21/03/2012 by David McIntyre Manager Mark Hughes defended Joey Barton after the controversial midfielder was booed off by the home fans during QPRâs win against Liverpool. Bartonâs stock among the Loftus Road faithful has been steadily declining in recent weeks and he was barracked as he was substituted with Rangers trailing and seemingly destined for another defeat. They fought back after Bartonâs withdrawal and his replacement Jamie Mackie netted a dramatic late winner. âJoey wasnât having the best of times and a few maybe felt the need to boo him,â said Hughes. âHeâs very strong and it wonât affect him. Heâll play a big part in what weâre trying to do for the rest of the season. Tonight just wasnât his night. âJamie when he comes on always gives you huge energy and I felt we needed that momentum. âIn fairness to Joey heâll always want the ball and doesnât hide. It just wasnât happening for him.â Hughes also revealed that Armand Traore, who was taken off at half-time, has a hamstring problem which does not look serious and will be assessed on Thursday. Let's hope it isn't serious!
Made a great cross field tackle which incurred the injury - important player for us - fingers crossed
Yeh Goldhawk I agree! That was a great tackle, especially when you realise he was playing left back and got over to the right back position before Adam! He had a few good crosses first half too. Taiwo did very well in his place.
Agreed. Taiwo did really well. This is where strength in depth comes into play as the season progresses
"He’ll play a big part in what we’re trying to do for the rest of the season." Please Mark no.
Kenny should have cleaned that up. Traore saved his blushes there and got hurt in the process. Traore is key for us and hope he is back soon.
Disagree with Hughes about Barton about hiding, if he had a spade he would have dug a hole and hid. He did not want the ball and could not wait to get rid of it when in possesion with alot of negative passing.
