New to forum, wanted to give my thoughts on the game. 1. Barton shouldn't have been sent off. Unless it was spotted by the fourth official, there is no accounting for the delay. The fact that the charge seemed to change from headbutt to intent to headbutt suggests no one saw what happened. 2. IF there wasn't any forward contact/spitting from Barton, Johnson should be punished in some capacity. I feel this more strongly after the 'breath stinks' display, which showed a vulgar lack of class and yobbishness which isn't needed (lambert to stick him in the reserves for a while maybe.) 3. No one can say for sure what actually happened. Replays show a fracas with Whitbread and Johnson and Barton before the incident. They show a kick by Johnson, however it is preceded by Barton throwing an arm back at his head. Its a pretty clear case of 50/50. Once Barton steps into Johnson, he's made a unfortunate mistake, making it much harder for someone not to see violent conduct, due to his proximity. 4. Grant Holt didn't seem to be egging the ref on, rather his response to the red card for Barton seemed to pretty clearly be 'oh for f''ksake' Johnson didn't go to ground, nor did he run over to the referee reporting the supposed incident. If there was no contact and he did intentionally overreact, after the crime he is guilty of not setting the record straight, much like Henry was. If this was proved to be the case, he should be punished. 5. Barton is not very bright, or is very selective with his memory. His actions in September will be remembered by refs. He decided to ref the game himself by judging Gervinho to have dived (after watching MOTD he admitted he got it wrong), manhandle a player to his feet with his fists up around his face, and when slapped on the side of his head in retaliation, thought for a few seconds, then collapsed to the deck clutching the front of his face. He then sat up, with no apparent ill affect to watch the fall out, and even lied, by miming a closed fist punch. His reason given after for his performance was that he'd do anything to get the win for his team. To start talking like a saint on twitter about reforming the game and how unfair acting is is just ludicrous. His account of the build up in the Norwich game makes no mention of him throwing his arm back violently. He talks of suing the ref, and needing justice. It's like he doesn't remember Sept at all. He also claims to have watched the replays 25 times to see if he did headbutt him. Surely he shouldn't need to do that, as, he was there? Sounds like he thinks he didn't aggressively throw a head butt intentionally, but isn't sure of his actions. It doesn't sound like he was in control, if it takes 25 viewings to remember what he did 90 odd minutes ago. 6. Warnock's comments are not surprising but woefully inappropriate considering the player he is defending. Barton has reacted much worse in similar situations, that he has instigated. His comment that you should be 10th or 11th sounds like a man who is a bit fearful for his job, and attempting to deflect criticism onto the fates, not him. His selection for Norwich was wrong, if he'd setup for pace from the beginning it could easily have been a strong 3 points for QPR. I think QPR are a great team who have hit a bit of a bleak patch at the moment. It will pass and they will survive. Norwich have a great squad mentality and play a physical game. If Johnson is found to have play acted like Tierney did, he should be ashamed and punished with a fine and/or suspension. Until there is clear evidence for this though, this will not be the test case that starts the reform of football. I think we need action to be taken retrospectively, ironically as Barton suggests on twitter, except we need it to taken against people like him, and Tierney, and possibly Johnson. Until that exists though, players will continue, (to the detriment of the game) to do what they have to to win the game for their team.
i bet joey is pretty happy when stuff like this crops up as it gives people a reason to talk about him as nobody is likely to talk about his football. also, i see he failed in his appeal. hardly a surprise and pretty daft to appeal really. time for everyone to move on now. still lots of football left this season to enjoy
I agree with most of what you say- especially the photo posted by Johnson. However, I do have a couple of things to add: the replay (unavailable online as the FA seem to have put in copyright claims everywhere) which is best is the angle up the pitch, from behind the ref, shown by MOTD, shows Barton moving his head forward though not fast. Barton has admitted that he touched Johnson on twitter. As you say, still inconclusive though. The other thing I don't understand is the baying for Johnson's blood. A dive is worth a yellow card. If he had dived, he should get that and Barton will get his punishment rescinded, end of. There is no need for some lengthy ban. Fine him absolutely- that's what Rivaldo got, but banning seems very strange.
agreed. i confess i don't know the proper way to punish diving, as it seems to never be used. I think Lambert should do something about Johnson's behaviour at the darts though. His behaviour on the pitch is questionably wrong, however his action off it is undeniably so. No room for egos in the first team. Plenty in the reserves mind!
Give him a break he's new to this. Our moderator will remove you from the thread when he sees it. DAVE?!!!?
im sorry, as i said rangercol, i'm new to the board as of today. If its been decided that this topic is no longer open for discussion so be it. If you read what i put, i don't just accuse QPR of everything and say Norwich are spotless. I suggest anyone one should be punished for deceiving the ref, Johnson, Tierney or Barton. Didn't think that was that offensive a suggestion really. I go on to praise QPR, and say that i felt you could have beaten us with your squad quite easily. But thank you for telling me to '**** off.' That's a very nice way to be welcomed to not606.
To be fair, he has a point. Isn't this rather ill-timed after we've been telling them to move on? (It's on their board too)
ncgandy, like i said if its been agreed that this topic is done with, then i missed it when i scanned through the boards. I joined yesterday evening, so have not been part of this discussion until now. I'm not swearing at anyone, damning teams as being all inbred, cheats, scum or taunting teams that they are going to get relegated. As such i feel i'm offering a legitimate view of the situation. but if that's not the case, please go ahead and delete all this. Seeing as how the only debate from the otherside was to tell me to **** off, its probably for the best.
best just post on the norwich page battersea. i thought it was an interesting article but to be fair to the qpr fans on here, they are sick to death of the subject and they are not alone!! bad timing i'm afraid
Yes, I agree, and welcome to you battersea, always good to have another canary on board. It was just the thought of inviting more low-grade insults that made me shiver!
I'm sorry for the abuse. I realise you're new so welcome to not606. As others have said....it was just really bad timing.
Ease down Col mate. Battersea's new and didn't realise the issue has been done to death. Apologies Battersea and welcome to our seething cauldron of a forum! Personally, I think you've summed the situation up extremely well and in a balanced way given we're all loyal and bound to look after the interests of our respective clubs. I'm not normally given to regionalism but not surprised the by the clarity of a south Londoner talking west London v Norwich!!
fair play, and cheers for the apology, didn't realize the hornets nest i was kicking! Best of luck for the rest of the season, i think you guys will be fine, and i look forward to a good non-controversial two games against you next year hopefully!
To be fair, it may have been talked to death, but Battersea gives a well reasoned argument and I thought it was a good first post! It's great to see a Norwich fan state that the whole fracas was more of a 50/50 - a bit of handbags that really shouldn't have resulted in any punishment. Johnson, Whitbread and Barton possibly a booking each, but didn't think it even deserved that. Spot on about Barton too. Hypocrite doesn't even come close! No need to close this thread, especially as he's obviously put some thought and time in to writing it. If this is indeed the end of it, then good luck for the rest of the season Canaries. If we do get to play you next year, it could be another spicy encounter!
hey Brixton, i'm from norwich originally, acting work has just moved me to London and Battersea for the last few years. Love Brixton, have many good friends there.
Apologies all, just got in, batersea, welcome to not 606, but in future, if you wish to include another team, can you start it on our forum, then add them in, otherwise I have no moderation capabilities Brix, I apologise, this will calm down soon, perlease
