I feel sorry for Joey Barton.

Hey, Liverpool fan in peace.

I would just like to say that I really like Joey Barton as a player, I think he has talent and a great determination on the pitch. But I really feel sorry for him. Firstly because he will never get to play for England (debatable whether that's right I know, but surly every one deserves a second chance in life), but mainly because of the way he is treated by opposition players. I feel Barton was bullied and provoked by Arsenal yesterday in a serious attempt to get him send off. They are targeting him and taking advantage of his past troubles. Arsenal were very unsporting yesterday, and Sagna should have been sent off with out hesitation.

I genuinely think Alan Pardew needs to ask the FA for referees to protect Barton or things could get worse. It really is in the best interest of the game, and that applies to both teams on the field.

I know its not just Arsenal who have done it, and teams used to do it to Wayne Rooney as well. Its not fair on any one.


How do you guys feel about this?


These are my genuine feelings.

 

It was Song not Sagna, I kept making that mistake too

But yes, I agree that he needs to be protected because the refs just use his past as an excuse to try book him every tackle. It's not fair considering the likes of Wayne Rooney, John Terry etc get special treatment despite what they've done in the past.

 

Half the Arsenal team look the same.


Its not just damaging to Barton if he gets provoked either, any one could get hurt. As we saw yesterday, it was not Barton who acted violently, but if Barton had had protection that may not have happened and the game would have been nicer. No one wants to see what we saw yesterday with Gervinho (who also looks just like Sagna and Song....).

 

true

 

The way he was treated in last seasons draw with wolves was disgusting and the MOTD that followed was even worse. You wouldnt see a compilation of any other player getting kicked all over the park met with laughter.

 

I don't remember that MOTD, but its sounds shockingly disgraceful.

 

Wasn't he put on the deck seven times in that game?

 

At least on MotD this time around his case was considered, that if it were the other way round people would have been calling for the death penalty.

 

i still dont see what he did wrong, id be pretty pissed if someone had tried to buy a penalty yes he shouldn't have grabbed him that angrily but he should definatly have only got a yellow, i love how Wenger claims nothing happened when song stamped on Barton, how typical is that.

 

The French prick would have been all over the officials to get Barton sent of if it had been him doing the stamping instead of being stamped on. It was a straight red if ever there was one. Barton could have been out for the season.

 

Going to be a bit fruity next week. Catts v Barton. Just have to have a bet on one getting a red. Can't wait.

 

agree his treatment that day was nothing short of shocking and the pundits on MOTD should have been bollocked but the sad fact was as it was barton he was fair game.

 

Definitely a case of one thing leading to another, if the stamping incident had been addressed the other players would know the ref wasn't going to allow the game to continue in such a manner, and may have performed accordingly.

 

Nothing much will change regardless of pleas to the FA/Refs. Being brutally honest I've managed a few teams locally Sat and Sun, and I'd have been telling my players to wind someone like Barton up. The good thing is now, Joey is quite cute and seems to be useful in giving it back in spades. I honestly think the Song thing is getting blown out of all proportion. He stepped on his leg, he didn't stamp on him. Although it hurts a little, the intention is to wind somebody up more than anything. Hence Barton and Song having a laugh and hug. After the initial angry reaction, Barton realised what he was up to. They obviously understand each other is a competitor and I think he gets on better with some of the Arsenal lads better than people realise. At the end of the game when I watched the highlights back, Song actually bumped him with his shoulder after the game when everyone was shaking hands, they both had a wry smile. This is sport and professional sport, players try to gain a mental advantage.

To be honest with Song and Gervino, I'm not really interested whether they get bans etc. All in all I thought the ref dealt with the things he saw very well. Its been and gone, Joey dealing with it well too. I'd probably prefer they were available to play against other teams. I'd much prefer Barton kept off Twitter though! I do get what you're saying though that if the provocation continues, it is a little unfair and could lead to other issues. And before anyone starts, I'm not condoning standing on peoples legs, just saying it does go on and its not the same as stamping on someone.