There are a number of 'bad boys' currently playing football - Andy Carroll has previously been charged with assult and there was an incident with his ex girlfriend in which he was arrested. He since transfers for £34m and could become an Anfield legend. Joey Barton has served a 77 day prison term for assult and then there was the incident with his Man City team mate. self proclaimed best english midfielder and playing in the prem The list goes on - Marlon King, after smashing a women in the face was sacked by Wigan, has served his time and now just transferred from coventry to Birmingham Lee Hughes who has finished serving time for killing someone in a car crash through dangerous driving and the latest Hearts Craig Thomson who was convicted for lewd behaviour. These are just a few. We have of course witnessed trouble first hand with the Nathan Dyer/BWP nightclub incident and with the charges against Lee Barnard, though i stress Lee has not yet been found guilty of anything. Where do we stand as supporters towards bad boy players. In the cases of Barton, Hughes and King, if they have done their time and taken their punishment then is it ok to cheer their name every Saturday. Or are these players role models and clubs need to take a stronger stance. I think back to the last few weeks Dyer and BWP were with Saints. They took some stick, quite rightly and i dont think anyone was too disappointed when they moved on. Both these playes had very good seasons last year especially Dyer who is some kind of hero with the Swansea fans. Did they go too cheaply on the back of off field issues. As a sub topic there is no doubt Jason Puncheon is good on his day - he has not committed any crime but is said to have a bad attitude and many supporters want rid. Again as long as they give 100% and are good players does it matter what someone is like off field? Interested in your thoughts...
Would always depend on the crime. A one-off spur of the moment incident for which punishment is undergone may be forgiveable, though the original club may prefer to move the player on. The difference is when the crime indicates a serious personality flaw, such as the Hearts player. Wouldn't want him playing for Saints, not even if he could guarantee us promotion to the Premiership.
Whilst the players effectively get paid for their performances on the pitch, that covers only a fraction of their time. Although I don't claim to have amazing inside knowledge, I know someone who was good friends with a player in the squad at the time when BWP and ND were knocking around. I won't go into specifics but it seems they together plus a couple of other players were having a cancerous effect on the team. A small clique had formed where players weren't towing the line and seemingly were not that fussed about results. Many people reading this will know what it's like to work with someone or a few people who think they are a cut above and it becomes tiring for all involved. Over the past 9 months I have learnt it not nesc. the big names we need, but the right players. It's clear that Cortese does not want his pants pulled down over the price of any players and to be fair, Nigel doesn't seem like he would suffer idiotic/poorly behaved players gladly. Although I'm slightly concerned about the legally underhand approach arsen-hole appear to be taking, I trust the right thing will be done long ter ...
would you have been happy if we brought Marlon King? If Lee is found guilty -should he be given a second chance?
saintharry - agree that negativity and the cut above the rest attitude is not what we want and spells unrest in the team. If the player is that good on the pitch - should that still be a factor to get rid
Its always a toughie that one - the first club to sign the player after the jailtime..... even more annoying when they have taken the gamble on him and he then leaves them in the lurch without even a fee. feel for cov supporters over that one. i do agree with some of the comments here that it often depends on the crime, the hearts players is just wrong, whereas barton is a continual offender and i even read today that andy carroll beat up his brother in law last month on a yacht then kicked him off and made him get his own way back when the man is broke.... its tough with lee's case because without knowing the absolute full details then we cant really judge. from what i heard the person who started it was unbearable and insulting, on the flip side he shouldnt have done what he did....but i wasnt there so cant really comment.... i wouldnt show him any animosity and probably would welcome him back if he goes down, as long as someone pays the price then its ok to forgive. st harry i worked at afc bournemouth in the vip players bar and once or twice talked to leon best and mcgoaldrought when they were on loan.....i honest to god know what you mean about bwp and dyer as i will put money on them - and blackstock - being in that 'clique'. arrogant little ****S
i am playing devils advocate here a bit but is that to be expected in football with the high wages etc, is it not the normal. i doubt you could find a team without someone with that temperament. Is there such a team where every player is perfect in every way. i am guessing here but Cole and Drogba at chelsea, Rooney at Man u, Defoe at spurs, Gerrard at Liverpool all have a bit of arrogancy about themselves and have probably upset one or two of their fellow professionals. The point being they are professionals and should get on with it. you wouldnt not buy Drogba incase he upset someone.
Couldn't possibly confirm or deny any other names ... But it seems people have got the general idea. With regards to individual cases, BWP and ND were caught red handed and it went with other behind the scenes stuff and they were told they wouldn't stay at the club for a combinationof things. Will judge Barneys case based on facts when they come out in court, so much BS appears in tabloids. With regards others like MK, I think the club has got to draw a moral line somewhere and stick to it. It's amazing how many fans put up with poor behaviour/morals/attitude when they are desperate for their club to win for what they class as a valid reason. For example, I'm sure there were a few Coventry fans were annoyed when MK arrived, but they found themselves in the **** and needed him to score goals and avoid the drop. We are finally in the privileged position to choose a type of player that fits what we want, not just choose a random withbad attitude. With regards MK, personally I would not have been happy, and think many others would have felt the same...
If they've been jailed, they shouldn't be playing football professionally again....just my two pennies...
Agreed, while some could use the argument of they have done the crime and done the time, not me.... Football is a simple game that should be played by players renowned for their skills on the pitch-end of story. The whole Wayne Rooney, John Terry arrogance really bugs me, but they are like little kids.... They will do it for as long as the powers that be allow it.....
I'm not too bothered if Saints sign or have a convict, I just want to watch the football and if they're good I would have them.......KEEP PUNCHEON
There is that Goodwillie bloke we were supposed to be interested in, looking at his profile on Wiki he is a very badwillie!
History - i am kid of in agreement in that i think Saints reputation is what matters most but is tempting isnt it that if for example Kings goals would ensure promotion to the premier league then you would want to sign him?
It is interesting to read various comments on here regarding people who break the law. I think sometimes we have to remember these are youngsters we are talking about in the main. Lads of between 17 and 22. The most vulnerable age in which to be caught up in silly "smell of the barmaids apron kind of things". "There but for the grace of god go I" is a well known saying and a very true one. Who out there can put there hand up and say "when I was that age I didn't do or get involved because my mates were involved" in a scuffle or something slightly illegal. I don't mean going around robbing old ladies.........I mean just being there got you involved. It is true in my young day there wasn't that much fighting in pubs and clubs although there was some. I truly think it does depend on the cirumstances, and having an understanding of situations that people can find themselves in. That does not mean I condone violence of any type......just under certain circumstances it can jump out at you and bite your bum. So I think you need to look at these things more open minded perhaps and except that something sometimes is done out of character and on the spur of the moment.
