Have to speak against both Rangers and Norwich posters on this thread cos it seems a few on both sides are dodging round facts plain enough for all to see.
First off, we need a skipper and Joey B is our best available option. Taarabt's a good, possibly even great player when he's in the right mind - but he's no captain. Neither is Faulin nor anyone else - except perhaps Shaun Derry who's unfortunately far too fringe these days.
Whilst Joey's action in squaring up to Johnson was unwise, there is no evidence of a headbutt. One commentator suggested spitting but no evidence of that either. Judgement made on misinterpreted bad reputation. Barton might have been a thug off the pitch and he's done time for it, but his record on the pitch isn't at all bad.
Some of us despise Barton for that off pitch rep but for me he's worked tirelessly game after game, taking time to settle in and increasingly producing some good stuff, culminating in the goal against Canaries.
The fact is we've got the right 'ump cos we're pretty **** most of the time and have been since this time last year. The Faulingate thing didn't help and we only just managed to stumble over the line for the title.
Love Warnock for what he's done for us as I do, I can't help seeing his faults in team selection, formation, lack of plan B and a poor sense of right subs. For me, playing two or three holding mids simply brings teams (not just Norwich) into our third of the pitch where mistakes can and do happen. Far better to strengthen the attack and make opponents sit back and defend a bit. The best sides use no more than one anchor man, three attacking mids and two strikers - especially at home in winnable games.
You'd think football managers know these tactical basics but with our Neil I'm starting to wonder... In this Warnock needs to hold his hands up rather than going on about match officials all the time. Him saying Johnson went down when he clearly didn't just reduces my confidence in him.
As for the Norwich fans, you're on a roll, great manager, adequate well organised team, won the game, taken all six points off us this year not to mention four last year - and you still want to be madder than us venting our frustrations. What's all that about? Ask yourselves ffs. Is there a grain of truth in some sort of inferiority thing going on: something about last year's title maybe; or deeper concerns about London / Londoners?
All I know is if we were fortunate enough to be in your position, I wouldn't be on here winding you lot up - I'd be out on the razz jumping for joy!
That's it from me. Seconds out. Round 94!