That's a little harsh AAAAAGH, NW did what he could with what he had at the time. Agreed he lost the dressing room but it was worth the gamble with JB I feel, even if it did turn pear shaped.
In response to QPAAAAAGH's little tongue in cheek slight at erstwhile Barton apologists, gotta fess up, that's me that is. Whilst I wasn't that interested at the prospect of us getting Joey, have to admit I was overjoyed when we did (it'd been a long, long famine!). Against Roller's pious objections, I could see the bad boy come good by putting a bit of backbone into us. That hope endured unabated throughout a season full of running records and over ambitious misplaced passes; into the void that saw him rightly subbed against Liverpool and benched at Sunderland; and out came the sunshine again with some sterling performances right up to the minute he went potty at City with us sitting on the brink of relegation. Me Captain Fantastic fantasy suddenly plummeted into nightmare. A real Ranger could never have let himself lose it with the club so precariously placed. Tbh never gave him much thought after that, till that confessional in The Times. What a total plum. Yeah Barton obviously - but I'm actually talking about me! You're right AAAAAGH, stock's dwindled right enough... 'Scuse me mrs, any chance you'd sew a shirt on this button for me!'
You can say that players are only in it for the money, and you'd be quite right. That is why we all do our jobs. However they don't all come out and say "Money doesn't matter to me" as Barton did on his twatter account at the beginning of last season. Remember at the time he was giving away his collection of watches or something. This was at the same time as he was, by his own admission (now), only at LR for the money. That makes him a hypocrite or a liar. Probably both.
The other thing I was minded to put past y'all is to question this apparently common perception that money equals mercenary equals don't really care... In recent years, I got persuaded to join a new-ish rather ambitious firm. Intake deal weren't all that but it was a great big blank canvass with loads of scope. After a couple of years of nightmares with the MD, I put meself about and came up with a sweet little alternative on a much better deal with a guy I admired greatly. Wound me projects up at the old place, handed me notice in on Christmas eve ready for a start at the new place a month later after a nice break. Turned out MD was furious about the resignation and after weeks of negotiations, agreed to continue on a promotion and a well decent uplift. Now, two years later, I'm the ultimate company loyalist. Short of an absolute shut down, wouldn't dream of working anywhere else. Nowt to do with the money. The project's amazing and the chemistry's perfect. To me, this explains the difference between a mercenary like Barton and a soldier like Mackie, Faurlin, Hill, Derry etc.. Worlds apart in the scheme of things. Sure we all need money - but also a place to hang our hat. They're not all mercenaries, believe me.
Joey Barton fights with opposition during Marseille friendly after diving into heavy tackle via @Telegraph http://soc.li/KvFrSrh #qpr
I agree with what you say when it comes to the honest hard working man.....BUT footballers are NOT this way, especially footballers that are at the top.....ones that are used to picking up pay checks weekly, which most men will never see in a year or even their lifetimes. These same footballers fall into the age scope of 20-30, an age where you are still fairly immature as an adult (I fall into this catergory) and its all about flash cars, big watches and girls with fake boobs (see my avatar ). Their careers are only 10 years or so long earning that and they get acustomed to a certain quality of life.....after that 10 years the gravy train ends and they want as much money as they can, because most of them are too thick to invest it in anything other than depreciating assets (expensive cars) and expensive jewelry and clothes for their money hungry leeches (wives). There is and always will be an exception to the rule, but when you see Eto moving to the highly racist Russian leagues for £500,000 a week or Drogba off to China (who even watches Chinese football apart from the Chinese??) for £250,000 a week then you realise that its ALL about the money. We would all probably do their job for free......they certainly wouldnt.
Well argued point there Franck. Nicely put and a good read too. You spoke of exceptions to the rule. Very much doubt you'd include the likes of Mackie, Faurlin, Hill, Derry, Scholes, Giggs, Gerrard, Carragher etc. etc. in the small minded, cynical, mercenary category. All certainly loyal and care about their clubs regardless of boyhood affections, and there will be many more like that floating around the leagues. Just wondering where the line's drawn - and why? Which camp does Taarabt fall into for example (probably more to the mercenary end of the spectrum I guess)? You don't have to answer. Doubt many of us would be able account for why some care about their employers and others don't. As Barton says, he knew he was just here for the money from the outset - and it didn't feel right...
Average player with the ego of god knows what,never wanted him in the hoops.he promised He would change and foolish people believed him he will always be a complete tosser.
Like most other professions footballers are of course first and foremost interested in earning as much as they can. But you only have to look at players such as Taiwo during his way too brief a loan period with us last season to see how there can still be passion along with the filthy lucre. Always gave 100%, always encouraged other players and even us fans and always played with a smile on his face (when not snarling at the opposition). As supporters you can still get behind this type of player regardless of their income or how loyal they are. If anyone (Mr Hughes?) can explain to me why we did not retain this top bloke I would be much obliged.
The pictures tell all you need to know, great attitude and a wonderful character. Became my fav player towards the end of last season, such a shame he wasn't kept on if possible. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
We still talking about Barton!!! The bloke is no doubt a C*nt and a half. Nevertheless, in most of the games he played for us his performances were vastly better in both terms of effort and abilty than his replacement Captain Commercial has produced for us yet.
I've got it down as about evens Oz. Both run their socks off, Jason's the far more accurate passer and Joey TALKS - even if most of it is bollox!!!
The most telling thing Barton says is that he never felt right at QPR having left a club he loved (Toon) and that he was only here for the money. Lots of us said that having watched his first few games. We knew he didn't give a **** about us, yet others tried to defend him!
what exactly are you trying to say bob of course they all came for the project whats the story about telling the same lie enough times
so in a short space of time you quit one job got another with a better deal then went back to first job after you were offered an even better deal well done you mercenary
Sorry for the late response, I didnt get a chance to look on here last night at home and Works new Symantec Cloud Web filtering limits my usuage. I wouldnt include the likes of Mackie, Faurlin, Hill, Derry, Scholes, Giggs, Gerrard, Carragher etc as they are all players that share two important common qualities and thats "passion".....and more importanly a lack of self importance....all of them are also an old fashion type player....getting stuck in, never diving and feining injury, these sort of players will give everything for their side and is one of the reasons they have come as far as they have. Regarding Tarrabt, as much as I love him as a player, he is 100% a mercenary (he even mentioned he originally was using QPR as a stepping stone)......if Arsenal or Utd came calling, witha a bigger pay check he would be gone before you could say QPR. I guess you only feel you owe your employers something if they have done something for you personally.....looked after you and so you feel you owe them something. As at the end of the day an employer is just a company paying your wages in exchange for your services. Unfortunetley in football, people take it personally....especially the fans and they expect every player who puts on the shirt to be as passionate as they are about the club; sadly this isnt the case and so many people are shocked when they find this out. Look at Man City.....they are full of some of the greatest players in the world.....why? Is it because of their world status, countless trophies and cabinet full of Premier league Titles?.....NO its because they pay the best and money talks in football.....nothing more and nothing less.
Another good response Franck. I think from what you say that, if we see the point in minimising the cynical (don't really care enough) mercenary attitude, it's incumbent upon the employer and therefore the management too, to do something for each new player personally, e.g. above and beyond the wage deal. In that sense, them having a specific role in a longer term club development plan would seem to make all the difference. It gives them the opportunity to achieve club legendary status, something for their memoirs perhaps, something that says 'I'm a somebody somewhere'. For such players, money matters but cannot be the be all and end all. Barton said being here just for the money didn't feel right - and that's why. All he can say about his time here is that he was captain once and then lost it because... he cared so little that he lost it (in every sense) when it mattered most! Taarabt on the other hand, has two choices. Remain the mercenary he has been, chase what money there is and leave as as an also ran; or take the opportunity the club have offered (e.g. get his act together and become a real Rangers legend) before moving on with full credit to higher pastures. That is the difference isn't it? There are far more opportunities and fulfillment involved in being a genuinely loyal soldier than indulging in the short term returns that come with maintaining a mercenary attitude. Good discussion points. I think I've learned a bit about the modern footballer. Cheers mate.
PS......... I miss Taiwo's character and infectiousness AAAAgh. He had the makings of a legendary sooperhoop. Shame we let him get away.
