I for one was excited at the prospect of Barton playing for us. I assumed he would be our Vinnie Jones and add steel to the middle of the park. But I have to admit he is my biggest disappointment of the season. He is neither enforcer nor creator and has failed to live up to his reputation. I am beginning to feel that we were his only option and he has no allegiance to us and just plays so that he doesn't get injured whilst berating others for no more commitment than his. Also SWP was an exciting prospect but sadly hasn't again lived up to his reputation, and is nowhere near the player we thought he was. Macheda I thought was a good loan but again has done nothing. Where is he anyway? Is it that they are good players and we are not playing to their strengths or are they just not good enough for us. Norwich and Swansea have bought players and they have proved good buys, so do you think it is the players or us that have failed so far.
Good points 54. I was hoping Joey would be a Roy Keane figure for us. But I still believe we have (potentially) a very strong team, once it clicks, which will be next Saturday. MH is still teaching them the system, which Norwich and Swansea have had right from day one.
I'm probably seeing the game better on HD TV here than you are behind a post at LR, AAAGH! I was at the Chelsea and Stoke games which we won, next up is Bolton with Cisse and Diakite back, and our next 3 points is there. No doubts...... I see all Barton's faults and as I've written many times on here, MH should have replaced him January when it was proved he was poison, and the window was open, but other than Diakite, MH didn't get in the defensive central midfield players needed to replace Barton, Ale, and Derry. Your post just confirms there is nobody now to replace Barton who is as good as he is in that role. Mackie and Smith as central defensive midfield alternatives are as big a joke as Martin Rowlands is playing there now! Diakite will hopefully be able to play alongside Barton there. Derry is clearly not as good as Barton IMO, however much a better bloke he maybe. Just as well he is pulling out of some tackles too, we are getting enough players sent off as it is - Who is tackling more than Barton? Only Hill now I think. Players have to try and guide opponents away from dangerous areas rather than flying in with half dangerous tackles now that Refs are barely allowing tackling. Nobody is getting around the park as much as Barton on our team or the oppositons. If Barton is giving Adel too much stick MH needs to stop him. From comment made by MH he seems to agree with Barton, or chooses to support him in public anyway.
