I don't think that labelling the two miscreants together is unfair at all. OK, so perhaps you are differentiating between the respective desirability of messrs Barton & King on the grounds that the former's baggage weighs considerably less than the latters. I am simply expressing the opinion that the club's de minimis 'baggage bar' ought to be considerably higher than where Barton is, let alone King. Happy to agree to disagree with you.
Barton has thumped people/brawled on the pitch too hasn't he? edit: Just began posting some stuff from his wikipedia page, there's too much though!
I really do understand your argument Uber but can't agree You're saying that you wouldn't of had Paul Gascoigne, Tony Adams, Paul Merson, Maradonna, George Best, Eric Cantona, our own Bradley Orr etc etc etc at Loftus Rd then? I can't have that. *****philes, murderers, sex cases and all perpetrators of serious crime have no place in football (or anywhere in society for that matter). I don't consider Barton to be in that bracket.
Please God no. We don't need a thug that would be bound to cause disharmony in the camp. Sure why not Diouf at that rate.
Bakes, whom I'm now convinced is perpetually doing, is on the wind up here. As for Barton, he's a scumbag. Granted he's a scumbag who can play. But is he worth the bother?
Not on the windup at all Swords. Granted I'd have to put him on some sort of contract that could be terminated if he ****ed up. I just think he's not as bad as his reputation makes him out to be, and as a footballer he's a top class performer and I'd love to see him in the hoops. Seems I'm hopelessly outnumbered though
Got 28 days for beating a bloke up outside a nightclub.... Also headbutted Louis Carey (his own teammate) on the pitch
Barton's one of the most respected players in our dressing room, he inspires those around him to raise their game with his desire and commitment, and he has great technical ability. Fair enough if you don't want that reputation on your club (we cop it both barrels with the media anyway so frankly I couldn't care less) but he'd improve your squad no end. I'd be gutted if he left Newcastle.