qprbeth, a fine idea; and not inconceivable either - especially as he's got Tony Fernandes' ear too [and before anyone beats me to it; yes he bit it off 'Tyson style' ]
Lets try and be positive, we have 6 games to to secure a decent play off place, by which time we could have a strong team to compete in the play offs, including hopefully a match fit Charlie Austin.
So just fir the record..again..I despise Barton as a person and his 1 good season with us does not excuse his past...IMHO. But, there is no denying that we do seem to play better with him in the team and he does actually try and put some effort in. i consider him a very average player who has found his level, but if him being with us means that we are more likely to win, then i can tolerate him for the good of the team.....for this season anyway.... i wont lose any sleep when he leaves and will be disappointed if he is with us next year, but as i say, if it benifits the team then so be it. if only we could transfer some of his effort and drive to some others we'd benefit greatly....... credit to him for the way he has tried to turn his life around and become accepted by our fans, but sorry..for me that boat has already sailed. just my opinion.
Forget what we all think; Mike Parry has upstaged everyone on Twitter with a foul mouthed rant this evening....
There have been far worse players this season but please let's not fantasise about JB: - He has played every game this season where he has not been banned or injured but this has not influenced us to a huge success. - Even in a season where he has been relatively well-behaved he has had more yellow cards than any player in the Championship. - His pass completion rate is atrocious (no stats for this - just the observations of a season ticket holder).
I'm sure you could dig out equivalent facts that support Austin or Simpson being more crucial to our success. Neither is a natural leader so that would render any factual debate on JB's leadership skills redundant...?
Joey must be back on Saturday We are missing....Ned, Clint, Bobby Z, Kranky, ONeill, Jenas How many will be back, will Austin be good enough for a whole match? We have to get 3 on Saturday.... Getting desperate now
Whoops. Spot the part timer! I heard Luke Young was playing and assumed it was in place of Simpson. I was sobbing into the washing up bowl while the other half was updating me on how much Ipswich were winning by and we were losing by so didn't follow it extensively. [hangs head in shame]
Returning to my original point - another game lacking a leader on the pitch. Another defeat. If - as expected - Joey Barton returns to the first team on Saturday - I will stick my neck out there and predict a home win against Forest. Unfortunately, for the first time in a long while, I cannot make the match on Saturday [someone please send on my regards to my favourite barmaid in the Coningham Arms please]. In my absence, I ask you all to watch carefully; and you will see Joey doing the talking on the pitch, even if we concede. [In fact watch even closer if we go behind and see how many players he engages with - fist on heart encouraging them]
