Nope look at my firs post. Counted 4 times in a row that he gave the ball away. And he did it plenty more times than that over the game. As much as there are people that like to cristise Barrton based on his past, his passionate fan club on here are very quick to use this as a blanket defence to criticism against him, in that if you donât think he is the best thing since sliced bread its: I certainly cant be accused of having an issue with Bartonâs chequered past. Could bump a couple of old threads where I have defend him against criticism of exactly this. With me its simple- he gives the ball away far too often. Leicester and yesterday particularly so. He was rubbish yesterday. Too say MOM the match contender is a joke. The only person who can claim to have had a genuinely good game is Phillips and maybe BAE. A look at the early posts on this thread Even his supporters acknowledge this flaw, but its ok because he tries hard. I appreciate that he puts effort in but cant stomach the excessive and undeserved praise. When he got sent off against Leicester there were idiots near me singing âthereâs only one Joey Bartonâ?!?!!?!?!
Peter.............I am not and never have been a Barton supporter. However, to say he was rubbish yesterday is ridiculous imo. His work rate and ball winning rate him a 7 out of 10 imo. His passing has always been dodgy for the reasons I gave above.
Did you then count all the times when he didn't give the ball away? Probably not. I've seen plenty of Barton this season, and I'm certain that without his presence in midfield we would not be anywhere near our current position.
10 yellow cards and 1 red card this season. We have had no one else sent off and Dunne is the next highest collector of yellow cards, with a mighty 3. (Actually our disciplinary record looks really good). From what I have seen most of his yellows have been for mistimed tackles. He is forever seconds away from some violent outburst which would be a minimum (with his past) 4 game ban. 2 goals and 2 assists to date. 31 years old. If we really think he is what makes this team tick, we've got problems. Of course, this team doesn't (usually) tick, with or without him, and thats not his fault.
Supporter - too strong a word. But where one of those giving him an undeserved pat on the back and potential boost to a already inflated ego Okay maybe to say he was rubbish is harsh but average at best. Good enough to warrant a thread talking about how great he is. Definitely not!!! This cult status is bewildering
Have to agree with Col. Barton broke up a lot of play yesterday and his work rate stood out. He plays a leading role for us.
What hasn't been mentioned is the balance of the midfield/strikers is and has been wrong for most of the season. Barton's role has been different for certain games and so he isn't always playing where he is most effective, he was more withdrawn yesterday which isn't his best position in the team. Until we do get this balance right we are going to get more of these stuttering performances. Sometimes he is trying to get us forward simply because we are going nowhere passing sideways all the time...
I guess that's the nature of cult status - it's always based around an individual who's personality makes them divisive. Not that I would regard myself as a Barton devotee: I'm just acknowledging a player who in my opinion has been very good for us more often than not this season.
A good point. People hate this, but a holding midfielder is very important and the only one we have is Henry!
I've noted this a few times myself. There is a huge difference in our play when Barton plays in a 4-4-2 or is allowed to go box to box. Playing him in the 'quarter back' role in a 5 obviously asks him to protect the defence at lot more and to play a greater number of passes, which is partly the reason why some go astray.
Good holding midfielders can be things of beauty Col - Matthaus, Rijkaard etc etc. I'd be happy with one 25% as good as them. Ale could have made it, if he wasn't cursed. They have to be able to pass as well as anticipate and tackle. Henry can't do any of these, it's like playing a 5th defender who is crap and gets in the way of the others. Barton's original position was right side of midfield, where he played for Newcastle. Think he did in the first game of this season too, but not since as far as I know.
I agree about Henry, but we have no one else to play there. Faurlin would have been perfect. It's a bit of a problem, as one up front is not working and you really need a holding player when you only have two central midfielders in a 4-4-2/4-4-1-1.
Anyway, back to "our Joey" I wasnt trying to compare him with Messi, merely to caompare his style of play against a more technically biased player. the point being they can both put in a lot of effort and whilst one may run more making crunching or last minute tackles, the likes of maybe BAE, Bale, Xavi etc still put in as much effort but it shows in a diffrent way. ( I'll expect some fall out over BAE) I think the game needs both types of player and although i am massively against Barton even being at our club, I acknowledge the work he has done on the field for us, that no-one else is doing. Doesnt mean i like it but he is playing his part in a team thats 3rd in the league. Despite his passing, we do lookl better with him than without him (god i hated typing that) & until we get a decent replacement ,of which there MUST be many, we'll just have to keep supporting him. I guess like Adel, he'll always have his lovers & haters !
