Joey Barton is not an easy man to please. After a fantastic team performance against Manchester City, many R's fans were basking in the glory of running the world's biggest-spending side so close, before losing out to the odd goal in five. Not Barton. After the international break, he and his team-mates are now preparing for this weekend's trip to Stoke, and he told www.qpr.co.uk today: "I couldn't really say it was an enjoyable break. "Even though we played really well and gave City a real good game, we got beat and took no points from it. "So it was disappointing from that aspect, but the level of performance was good and there are a lot of positives that we can take from it. "If we can get anywhere near that level against Stoke tomorrow, we'll be disappointed if we don't take something from the game." The R's go into the match at the Britannia Stadium in 11th spot, with their hosts one place below them in the Premier League, and Barton added: "The key to survival is beating the teams that you are going to be up against in that battle. "If you can take points off the teams outside the top five or six, then you've always got a good chance of staying up. "It's about trying to win the mini-league we are in within the Premier League." It remains to be seen whether Neil Warmock continues with the same formation that nearly bore fruit against Manchester City a fortnight ago, with Barton playing in the centre alongside Alejandro Faurlin. For the former Newcastle man, he is ready to operate in whatever role is required of him. "I am happy to play in whatever position I am needed," he said. "I thought Shaun Derry was very unfortunate to lose his place. "He hasn't played badly, it was just the change in the formation which has led to him being out of the side, but he works so hard at his game that I am sure it will only be a matter of time before he is back in the team. "Ale is a really good player, and it makes playing with him so much easier." The Potters will be looking to end a run of three straight league defeats tomorrow afternoon, including a 5-0 loss at Bolton on their last outing. But the R's Captain is one man who won't be under-estimating the task ahead. "Stoke is never an easy place to go to," he stressed. "They are a very good side, and very efficient. They have been having a bit of a bad run of late, but I don't know whether that's as a result of an accumulation of playing in Europe. "They are more of a wounded animal now. Knowing Tony Pulis and the way he sets his teams up, I think they will come out of the tunnel ready to rock. "They will be more difficult to play on the back of that Bolton defeat. They are not the sort of team to lie down and die, and I can't see any reason why they would start doing that now." http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2519409,00.html Joey is growing into his role, this is how a captain should sound like Now go out and beat Stoke Joey, c'mon you R's!
The most sensible interview he's given this season. Maybe he can see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Sounds good, I like his attitude. He's starting to sound more like our captain, I'm looking forward to the rest of this season. Good times.
He obviously reads this board (could even be a secret poster on here) because everything he's said I've read on here not once not twice but hundreds of times and a lot more besides. Unveil yourself!
Finally he's starting to sound like OUR captian. Give him time and the club will grow on him the way it has on us
I was filled with dread when I read the title of the thread. Pleasantly surprised when I read the content.
yep he is good with words now walk the walk he has however gained a merit mark from me as he knows the score if this is a correct quote of course "If you can take points off the teams outside the top five or six, then you've always got a good chance of staying up. "It's about trying to win the mini-league we are in within the Premier League." 5 points between 17th and 8th
Thought he'd make a good skipper from the outset. Poacher turned gamekeeper comprises useful ingrediants for the role. Joey has the budding leadership qualities to help to gel the newbies in January. Good signs imo.
