Joey Barton, Carlos Tevez and punishing players

Having watched and listened to all the fall out from the Carlos Tevez saga this week, there's been understandable outrage from the media. Football pundits have been united in shock at the player's behaviour and called for action from Man City – "It's about time clubs took a stand and made an example of these guys"

Well this is stark contrast to what they said about NUFC over the handling of Joey Barton's 'Twitter-gate' affair, which is surely just as much a show of disobedience as an employee refusing to play. But no, we were crazy to offload a player on a free transfer and at our own expense. Never mind the idea of making an example or not effectively allowing a player to defy and undermine a club, it was pretty much a blanket condemnation for us taking a stand.

I actually quite liked Joey Barton and ideally as a player on the pitch it would have been nice to keep him, but ultimately he refused to comply with the instructions of the club. By criticising NUFC publicly he revealed things about the business of the club that could hinder operation and suggest possible divisions in the camp that could be exploited by opponents. When asked to stop and disciplined, he refused. If I did the same in my job I wouldn't dare go in the next day to pick up my P45.

What can you do to these guys to punish them? We effectively did the next best thing to sacking him, which we know is impossible, even if it meant cutting off our nose to spite our face. If you agree that player power is spiralling out of control, It was the right thing to do and NUFC should have been applauded. Some might say we should have had more support from the FA, and I would agree if I didn't concede that Premier League clubs are reaping what they sew.

If Manchester City aren't careful and go that extra bit to make an example of Tevez now (in a way that only they can afford to do) then they could end up in real trouble. By persuading high-profile stars to snub bigger teams and help them achieve overnight success with contracts no other club in world football can match, they have created a culture where those players feel bigger than the club. It needs them more than they need it and on Tuesday Mancini looked defeated in more ways than one.

Tonight Alan Pardew is reported as having said he'd welcome working with Carlos again at Newcastle, well in this case I'm glad it'll never happen. Mind you, any player capable of refusing to play for the Toon wouldn't make it through the medical!

 

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if Tevez did that here me thinks Tiote, Simmo, Colo, Taylors, Harper, Krul an the rest would have something to say

 

I think regarding Pardew's comments, he is just defending his former player as it reflects badly on him to slate Tevez.

I was going to suggest making Tevez play reserve football for the rest of his time at MCFC, but he wouldnt care so long as he got paid.

 

Cheers guys, and regarding what Pardew has said – I think Smudger has a point and I'm sure he wasn't condoning that kind of attitude from a player. He worryingly suggests it's more common than most of us think and we have had similar trouble in the past from the likes of Dyer, Robert etc at NUFC.

And of course I'm not equating an abuse of Twitter with refusing to play for your club and manager (which is in the extreme), but obviously there is a trend that links these kinds of incidents that leaves a pretty bitter taste. Clubs have to find their own ways of imposing rules and discipline before it ends in total disarray surely?

 

I don't understand how it isn't a breach of contract. Also surely you could fime him 2 weeks wages, then after the 2 weeks were up, fine him 2 weeks again and then again etc. Then he won't get paid, will be in the reserves and still has a contract with the club.

Or everyone could just beat the **** out of him every day at training.

 

The last idea sounds good!

 

You could not pay him for a year and I'm sure he'd still be living comfortably. Just dump him in the reserves until the club decides they want to sell him

 

Remember when it was rumoured Rooney was signing for the Toon and Bell-end went on Sky to say he would consider his options about staying at the club.

As other lads have mentioned Dyer.........fitting to say that was catastophic for the club as Fat Freddie got rid of our BEST manager and put the useless/corrupt Sour Scot in place who at least trousered a couple of million for Boumsong ( that useless piece of **** who was available to Rangers on a free 18 months earlier).........

Only now are we getting back to where we belong