Barton saga a bunch of hogwash
Roar Rookie By Baz, 28 Jul 2012 Baz is a Roar Rookie
The man was handed a 12-match suspension for attacking three players on the final day of the 2011-12 English Premier League season. Now QPR are trying their best to reduce the penalty by around three weeks. How can they do this you ask?
By sending Mr Joey Barton out on loan to a lower division team of course.
Having been left out of the QPR squad currently touring Asia, Joey Barton has just commenced preseason training with League Two side Fleetwood Town and there is talk QPR are considering making the move an extended one.
Possible cup ties aside, QPR won’t play their 12th fixture until the 17th of November, Fleetwood on the other hand will complete their 12th fixture towards the end of October.
Meaning that if Barton is allowed to move to Fleetwood town, he could potentially be back in the Premier League three matches early.
At this stage the main issue is the if. QPR must apply to the FA to allow Barton to move clubs, but the FA may reject the application is they feel it is an abuse of process – basically they need to prove exceptional circumstances. Cue the Barton PR team hitting overdrive.
Recently there have been a number of articles about Barton falling out of love with football: following on from a post on his new website:
“I want to re-ignite that passion for the game, something that I ordinarily have an abundance of. No monetary bullshit. No media bollocks (though apparently there still is!). No prima donnas. Just pure, old school, mortgage/livelihoods on the line, balls-out football.
It’ll help me appreciate all that the Premier League offers me now and in the future.
What else can I do? Work hard, fall back in love with the game and keep my fingers crossed that I can once again earn my place in a QPR shirt.”
(Note: this website has popped up only recently, with a number of posts having clearly back-dated to give the site some appearance of authority)
There have even been offers of help from the Fleetwood psychotherapist! We all know that the bloke is a bit of a loose cannon – he served 77 days in prison for common assault and affray in 2008. But does he really need to transfer to a League Two side to get his head straight?
It is clear that QPR have funnelled a lot of funds into this venture and it is no wonder why. Barton is a crucial member of the QPR squad. When compared to similarly positioned players in the 2011-12 season – Barry, Carrick, Ramsey and Parker, he had the highest tackle success rate, number of Ground 50-50′s won and was comparable in most other stats bar passing percentages.
He was the equally most fouled player in the League. And he was their captain.
It will be interesting to see how this whole issue is dealt with by the FA. If they approve the loan deal, it will almost certainly open the doors to further suspension dodging. I’m sure there are many League Two teams willing to ‘help out’ top Premier League talent overcome their psychological or other issues.
But realistically the FA must be privy to a whole lot of information that we the public cannot access and we must see this scam for what it really is. I would like to think that after handing down such a tough punishment, they will not stand idly by as the cashed up QPR propaganda machine swings it’s mighty sword of half truths in an effort to prematurely slice the shackles of Barton’s ban.
As the commencement of the epic competition that is League Two football draws closer, I’m sure QPR’s plans will come to light. All we can do now is wait with baited breath.
I wonder whether Joey will keep his website after all of this?
The Crowd Says (7) | Page 1 of Comments
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July 28th 2012 @ 9:32am
Penny said | July 28th 2012 @ 9:32am | Report comment
It’s a wrong message that is being sent if the club or FA allows this to happen. It will make a mockery of the rules and people will then replicate the wrong behaviour. The club should not even be considering it. Let him do some work in the community or within the club, develop a good profile for himself and prove he is a stable, patient, good strong character. It’s ok to have to start over if you recognise you have done wrong. That sends the right message.
July 28th 2012 @ 2:56pm
Baz said | July 28th 2012 @ 2:56pm | Report comment
You are completely right. Really, responsibility should be with QPR not to test the FA in this way, rather than force them to govern over such matters. A number of the events can be explained as Barton being punished, but when they start talking about sending him out on loan you have to ask questions.
July 28th 2012 @ 11:57pm
Nicholashugo said | July 28th 2012 @ 11:57pm | Report comment
Barton is one of the most talented midfielder England has seen, pretty controversial figure on and off the field, I follow him on twitter and he seems pretty intellectual, shame he allows emotion to get the better of him at times.
July 30th 2012 @ 11:54am
Baz said | July 30th 2012 @ 11:54am | Report comment
He’s a funny bloke. I agree that at times he seems quite switched on and reasonably insightful, but some of the things he has done are just plain stupid. It’s like his brain filter just switches off every now and then. Either way, I still really enjoy watching him as a player – entertainment value ++.
July 29th 2012 @ 4:08am
Axelv said | July 29th 2012 @ 4:08am | Report comment
It’s strange how the instigator, Carlos Tevez gets off scott free.
July 29th 2012 @ 9:40pm
Mick H said | July 29th 2012 @ 9:40pm | Report comment
Such a grub, worst thing I’ve seen on the football pitch for awhile.
Anyway he needs to sort his emotions out because every team he plays this season will be in his ear trying to fire him up and get him sent off.
July 30th 2012 @ 12:06pm
Baz said | July 30th 2012 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
I don’t know if the upcoming season would be different to any other so far. Barton has always been a bit of a loose cannon on the pitch and that is part of his playing style. He will always get in there and have a go. It’s more of the afters that he needs to curb – once the whistle has blown don’t go kicking/elbowing/head butting people…