Barton has played well this season, but yesterday wasn't his best. In fact we were lucky to get away with a win, not a good performance all round.
He didn't have his best game, but probably wasn't helped by the super-lightweight Carroll offering nothing next to him. Definitely not MOM though, that's gotta be Austin/O'niel. Re Carrol- he was thrown in the deep end, and should never have replaced Henry off the bat. Hopefully he'll be more gently "eased in" to proceedings from the bench on Wednesday.
...in the Saints v West Ham 0-0 game today, after a Saints substitution, the commentator indicated....."another choirboy looking lad coming on". ....as an aside on Friday I went to see Canned Heat in concert (anyone remember them) in my hometown - they are still going strong 48 years after the band was formed - excellent concert - "on the road again". I had a quick pee before the show at our local Playhouse, and in the washroom a big Newfie guy squeezed by me to pee in the urinal beside me - he said - "it's a bit of a tight squeeze in here", to which I almost responded (but didn't)...."said the priest to the choirboy"!
Harry's first half formation was the biggest problem for Carroll. He needs to play in a 3 man central midfield set-up.
Never saw Canned Heat live but loved them in the Woodstock film -'I'm Going Up the Country...........'
They were right here on my doorstep for just $22 a ticket. I really enjoyed the show, great musicians, same drummer since almost day 1 - they were last here in 1972 and they remembered it was freezing, which it would be in winter! [video=youtube;-Mv3IuUsSi0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mv3IuUsSi0&feature=youtu.be&a[/video] http://www.harvestjazzandblues.com/shows/canned-heat
it will be interesting to see what happens if he gets sent off. Scotland what would you like to see people boo him. at the end of the day people are going to loftus road and enjoying the football again if it brings out a love for joey so be it. you don't have to sing there's only one joey barton.
I completely agree about the midfield 3, so this is probably a moot point- but I don't think it's Harry's fault that the formation in the first half was incorrect (although the decision to drop Henry was). Carroll's two most recent performances for England U21s have been in a 442, and I think it's a fair expectation to hope that all your CM's should be able to function in that formation. Harry quickly remedied the situation at half time anyway, and hopefully a lesson has been learnt. I do think Carrol will come good, and in the game Vs Moldova he displayed exceptional vision, with some truly quality passing ability. His midfield maestro/conductor role is probably hard to carry out without an understanding from your teammates, which was never going to be in place after just one training session. He's got a frustrating habit of gesticulating to receive the ball when he's in very poor positions though, which must be irritating to teammates.
You did indeed mate, and, not unsurprisingly, you got no argument from me. I have actually written something very similar to the OP on a number of occasions this season, but then not posted it because of my dislike of Barton and worry that I'm only seeing him through a jaundiced eye. His freekick yesterday was excellent, his dead ball delivery has also been, on the whole, good, but his play below average. The Barton fan club seem to turn a blind eye to the raking 30 yards cross field passes straight into touch and the 5 yard lay offs that only go 3 yards and really cause the recipient problems. I'm also fed up with watching him throw himself at our opponents rather than try to tackle the ball. In his favour, I have been very impressed with his attitude to the amount of stick he takes from opposition players without complaining. I would suggest that he has made two incisive passes this season, one to SWP leading to Hitchcock's goal against Ipswich, the other to Beckford of Leeds which thankfully was shot wide. I'll admit that I do have my own blinkers with regard to Barton, but I think they are less inhibiting than some of those of this worshipers. Thanks for the OP Scotty, I couldn't agree more.
it will be interesting to see what happens if he gets sent off. Scotland what would you like to see people boo him. at the end of the day people are going to loftus road and enjoying the football again if it brings out a love for joey so be it. you don't have to sing there's only one joey barton.
There do seem to be extremes of opinion regarding Barton, as there were with Taraabt. People (and I don't exclude myself) seem to form entrenched opinions about players and then look for justifications for these opinions rather than being objective. However, I do believe that Barton has been at the core of our improved attitude and effort this season and that he has been our best player to date.
Misunderstanding mate thought you were jibing me about not being to a game before yesterday. Agree re: Carroll. 4-3-3 or even the Tarbs role in 4-2-3-1 may suit him better. Not at all I cant stand people booing their own players. Merely questioning why he's deserving such accolades given his past especially considering his reception at the first game of the season where he hadnt even had the chance to do anything! High praise Roller I appreciate it! Had my own hesitations posting this having not posted in a while but seems me, you, Rrrrrs and AAAAAGH at least seem to be on the same page. We'll win the rest over!
I'd not be too concerned over what I say, but if you've got QPAAAAAGH agreeing with you, you must be pretty much spot on. I can't believe he turned up yesterday and I missed meeting him. Come to the C&S again mate.
