concerned he shouldn't be allowed any closer to the field than the front row of the Lower Bullens Road stand - although it would be interesting to see him in a ding-dong with Luis Suarez in a derby. That would be worth the price of a ticket.

Please God NO!

For footballing reasons - he'd lose us more points than he'd gain through bookings and sendings-off IMHO. I also feel he may upset what is apparently a good team spirit within the squad.

For non-footballing reasons - he's a complete low-life. He's also completely up his own arse as evidenced by referring to himself in the third person in interviews. He has Suarez-style baggage with less positive impact.

Taking risks is necessary at times - but not one with a toxic skull-and-crossbones on the label.

Ged - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/10213324/Joey-Barton-willing-to-take-pay-cut-to-sign-for-Everton-says-Queens-Park-Rangers-midfielders-agent.html

The full unedited version probably read: "He said he likes him as a player but not as a fellow member of the human race".

He’s a loony, no respect for the clubs he plays for or for the managers who have given him more chances than he deserves. Martinez should steer well clear of this, as soon as he doesn’t get his own way he’ll be slagging the manager off as out of his depth.

He’s won nothing at top flight level and has nothing to offer the 6th best team in England at the age of 30. Barton has no credibility, this is a desperate attempt to keep himself in the limelight.

He would be a big step backwards in my opinion.

Matt (348)

I think Bill might put himself on ebay to finance the shortfall. Or he could always try an updated Billy Bunter line on Wayne, "Don't worry, I'm expecting a Postal Order from the Fortress Fund."

I really don't get this writing off players as soon as they reach 30.

Giggs & Scholes are 40 & 39 respectively this year, and both have just won a Championship!!

Modern players don't play with injuries as they did in the past, they can easily play until their mid-thirties if they avoid serious injury.

Sometimes, when you are skint (now Bill & the Board are only worth £500m) you have to be creative, and we can't bring anyone else in without sales.

I didn't hear anyone shouting for Pienaar's head when he was arrested for assaulting a woman, found guilty of drink driving, & charged with assault in South Africa??

I don’t think there is any doubt that we would have all welcomed either Scholes or Giggs at the age of 30+ to Everton. RVP will begin the season as a 30 year old and, again, I think we can universally agree that he would probably be a starter for us for a few years yet. Let’s not pretend that’s what we are getting with this 30 year old. He’s won nothing and caused trouble everywhere he’s gone. Whatever ability he has is not backed up with any top flight honours, a big gamble that will not pay off.

It’s not about being 30 years old, it’s about being a 30 year old twat.

Ross - surely his medal collection has no bearing on whether we should employ him?

Or are you saying if he was a mixture of Van Persie with Barton's disciplinary record we should turn a blind eye?

He actually didn't cause trouble at Marseille to be fair to him. He played really well for them, got sent off once in the league, then played really well and they made the champions league with him a driving force in their midfield.

He got sent off once in Europe too.

I think people are overly harsh on Barton, and he gets a raw deal from the press because he dares to have a mind and speak out. He's a smart kid, smarter than your average idiotic Premier League player and I for one laud him for it.

He has balls, he plays with passion, and he has personality - 3 things severely lacking in many modern prima donna players.

He has been an twat in the past, but lately he's cleaned up his act A LOT and I think he'd be a brilliant signing. For what it's worth.

Can I also add to what kevin said about players at 30+.

This is 21st century football, with modern players having much longer careers for so many reasons. Diet, training, better pitches and far better medical care. Being over 30 doesn't mean a damn thing any more.

Agree with what Ross has said Kevin. It comes back to the point that Barton just isn't worth the risk he would be. He is a 'good' footballer. Nothing spectacular though. As somebody on here has stated it is not as if we have been offered a 30 year old Wayne Rooney on a free after all its Joey Barton, and whilst I have nothing against him and would have signed him 18 months ago we have moved on.

You state Kevin that we 'can't being anyone in without sales' Whether or not this is true (I am not sure) Is this a problem. In CM we have (in this order for me) Fellaini, Gibson, Osman, Barkley, Junior, Heitinga*, Pienaar* (*if needed could do a shift) Where about would Barton fit in? Even if we play a midfield three we have options. I am not sure we need numbers, particularly if, as under Moyes, they inhibit the youngsters coming through (Hitzlsperger/ Mcfadden)

Barton would not be a signing a contract with Everton more like remission with good behaviour or else.

Martinez liking Barton:

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/8848912/transfer-news-joey-barton-keen-on-everton-switch-says-agent

I hope we sell Fellaini.

There, I said it.

Overrated, windmill in a gale of a player, and a liability - all flailing elbows and stumbling through the back of people in the name of tackling. He scored some goals under Moyes, but if he plays deeper, then I don't think he's any good.

Sell Fellaini, buy Barton, have a big holiday with the cash left over.

Nurse!!!

If he was a winner with a medal collection like Van Persie’s then it would show that despite his mental and behavioural inadequacies he has functioned as part of a winning team and therefore a gamble with some good form.

But he’s a loser with issues.

And he’s 30.

You don't find that a little hypocritical Ross?

Er, Kev (372), all the players I've mentioned are from the present except the ones who are from the recent past and the ones from the distant past proving that football doesn't change that much.

Your Barcelona and Spain reference is wrong. Spain play a passing game but mostly only win when they counter attack and Barca win DESPITE their passing game which usually ends up with either a pass to a genius or cross to nobody. What really made Barca successful was a high tempo pressing game and the close ball control of a few key players. As they age their high tempo is dropping off and they're getting undone.

Ross - Van Persie only has one medal. It's hardly a collection ;-)

Actually he has 4.

Ignore me.

3! He has 3. 1 of those is the Charity Shield which doesn't count.

I need a lie down.

I don't think there's anything hypocritical about it Kevin, feel free to enlighten me.

Incidentally there were calls on this site for Pienaar to be sacked for each of the incidents you previously mentioned.
I wasn't one of them because he is too important to the team.

"I wasn't one of them because he is too important to the team."

I hate to get involved, but really, that's serious double standards right there, Ross!

You can't pick & choose who you see as a woman beater & drink driver.....ouch.

Barton - we've seen his temper; we seen his tripe on Twitter and we've seen his arse - we've seen enough already! If RM takes this prat on, then his rising reputation will be severely dented at least as far as I am concerned.

RM:

Here's a good one from Big Nev....

Neville Southall has urged Everton manager Roberto Martinez not to grant Joey Barton his dream move to Goodison Park.
Barton’s agent Willie McKay told talkSPORT on Wednesday that his client was keen to join the club he supported as a boy and would be prepared to take a significant wage cut to force through a move from QPR.
But Goodison Park legend Southall believes Martinez would be wise to steer clear of the controversial midfielder.
"I think they have already got a kitman," said Southall, when asked on Hawksbee & Jacobs whether he thought the 30-year-old would be a good signing.
"What is he going to add to Everton? He might be a half decent player at times but, if he was that good, Harry Redknapp would be begging him to stay at QPR.
“I don’t see how he will fit into Everton’s style of play. He ain't the best passer in the world. Yes, he is fit and runs up and down all day but Forrest Gump did that as well, didn’t he?
"I would rather he [Martinez] got in a young lad, who is probably on less money and a better prospect in the long run so they have got until January to bed him in and see what he is like. A 30-year-old at Everton? I was hoping they were past that, unless he was a current international."

James, I am not saying we shouldn’t have Barton on a “holier than though” stance, that would be a very hypocritical position for me to take. Fact is, he doesn’t offer enough and Pienaar did/does. That seems pretty simple, and consistent to me.

4 medals, international experience and numerous individual honours is enough of a collection for me to think RVP is a winner, fair enough if you don’t.

RM:- "Boss, I have this incredible player that I know will do a great job for Everton. His name is McCarthy and he was in my team at Wigerton. Great lad, will make a great impact here at the home of football."

BK:- "How much Davey? I mean Roberto, sorry."

RM:- "We'll try £15m + add-ons but might need £20m plus his wages, probably about £80k a week."

BK:- "What about this Barton lad, still only 30? Great Evertonian and a fantastic player, very technically gifted I hear from the top coaches. Davey was always singing his praises but we couldn't afford him then. How much would he be?"

RM:- "Well, funnily enough.......

BK:- "Go get Joey, Daverberto — he'll be your first marquee signing!!"

RM:- "Thanks, Boss" (leaves the office)

BK: (looks longingly at the photo of Davey on his desk) "Did you hear that Davey, £20million! £20million... ha, ha, ha, ha!!!"

I don't think you can compare him to ratboy, who is a cheating, crying little wanker. As said by others, Barton has sorted himself out off the field He has an old fashioned attitude and would run 'til his lungs burst for Everton. Just been reading some of the French press from last year (translated of course!)
Their journos regard him quite highly..
I'd give him a go

No, no and no. Lifelong Blue? Really? You'd never have guessed when he bared his backside to his "fellow" Evertonians when we played Man City.

Also, he is not a character befitting of an Everton shirt. A thug, arrogant, violent who is not even a good player, even though he thinks the world of himself.

No thanks. I'd prefer DMs like Capoue or Diame rather than this over baring prat.

Ross, relax, I was having a joke with you re RVP, note the little cheeky wink at the end....

I really don't think you can pick & choose though whether you believe a persons crimes fit in with your view on how good said person is at kicking a ball about. Pienaar was nicked for assaulting a woman, Barton has had a number of misdemeanour's but none of us has the right to say which is acceptable just because we think they're a better footballer than the other.

Come off it, mate...

James, I don't think I have passed any judgement on either player about what is acceptable, that's up to the courts and their employers. I have offered an opinion on whether their ability on the field outbalances the risk that they pose to the club off it, that's just pragmatism. Pienaar yes, Barton no.

"He is a diehard bluenose so that means something"

So Sam, if he was a diehard Bluenose, why did he bare his backside to his fellow Blues after we played Man City a few years ago?

The thought of this pseudo-intellectual dimwit parading around Goodison with a Plato book hanging out of his arse-pocket is enough to make anyone cringe..

On the embarrassment factor alone...NOOOOOOOOOOO!

"Incidentally there were calls on this site for Pienaar to be sacked for each of the incidents you previously mentioned.
I wasn't one of them because he is too important to the team."

Errr.....assault, assaulting a woman, drink driving....

Sorry if I'm being thick.James, but you're going to have to explain your point to me.

"So Sam, if he was a diehard Bluenose, why did he bare his backside to his fellow Blues after we played Man City a few years ago?"
--------------

Or try to smack a 16 year old Everton supporter..

My point is that you appear to be saying that Pienaar's crimes are acceptable because he's "too important to the team", whereas Barton's crimes are not OK because he's not important to Everton.

James, do me a favour and re read the first sentence of my post @428.

To be fair Ciaran, I would have lamped the little bastard if he was giving me loads and kicking my shins....allegedly

I've never known an upcoming season to have so many unknowns!!! Can't wait... ;-)

There's an Everton supporter from Baines' car I wouldn't mind getting a slap from JB, yer know worra I meeeeen mate.

Initially I was totally against it but, and this is a big but, if we got him for free, on a low wage and iron clad clauses where we could rid without compo if he misbehaves, then I think it might be worth a go as a decent squad player.
He has improved over the last couple of years since he stopped drinking and I think we need someone mean and nasty in the team. I think that playing for his boyhood team would make him a decent acquisition.
P.S. isn't he banned for like 8 games and is he still banned from going into town?

Ross - fair enough if you don't think that by saying Pienaar is too important to the team to be sacked for the crimes mentioned, but to my mind that in itself is a judgement of exactly that.

Lets agree to differ and leave it there.

What a shame....

Just like so many talented individuals, he will never achieve a shred of his potential as long as he draws breath. However much talent he has – and he clearly is a very good player – he will always shoot himself in the foot. I'm afraid he'll always be a ticking timebomb.

We seem to be getting a good head of steam up in the dressing room and on the training ground; however much Joey professes to be a reformed character, this is just a risk not worth taking. RM continuously emphasizes the importance of bringing in the right characters and Joey clearly does not qualify.

I genuinely believe and respect his desire to return to where it would appear to be his heart is. If you had a guarantee that he would genuinely behave himself, then I would personally give him a piggy-back to Goodison.

A fit and focused Joey Barton is twice the player Osman is IMO. but to generate team spirit you need to have everyone singing from the same song-sheet.

Good luck to you, Joey, but no thanks.

I personally think he's crap. Plus he has a short fuse as shown by his kicking out at Aguero and Kompany and above all, he is a thick, arrogant prat who thinks he is superior to everyone else.

Just because you can quote Kant and Plato, doesn't mean you are cleverer than Einstein.

But it would be nice seeing joey deck Gerrard in the derby, Ross. Just seeing that would make my day. "ref, ref, eee it me ref"

Yes it would Col, and snap Ratboy's legs into three as well.

Barton: shove your cap - and your hand - up your a*se... sideways!

I'd rather we signed Joey Deacon

Or Joey Tribbiani.

Instead of Honda or Vadis no thanks, but as well as- yes. I know he gave a fella a thrashing outside "Chez Ronald", did the same to a team mate -putting him in hospital, ended a trainees' career essentially by stubbing a cigar out in his eye, slapped a young blues fan, got his arse out at Goodison park (literally and metaphorically)....... But..... (yeah I know its a bigger but than Dave Unsworths) but...... as his defence lawyer said....Mr Barton accepted that whilst the first few punches were in self defence- the fourth , fifth, sixth and seventh may have been excessive , had it been Alex Nyarco he did in training would we be arsed....Noooooo , The trainee had tried to set Joey's wig on fire and, lets be honest, Saville himself would prefer the reputation of eye burner to the one he has now so Joey raises his profile, I regularly feel like giving little gobshites a slap ( not actually saying the lad was being horrid, just pointing out we don't know the full extent of the exchange- although actually this is inexcusable- don't go round hitting kids, well, don't get caught actually), and the mooning incident was in response to a ditty enquiring about his brother and his showering practices whilst at Her Madge's pleasure.......

Ok that was tongue in cheek, but actually Barton has done well In Marseiile, was good at Newcastle, and shone at City, QPR well, he was average but then again, I wouldn't want to put a shift In for the tax dodging one. Barton is a blue, has a point to prove in England, would be in a good dressing room in a club with a good feel about it, playing for his boyhood club and well aware that if he fails here, that's it- scrapheap time really, he can play a bit, is tough, niggly, and isn't afraid to get stuck in......I would welcome the chance of seeing him steam into Steven Gerrard and giving him some back come derby day. got to be worth a look.

Yes, I know he can be a tit, but he is a cahill/savage/keane type player, bettier in the tent pissing out than outside the tent pissing in. I am not suggesting he would be first name on the team sheet, but he offers something we actually don't have at the moment, and wants to come here, also a 50% pay cut...... fuck me. BK will be all over it.
The fact RM has talked to Bartons agent rather than telling him he isn't arsed what Barton will or wont do to come here gives it a bit more legs.... stranger things happen at sea.

Or Barton fink

Or Bart(on) Simpson.

His baggage will divide opinion on here but for me its purely about ability and he isn't good enough simple as that. Not better than what we have already.

In a nut shell. YES.

Dominic T: The fact RM has talked to Bartons agent rather than telling him he isn't arsed what Barton will or wont do to come here gives it a bit more legs

I'd be very surprised if Barton's agent has even spoken to Martinez at all. Bears all the hallmarks of a PR exercise for the player to me.

It is because everyone has forgotten about him, so he can get a bit of attention as he is so crap, no one can be bothered signing him.

Ciaran/Ross- because he had an anger/attitude problem that I believe he has worked on. I don't think he's done anything unusually stupid at Marseille except for some name calling.

Paul Andrews 343, yes, I suppose I see him in the role Gibson plays trying to break up attacks but mainly starting off ours. I think he has a decent range of passing.

What about that stupid French Allo Allo accent he did Sam?

No longer drinking (?) doesn't eliminate his nasty nature and anything can trigger that in a game (or off the pitch). No thanks.

The philosopher's stoned.

Has he worked on his attitude problem? No, he insults anyone who is better than him on Twitter, getting into arguments for no reason, spouts philosophical arrogant crap and gets sent off all the time.

Is anyone who thinks we should have him at Everton, willing to put up a £1,000 bond which is lost if he gets sent off, arrested or assaults a team-mate?
No, I thought not.

He got sent off once in the league last season Ross and people can say as much philosophical nonsense as they want on twitter. The point is he hasn't done anything genuinely newsworthy (in a bad way) for some time I believe.

He is not an Everton player, full stop. His character is not befitting of representing the club we all love.

Paul #486 - he is a nut in a shellsuit.

If Hitler had been a Blue - would we forgive him also? (Joke).

You may be right, Ross but I suspect Joey Barton is not as bad as the media (who love a villain) make out and certainly not that much worse than a lot of footballers who get away with murder.

I'm always prepared to give someone who appears to have turned over a better leaf a new chance. I do think it's unlikely though.

He's 30 for God's sake, plus he's not very good. We should be trying to sign better and younger players like Diame.

I'm loving all this outrage at Joey showing his arse to fellow Evertonians.
He dropped his kecks ffs!! What a bad bastard!!

Ross Edwards

And Duncan Ferguson was?

I was deadset against this when this morning but having read some of the suggestions about short term contracts with behaviour clauses have got me thinking on a more positive front.

Firstly Joey Barton is far from a poor footballer, on his day he can control a game from midfield, ask Newcastle fans.

Secondly I would like to criticise the FA/PL for their reaction over the incident in the Man City game. Whilst a red card was more than deserved nobody was ever to keen to talk about the blatant elbow to the throat he received from Tevez that he retaliated too (I know he shouldn't) and as for a 12 match ban, just think that this is the combined suspension received by Suarez and Terry for racially abusing opposition players. Remind which teams they play for again......

Oh right, not little old QPR

One point no one seems to have mentioned. Barton's agent hinted that Everton would be bringing a player in before someone departs during his interview on Talksport. Could it be McCarthy arrives just before Fellaini departs to Man Utd if their Fabregas bid is unsuccessful?

He's supposedly an Evertonian Jamie, and he disrespected us by showing his backside at us. If I met you, and pulled my pants down and mooned you, would you accept it?

I didn't know that mooning became a sign of respect.

Ross didn't Rooney kiss the united badge in front of the Park End?

I would hardly say Barton mooned he just pulled his pants down slightly. Why are football fans so eager to give someone abuse and be so sensitive is some banter is given in return?

Jim #490

It's not a well known fact but when they searched the Fuhrerbunker they found a signed Dixie Dean photo and a quarter of Everton mints

He did indeed Ian, and for me Joey Barton pulling his shorts down in front of his fellow Evertonians is disrespectful.

Is he actually an Evertonian?

Joey Barton or Anderson (of man utd)?

Neither.

Ross according to reports he is an Evertonian. I actually find what Barton did quite funny. No one got hurt and it was a bit of fun.

Greg O'keefe says we're not finished in the transfer market. This one might have legs.

Fair dos Ian. Just don't want him. There's better Midfielders out there lurking in Spain or Holland right now.

There are too many senitive people at football games these days,that and fans who like to give stick out but then go crying to a copper or a steward when they get some back. JB showed his arse to fans who abused him for 90 minutes, big deal.

I never understood all the bile towards JB. The lad comes from a family of Evertonians who like him love the club. So JB has smacked a few people and has been a bit wild at times who hasnt? Big Dunc anyone? If someone out there wants to get involved in shit that doesn't concern them then sometimes they deserve a Dig.

Shit happens in life and in football. We have too many glass house merchants who are chucking stones here. Who are any of us to judge the man?

Honestly some of you on here are like a bunch of old woman at a Knitting circle.J B isn't the greatest footballer on the planet but I can't see what he has done to offend so many of our lot. He isn't exactly Stevie G is he?

Ross I agree but they would probably cost 8-12 million which we don't appear to have.

Despite what Southall said Barton is technically very good. A one year contract with an option of another 2 plus a clause stating that any behaviour considered unacceptable by the club and we can cut our ties sounds ideal to me.

Barton knows he is in the last chance saloon. This may be and just maybe a good move for both.

Ross, if I was giving you dogs abuse and calling you every name under the sun, I'd expect more than you showing me your arse.

I agree Ian. Beggars can't be choosers and though I'd prefer Capoue or similar if we don't have any cash left then I think Barton, on the right contract, would be better than nothing. He's not a bad player and would certainly give his all.

Having read many many responses here and elsewhere, I'm going to do a complete 180 in my opinion, EVEN within this thread
Quite simply, I hate seeing a BLUE run down by anyone, especially fellow BLUES

He's a VERY talented footballer, but, I have loathed and detested his appalling behaviour on and off field for years

Speaking purely as a BLUE, I know that I would crawl upon broken glass, walk on hot coals and sleep on a bed of nails for enough talent to justify even just one minute in "The Royal Blue Jersey", just once.............

Bring him home, bring Joey home
Give him "The Royal Blue Jersey"

And:
Offer him £10K a week with "performance bonuses", payable at seasons end
Insist that he lives outside of Merseyside for the duration of his term

I thought it was quite funny too. Here it is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyieW2TKH5I

Great post Tony Draper, he's a Blue so he might bend over backwards to play for HIS team in front of HIS family and friend. Rooney is a scumbag as well, but he's our scumbag and most of us would welcome him back, or wouldn't we?

I'll tell you one thing, Gerrard wouldn't score a hat-trick strolling around Anfield if Barton was on the pitch.

It's not as if we have £20m to take our pick of midfielders, don't forget Gibson may miss half a season with injury, he is a bit of a sick note.

I would take Barton in an instant, we could have done with him for the past few seasons in my opinion. For anyone to suggest he is a poor player, well that is clearly bollocks. Sign him up Roberto, welcome home Joey, lets go get the bastards.

I think Pip Nev must be psychic that's why he left in a hurry. JB would've decked him within 24 hours of his arrival. Pity Carra has retired, he'd have made a nice target too in the derby.

Thanks, Colin (Glassar)

Wayne Rooney ?
Yep, I would have "Our Wayne" back in a heartbeat, just NOT at £200K a week maybe at 1/10th of that.

My view is "Loyalty does NOT pay well, but it does COST heavily"

That said, slap a FAT contract in the the hands of Lord Leighton of Baines, and slap it there NOW !

I would give him a go, as already said, with clauses in his contract to allow us to dump him, if he lets the club down.

He is the type of player who could be the difference of us winning a derby at Anfield. IMO.

Iv never really liked Barton but... if you have a guy willing to play for the club he love, take a pay cut that wouldnt put him up there with high earners...it always makes me think its worth a gamble. At the end of the day I think every footballer wants to play for their boyhood club. Passion he does have.

Not sure how many professional footballers would offer to take a 50% wage cut to play for the club they supported as a boy

I find myself agreeing with Mr Marsh. Passion and hard tackling and a degree if skill to boot. Bring him in with a clear contract that says any act which the Club deems tarnishes its image and he is out with no compo. Great cover for the injury prone Gibson.

I would sign him on a short term notice with a view to a longer contract should he prove his worth/and has got a grip on himself. We need a player like him in our midfield.

Big Nev has called this one, we don't need Forrest Gump here and never have. The biggest problem with Gump, and there are many, is that he's crap. As long as this doesn't happen it's been a funny story at least. Back in the real world, time to set the alarm for 4...

So Joey Barton is willing to take a pay pay cut to join Everton. Please god, no, no,no!

As a lifelong bluenose, the crap we put up with is bearable, but not that twat.

No Barton at Everton

Just say Noooo!!!

The fact that some would want a clause to be able to ditch him in the case of unacceptable behaviour just demonstrates the risk!

our squad is well renowned for its togetherness, good team spirit and friendly vibe. Why on earth would we want this thug to come and spoil all that? I think the catalog of offences that Dominic (456) points out in the start of his post - are enough to suggest we should keep well clear of this mindless hooligan

Crap? Forrest Gump? Now Neville Southall is by far & away my favourite all time Everton player and I love the guy, but really? Joey Barton has had his well documented problems, and is clearly a bit nuts, but Neville wasn't exactly sane half the time either - albeit in a very different and less damaging or offensive way.

I think he's way off the mark, even though I enjoyed the article about his comments and posted the whole thing myself earlier in this thread, but crap? Barton is and always has been an extremely passionate & talented footballer, and were it not for his indiscretions, could have had a far more glittering career.

I don't agree with any of the negative comments about him in this thread at all. He's a driving force, a midfield general and can play as well as tackle and disrupt the opposition. Peter Reid, Tommy Gravesen, Lee Carsley, all similar players in that sense and I'm of the opinion that if his head is right then he has the potential to be a brilliant signing.

Forget all the Twitter bullshit, that's not relevant at all, and despite all the headlines for all the wrong reasons over the years, Barton has been outstanding for Marseille - sent off once in the league and once in Europe, thats two red cards in 30 games. We've had players with worse records - Fellaini for one yet everyone thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread.

Joey Barton could (could!) have been a great player without all the nonsense and I for one would back him to the hilt if he came to play for Everton.

People talk about a lack of loyalty in the game, and here's a guy from the city who wants to come & play for half what he could earn elsewhere, and for a lot less than some decidedly average players on our books already yet people are saying it's a bad idea.

Of course I can see why - his misdemeanour's have always made the front page and he's clearly no saint, but I think he could drive our midfield and give us the steel that our lightweight midfield needs. We've been bullied out of every game we've played against the top sides in the league for years.

I'd love to see Barton getting stuck into Gerrard on derby day, and geeing up the Goodison crowd along the way. Say what you like about him and all the incredibly stupid things he's done over the years, but aside from all that, the kid would bring a massive amount of passion to games, and I have no doubt he would love every minute of playing for us.

Sign him I say, give him a chance to prove people wrong on a short term basis for a season and see where we end up. If he messes up, then so be it. If he takes the opportunity and plays his heart out for the cause, then you wait & see Evertonians love him for it.

I am on the same thread agreeing with Tony Marsh #508. Fuck me all things are possible

Tony Marsh 508...you say..

'So JB has smacked a few people and has been a bit wild at times who hasnt?'

I can only guess that it was not a relative of yours that was severely beaten outside McDonalds in late 2007...an act of such violence - he received a custodial sentence.

Tony there have been times where your principles and forthrightness are there for all to see,,,

However, this time I am going to ask you to take a look at yourself and that comment

I want him, if Roberto wants him, then I want him twice. Get off the high horse shit.

If he comes and not only scares the shit out of Stevie G lar in the derby, but scores the winner, then he'll be a legend, aka Dan Gosling.

You see this good team spirit, togetherness, good vibe shite, it's all getting a bit, well, girly.

Stop it, please.

ps. Kevin Tully 'Gerard strolling round scoring fuckin hatricks' Spot fuckin On mate.
You see, some people are winners and the rest are losers.

James

He's had numerous chances to prove people wrong, guess what, he's failed every time. The fact Barton's got to the grand old age of 30 and he's having to tout himself out to us for a free transfer tells us everything we need to know.

Mark,
the Marseille fans loved him.

Mark - he's done really well at Marseille from what I've been reading today. Well liked & respected by team mates and fans.

I agree with you that he's had loads of chances and it's a really good & fair point. I just get the feeling that perhaps (and maybe this is me wearing my blue tinted specs here) he's finally matured, and that coming to play for us, he might well stay on the right side of the law & laws of the game.

Oh OK, I thought it was 1973. My mistake.

James Marshall...

Football is not played like it was in the 70s/80s.

Here's how it pans out:- 5 mins into the Derby, Joey crunches Stevie G... the blues roar with delight – Stevie G looks at the ref....the ref duly obliges and shows a red.

It's then 10 v 11 for 85 minutes.

Yes, I agree: steel in the middle is needed...but let's have some brains to go with the grit.

I think he could be good for Roberto Martinez to be honest. Two personalities at either end of the extreme. Roberto is very mild mannered and likeable whereas Joey is not only a bit of a nutcase, he's an Evertonian nutcase.

So when the going gets tough, as it inevitably will, the mild mannered manager is going to have an ally.

By the way, have you seen Fellaini strolling around the park like it's a kickabout with his kids lately?

We need drive, enthusiasm, I don't mean kicking the opposition up the air. People need to stop dwelling on that aspect of posts, as well as ideas about the way Joey Barton plays the game.

He has a lot more to his game than simply kicking people, and so did my post.

James (Marshall) - totally agree that we need steel - but Barton will not be providing that from the dressing room as we are down to 10 men - or from the stands when suspended.

He's a marked man - opposition know how to get him sent off and the refs duly oblige....and he has not the nous to see it and adapt

Fair point, James. He has done well recently with Marseille though.

Peter Foy (583) you are having a laugh aren't you...Martinez has a team to manage and matches to navigate...bollocks to focusing all his attention on dealing with Barton.

He's a nutcase...but an Everton nutcase...not the most compelling argument

7 yellow and 1 red with Marseille in 38 games. What do you expect, Lineker?

James,
Duncan Ferguson had a similar temperament, and he's still considered a legend.

A nutcase personified.

Why would Roberto have to focus on him anyway? Unless he's on the pitch.

Peter, in highly charged games with bite, with intensity, if you were Martinez you would be thinking will we end up with 10...you would start to make contingencies in the event of Barton being possibly sent off...you are then moving your focus away from the 11 to the individual. He's just not that talented. I agree we need steel but brains too

Great programme on the BBC at the moment about Swansea - Martinez obviously played a big part in their rise.

James,
I agree, but I think you're totally underestimating the man due to the bad media coverage he's had. Let's face it, at least he's not racist or sexist, or ageist or well I can't think of any more ist's.

He's just a lad from Liverpool who's generally less inclined to take any shit from anyone that thinks Everton are taking a knife to a gunfight.

Joey Barton would be a good playing addition to the squad as far as I am concerned. The temptation to say it would be lovely to see him snap Gerrard in half in a derby is there too, but I suppose the reason people don't want to see him at Everton is excatly because this is the type of thuggishness he is known for, so I would feel a slight bit hypocritical to say that would be a good thing - maybe its the cherry on top though!

However, I have a sneaky feeling he is a player entering into what would be his last contract at the top level, and has finally matured enough to realise that the dream move to his boyhood club would be the pinnacle of his career and an opportunity he wouldn't want to fuck up. I think this could be the making of him as a player and a man.

I loved seeing the bite of players like Big Dunc and Tim Chaill, and I reckon if he were to knuckle down he could seriously be one of the Premier Leagues most effective midfielders - its just whether he could stop doing wankerish things...

I do honestly believe that the opportunity to play for his beloved Everton would reign him in somewhat in terms of that wankerishness and - like others - I would love to see him play for us assuming there was a clause somewhere, so should the demons take over we could bin him off without Su*r*z risks to our reputation.

As others have mentioned, the days of our powder-puff midfield (Fellaini included, he is NOT the dominant physical presence that some people seem to believe), would be over.

Barton and £23m+ for Fellaini, plus the few million that would be saved on Fellainis wages (even factoring in what we would pay Barton) - yeah I'd probably have that if we got to spend £10-15m of that and putting the rest to pay a bit of the crippling debt.

I would take the risk personally.

Barton is a loose cannon ball on and off the pitch.

Too disruptive and too much of a risk.

There is not a single poster here who would not love that moment when they read the Everton team-sheet and see their name printed there, and in our most wild dreams the team-sheet is for the away derby match.

Everton have a legion of "Lost Blues", players who made their name in red instead of the Royal Blue Jersey.

Ian Rush
Steve McManaman
Michael Owen
Jamie Carragher (FFS his life ambition was to score for Everton!)
And the one that hurts the most (because my mate coached him as a kid and tells me just how big a Blue he really is inside)... Robbie Fowler

Can we just allow ourselves to imagine how very different the record books would read had our "Lost Brothers" only pulled on the Royal Blue Jersey?

If Roberto can do just one thing for Everton, and that was to end this Legion of Lost Blues, then I for one would worship the ground that he walked upon.

Joey Barton is not Hannibal Lecter. He has behaved attrociously in the past, he has a rare football talent and he's a Blue.

I recall us signing a crocked player from Bolton, a rednose, but he had some attitude could "look after" his team mates and could play a fair bit too, he was no spring chicken but his grit was essential in the best Everton side I may ever see: Peter Reid.

Could Joey step into Reidy's boots? That would be some rehab, Joey, that really would!

Free transfer, pay cut as well... where's the risk? I would take a gamble and make it clear: let the club down and you're out. No doubting he's a talented player, he loves Everton and would be that bit of steel we need in midfield.

Suarez, Cantina, Gasgoine, Ferguson, Bellamy, even Fellaini with his elbows, all class acts but all had the self destruct button. Yes, I would take a gamble on Barton; nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I think Big Nev has summed up Barton - Forest Gump- Brilliant!

The 'Joey Barton to Everton' runours crop up every year just like the 'Michael Owen to Everton' rumours used to. I never wanted that charisma bereft bobble head smarming up the bench at Goodison purely because, despite his declarations of fitness, it would only be a matter of time before the inevitable happened and his hamstrings exploded again. The same applies to Barton.

I think he's a decent player. He could add a missing element to our midfield with his tenacity, passion and drive but those positive attributes are far outweighed by his propensity to go 'proper radge' and place himself and the club he's currently representing into a regrettable situation. He just can't help himself and, in my opinion, is incapable of ever changing because whatever it is that sets him off is so deeply ingrained that it will never stay dormant for long, despite his claims to the contrary. Let's face it, Barton has been 'rehabilitated' more times than Norman fucking Bates. He just chooses to dress in a footie kit instead of his old queens frock. If he ever signed I'd be sat there expecting the screeching violin strings to kick in every time he set foot on the pitch.

James Mcpherson @ 574

The little toerag outside McDonalds who was beaten up by JB wasn't a relation of mine. You see none of my family would be in town at 4:30am shouting abuse at a proffesional footballer as he made his way home, minding his own buisness.

I know exactly what was shouted at JB on that occasion and, if it happened to me, I would probably react the same way.

Little Gobshites hanging around the streets abusing people is okay with you then, is it, James?

What Mark Frere (576) said. Decent player but he just can't be trusted to stay out of trouble. He loves the limelight too much and the press will have a field day.

Big no for me.

Everyone says he has a bad reputation but in 300 games he has only been sent off 7 times. (Granted he has 77 yellows too!!!)

Everyone seems to be focussing on the off-field antics.

I still hope it comes off. We need a orrible niggly bastard in our side.

We are way too soft as a side and need someone with attitude.

If it's set up well, this could be a very good deal.