So our beloved team report for duty Monday morning, including a certain Mr Barton! The way I see it he's backed himself in to a very tight corner. His twitter bollocks included comments where he slagged off the team for lack of commitment, and that they should stick with us in the championship as they were the players that took us down, so they should get us up. He also said he stayed with Newcastle when they were relegated. But then he also stated that he would not be playing football in the championship next year. Now this was obviously when he thought he'd be staying at Marseille, now that's not happening and so he has to report for duty with us. I'm sure I read somewhere that we would let him go for nothing? The stumbling block is his wages which Marseille are unwilling to match, we won't subsidise and it's unlikely anyone else will take the risk. So what's he going to do? He can walk away, losing 3-4 million, or he can come back to a club where most fans won't give him a chance. But I hate to say it, he's exactly the type of player we need in the middle in the championship. I just don't think it's worth the hassle he'd undoubtedly bring. One thing is for sure, if he doesn't turn up bright and breezy on Monday morning, he is currently at Glastonbury, surely it would give us the legal right to terminate his contract, as he himself agreed to new terms which a stated if he stepped out of line just once we could terminate his contract. So what would everyone prefer, a tough player who will dig in but likely cause unrest, or hope he gets crushed in the mosh pit at Glastonbury? I think I know most people's answer.
I would expect Harry to try and persuade Barton to give it a go next season, we need some steel in midfield and Barton would be a proven winner in the Championship. I know many on here would despair him returning, but with the right management and the right players around him he could be asset next season...
Considering this argument, "the steel in midfield we need" against "the hassle he would bring" both strong, well put and intelligent points I would like to add, he is a ****.
Too risky. Too volatile. Too unpredictable. Too unreliable. Too expensive. So, in summary, he'll be back!
No. No. No. Not as good as he thinks he is. Divisive and unreliable. Would rather see us take take 4 years in the wilderness to build a real team than revert to letting this scum pull on the hooped shirt again.
Good post 'TheLoanRanger' ................ I think you have summed up the overall circumstance and thrown in a solution as well ................nice. As you mention, my only problem is what he can do to team harmony. We need to get off to a flying start.
Good post Lone, personally I hate the bloke with a passion and would rather see us drop another division and rebuild than survive a sh**e year in the NPC with him. No chance of rebuilding the club for the future with him in our ranks! That's just my personal opinion though
Barton has you are right backed himself into a tight squeeze. I don't agree with the steel comment as The championship is not a dark hard hell where football matches are like battles ... that is thoughts of our dinosaur talking ... "It's tough it's a very tough league it's not going to be easy blah blah blah" ... the team that builds the best team spirit and plays the best football will grow into promotion contenders ... its not all about steel IMO ... Can Barton play? maybe ... Will he get sent off or suspended? i would put money on it ... will he united the camp?. QPR kept him for a reason ... I still have no idea why? Off the pitch i like him but you are right about how he manages to keep face now and I think he will go to France... this is just about getting money and i hope he gets slatted for it
I think he'd be outstanding in the championship but I told myself that I never want to see him in hoops again after the Manchester City game. But I'm finding myself a bit more open to him playing for us. I would let him play as long as he stays away from twitter and boot him out at the first sign of trouble if he signed a contract with behavioural bounds.
