I need to qualify what I am about to say. I don't like him and I don't want him back at QPR. Do you think Joey Barton showing the commitment that he did at the very end of last season made a difference to our end of season? Before team spirit is mentioned what actual team spirit do we have now? I think he would have demanded more from the team and maybe just maybe made a difference.
In short, NO. We were Jekyl & Hyde. At home we were indomitable. Away we never turned up. With Barton or without. The season turned on our comeback against Liverpool.
Marseille look certain to be in the Champions League next season, somehow I don't see the lure of Loftus Road being decisive. I think they'll do a deal for him...
I think the question wasn't 'Would you have him back' but 'Would he possibly of made a difference' (Forgive me if I'm wrong)
Definitely no. Our season turned last year with the substitution of Barton against Liverpool and he showed his lack of leadership/basic morality on the last day of the season
Thank you Staines. I definitely don't want him back. I just feel he may have added some spine to what has been spineless if he could have played like he did AFTER the Liverpool game. Barring Man City game.
I don't think we'd have won some of those games at the end of the season without him. He wasn't anywhere near as bad for us as people made out IMO and always wanted the ball and never hid unlike some however **** he was playing. Personally would have him over any of the current 'midfield'.
Yes, he added some grit and determination but what he took away from the team negated that sadly. After Tony telling him off on twitter, his contract will be terminated and 'he won't be back'!
Barton no way ... Grit isn't the way of this league ... It's a game of chess and composure . The players at times tried too hard ... I agree grit works look at an on form Stoke or West Ham but I believe QPR were trying to put together a skillful footballing team under Hughes followed a bit by Harold I believe our major fault lies in poor composure and concentration leading to loads of mistakes .... How many times did we give ourselves too much to do? When we held sides then we did a lot better and grew into the games .... Watched West Ham and Norwich even WBA all average footballing sides but they believe what they are doing . Our belief that quality would shine through never happened because the team were rarely together as one ... That has to be down to the manager . This squad at QPR has massive potential and yes some players aren't good enough but the majority are excellent players Each of squad would fit in nicely at other clubs and posters who pour too much blame onto individual players are wrong Too many square pegs in round holes It's why it's so baffling Be interesting to see how it all goes from now on ... Fans will renew hope get a team together and I am sure they will perform well in the championship
I was saying this about all last season Watford. He may not have been as good as many thought he was going to be, maybe he like most others was paid too much, and he was always likely to see red whether because he went mad with rage, the opposition got him sent off, or the Refs sent him going because of who he was, but most games except Liverpool home and 1 or 2 before that he was both the glue and grit of the team, and he covered more space than anyone, the stats showed that. Still don't want him back becaase he'll get the Reds, but would like someone else with his playing ability.