Just watched the Playoff Final back this evening. Joey Barton was absolutely ecstatic going up to collect the trophy. The guy clearly had a point to prove. Here's hoping that he keeps the lads in line next season. Captain, I presume, come a week on Saturday.
Maybe but I predict a struggle for him in the premier league ... He certainly wasn't good enough last time but if he can raise his game? His corner kicks still crack me up
Big season for Joey this. Has he got what he takes to really be a decent Premiership midfielder? We'll soon find out....
I don't think walking up the steps to collect a play-off medal necessarily implies that the club means something to Barton. Footballers are generally mercenaries; he'd have been pleased to have registered success for himself first and the club second.
I'm not particularly keen on Barton as a person. ( Not that I know him, but in the way that I perceive him. ) I liked Granero though, but only in the way that I've mentioned in brackets. My quick question is... Who would you rather see play for us in the Prem given the straight choice of Barton or Granero?
I would prefer Barton cause he has more passion, hence l'm hoping he has a big year for us. I also hope with the step up in quality that he doesn't become frustrated and flash his emotions like he has in the past. he was great last season cause the opposition wasn't above his standard. I'm a little more concerned for this season.
Barton every day for me. Committed and a leader since his return. Granero was powder puff and I detested him for his indifferent performances.
Would be Barton for me because he's done far more for us than Granero. But I would have liked Granero to stay, he is an excellent player with very good technique, which we are still short of in our midfield.
I think Granero is a better player than he showed in his time with us, and I would have been happy for him to stay this season, but Barton brings more in terms of commitment and will to win.
I like most on here don't think too much of Barton as a person. But he showed last season that he could buckle down and graft for the team. Granero never once looked interested in a hooped shirt, so Barton for me every time.
It's hard to overlook Barton's history. It's even harder for me to understand why many R's supporters are able to focus solely on his grittiness and leadership and overlook his serious flaws as a player: poor pass completion average; gives the ball away in dangerous circumstances; liable to be missing for chunks of the season due to the yellow or red cards that he picks up nearly every game; etc. And yet strangely I find myself more comfortable with his presence this season than any time since he signed for us. After all the ups and downs of the last three years I guess quite simply that he is now QPR for good or bad.
Caught me out last season on opening game against Wed as he looked very good indeed and did play some great football His French trip did him good as has being a Father ... no doubts there I am talking about his football brain but he has played well with Faurlin and at times had the excellent Henry looking after him Some games he is everywhere I cannot fault that and some games he goes missing or seems two grades down from the other players in the match If his built in fuse gets lit then will he react? Of course i hope not I feel he has suffered from believing too much in his skill levels ... his game is all about running and covering ground and that he does very well I have never taken to him for slagging off players with natural skills in our team when he first started ... I like my football to contain high levels of skill so he doesn't fit that bill for me. I am certain all other teams will target him and i hope he now at last steps up and plays his way rather than try and compete with better players He has a name now let the ball do the talking
The question should be who do you prefer Barton or Faurlin as one of them will have to be dropped if we play Mutch as a CM (he is NOT a number 10), and that is a very easy question for me. If we don't get a creative midfielder in we will very much regret selling Granero.
I dont see it as a matter, of regretting selling Granero, if the player didnt want to be here, he is best sold off.
So the Shaun Derry, Clint Hill, Joey Barton type gritty, hard working, although less skillful players, dont have a place in your "team" ??? Well they certainly do in mine. I would venture to say a team made up of a mixture of talented and gritty hard-working players, will out-perform and team, of purely "talented" players.
Football is all about work rate and it's a given but without the flair IMO the beauty of the game is lost and as i said I like my football with flair. Given my time again I would of played in France without doubt as the county league i played in now seems very antiquated a team of bulldogs ( i was one ... no prisoners) in todays game would never compete against a team of slick foxes.... As i was told once by my French coach how can the other team do anything if they haven't got the ball ... Derry Hill and maybe the old Barton are still dreadful players with the ball. Players with work rate and skill will I believe always be better in today's European game. This is a massive mistake IMO why modern football is misunderstood in England. I do accept fully that there will always be a place for a water carrier in the game and to date without the ball Karl Henry looks our best bet. Barton isn't the sort of player that can't express himself without having a minder IMO. Harold is building a steel frame no doubt but my point is it invites people onto us I can tell you that grit invites trouble and relies on luck at times as anything can happen ... if it does at QPR then the fickle won't be able to take it IMO
