if he doesnt want to play for us its a waste of time bringing him back, we have enough of those sort already
I'm torn on this one but have to admit he's better than Mbia. If he does come back I think we need to wipe the slate clean and get behind him and whatever lads make up our team next season.
He'd be a good Championship player IMO and think he'd put in the workrate. As said by someone else he'll sort out the non-triers. Providing he stays out of trouble I'd welcome him back. TBH we have missed him this season - we wouldn't have played as bad.
Unbelievable revisionism by some people on here. Does relegation cause mass amnesia? Barton has no interest in playing for our club, he has made that clear. His behaviour is both appalling and unpredictable, a recipe for trouble.
If he comes back I guarantee those of you who were baying for his blood last summer and are now thinking 'well, he couldn't be worse than...' will be baying for his blood again within 3 months.
I'm only a member, not a ST holder so this is easy for me to say but I will never pay money to see that **** bag play!
He has started well.
I think not getting SP means we may try and hang onto him but I am certain if a Prem club is brave enough to go for him he would jump at the chance.
Peter Damage, I have not been to HQ this season so far! Go **** yourself!
We are 3 league games in and the window is still open, no surprise he's toeing the line. How short sighted are you???
To be honest, I'm just not that antagonised/offended/upset etc by Joey Barton the person. Everyone's entitled to their opinion but I don't really feel any hostility towards Barton on the basis of his past indiscretions.
Sometimes I get the feeling that he's bottling it all up and suddenly everything will explode - but I guess we'll have to wait and see.
It's a matter of principles, either you have them or you don't. TF have the cash, and is able to pay for his mistake(s).
Joey has made it clear he is not interested in cleaning up a mess he hasn't been directly part of. It would be the start of the end for our great club if he was to return in any other capacity than a shoe cleaner.
School Holidays is it? Very insightful response, I have no need to continue debating my morals with someone I don't know or on currant form, would want to know!
Ps. Having an opinion or morals isn't the same as being 'self important'
Lets wait until October and we'll know if he's the one to lead us ok?
Isn't anyone else suspicious about his new found attitude? I suspect he's putting himself in the shop window. Joey will always put himself first.
Interesting to see people still so divided - but that's what the forum is for... to instigate discussion and opinion sharing.
What worries me (especially for the pro-Barton brigade) is that it's almost certain he will go. As was suggested above, if a Prem club comes in for him he will go, and the reason he is playing so well (and trying so hard) is because his is putting himself in the shop window. Giving people a reminder that (despite his high wages) he has something to offer.
Take his other option... If he was sitting on his arse, petulantly refusing to play and generally behaving like a troublemaker, who in their right minds would take a chance? He has to keep his head down, work hard and prove he is worth the risk... and while he is doing that I think someone will think he is worth that risk (my guess would be Sunderland... or maybe that's just a mischievous desire to see him and de Canio kicking the **** out of each other!)
Nailing my colours to the mast - I would rather he had been shipped out before this season started and never played for us again, and I said so at the time.
The fact that he is still here, and playing, is clearly not under my control (or any of yours) so I just have to deal with it. If he plays well and we win games then perhaps he will win us *all* over (again), but since he is generally only a *** paper away from punching someone, perhaps it's only a matter of time before he reverts to type and the whole dismal cycle starts again.
On further point... he is not the only midfielder in the country (or Europe/the world) that could do a job for us... but my biggest fear is that when he leaves (because I think he will and that's what he is playing well & working hard for) it will be too late to find a replacement.
Good post. Just on your last point, I do think it would be difficult to bring a player of similar quality to Barton to play Ch football. He's not the greatest midfielder ever but he probably is still top-flight quality. That alone would be difficult to replace, IMO.