Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton says his career was saved by the Loftus Road fans on the first day of the season. His short career in west London looked doomed after he was sent off on the final day of the 2011/12 season after lashing out at a number of Manchester City players. A 12-match ban and a loan deal to Marseille followed but the former Manchester City man was reintegrated back into the R's team on the first day of this season and is now helping Harry Redknapp's team fulfil their dream of returning to the Premier League. "I knew I was in the squad but it wasn't until the morning of the game that I was told I was starting," Barton told The INSIDE'R', QPR's official magazine. "I remember thinking, 'I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get through this.' "The other thought to go through his head was, 'What will the fans make of it?' "It crossed my mind about what sort of reaction I would get when my name was read out, of course! "What a savvy decision that was from Harry, what a clever move. He was basically gauging fans' opinions. In my mind he was backing me, so he had me on board. But he was also able to gauge the fans' opinions about whether they were prepared to let this happen. "When I think back, it was an incredibly savvy manoeuvre from him, which is what you'd expect from a top manager. "I remember warming up and hearing my name read out. I was waiting for the boos, and they didn't come. I thought, 'What's going on here?' "That was the starting point for me. If I'd have been booed, I think I would have probably gone to the gaffer and said: 'This is not going to work out. This isn't what you need, it isn't what the club needs right now and it certainly isn't what I need'. I may well have found a way of making the Marseille deal come together. "But because I was embraced I thought it might work out. So in my thinking was, 'If Marseille happens, it happens. But if it doesn't, I'm quite prepared to be a part of this'. "Harry knew I was ready. And don't forget I had a completely different frame of mind to what I had when I had left the club. I was confident again." Bless him! http://talksport.com/football/barton-qpr-fans-saved-my-career-14012477074
I'm more sympathetic to Joey than most but could do without hollow platitudes. A move to Marseilles if it had turned out bad but we saved his career? He's well meaning and respectful of where he comes from. He seems like a really nice guy, red mist aside but this is a fairly empty crowd pleaser by him and / or the comms team.
He's given it a real go this season and you can't fault his effort, he is what he is and you just have to accept he's always going to be 'edgy' but if he helps get us up he'll have gone a long way to making up for his stupidity at the Etihad...
If I'd have been booed, I think I would have probably gone to the gaffer and said: 'This is not going to work out. This isn't what you need, it isn't what the club needs right now and it certainly isn't what I need'. I may well have found a way of making the Marseille deal come together so you only have yourselves to blame for him staying
Al i have to say in this 765. Barton thread, that bravo Joey and thanks for coming back. Now i hand over to barton mockers...
To be fair we have been better with JB this season than without. So well done fans for keeping him here for now, it suited our needs. We definitely miss a quality playmaker from the middle (as well as the oft talked DCM) but if we properly sort out our attacking line this window it's an area we can improve in the summer.
Too right Kiwi. I couldn't believe the positive reception he got at the Wednesday game, as I stood in stony silence.
Absolutely. Dad worked in Fleet Street and taught me and my brothers and sister at an early age to not believe everything you are told by the media; keep an open mind, not be drawn by others, make your own observations and have strength in your own convictions. Not that he said it quite like that! But that was the essence. So I judge as I see. I was proud to see Joey Barton showing desire, graft and skill on the first day of the season. An element much lacking from the previous matches I watched in the season prior. And I haven't seen much since to dissuade me.
Have to say that Joey seems to wear his heart on his sleeve and although I've always been in the "against" camp, I'm prepared to take these comments at face value. It can't be a bad thing if he feels he owes the fans a bit eh?
I find the whole Barton situation quite sad really. He is, on his day, a very very good footballer...who adds a huge amount to the team. Even a moderate amount of aggression, when well directed, can be needed on the field. Sadly, that is not what he is known for. Lets just hope the warm embrace he feels from QPR fans will give him the security to stand firm in the faces of those who try to wind him up...and thus enable him to just be seen for his undoubted footballing ability.
Dave, he's a good Championship level player and does through his approach bring something to the team. But that's it, he's an aging journeyman in Premiership terms, which is why (plus his on and off field disciplinary history) he is not playing at a higher level.
This is the bit that I can never agree with. A good player at this level and average at Prem level imo.
