"A bunch of bouncing Babes they deserve to be knighted.."
So Joey Barton’s available on a free transfer and all of a sudden he’s lauded as the ideal man to bolster United’s midfield.
Well call me old fashioned but I’d rather see the Djemba twins Kleberson and David Bellion rejoin the club than the former Manchester City man.
Here’s ten reasons why I believe he’s got no place wearing the cherished jersey of my religion.
1. In 2004 Joey Barton famously stubbed out his cigar at then Manchester City youth player Jamie Tandy.
Tandy was subsequently released by the club and late battled alcoholism and depression. In an interivew with the Mirror Tandy revealed:
“When I was in rehab at Sporting Chance part of the therapy helps you to discover where your alcohol addiction comes from,” said Tandy.
“Alcoholism often runs in the family, but there was none of that in my background and, when I looked back at when the drinking took over, it all stemmed back to that f***ing Christmas party.
“At the time Barton hadn’t been in trouble before. People thought it must have been my fault because he didn’t have a reputation back then.
“Well people know the truth now, don’t they? He was fined 60 grand and I kept quiet. In the end it didn’t matter because City decided that I was the one they had to get rid of.”
2. In 2007 Barton violently attacked a man outside MacDonalds in Liverpool.
The midfielder was sentenced to six months Sentencing the Judge Henry Globe described the attack as “violent and cowardly” and branded Barton a “disgraceful coward”.
3. In 2004 Barton caused a mass ten man brawl in a pre-season game against Doncaster for hacking down an opponent prompting a public rebuke from Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan.
4. In 2005 Barton was involved in an altercation with a 15 year old Everton fan and ended up being fined eight weeks’ wages.
5. 2005 was a busy year for Barton as he broke the leg of a 35 year old pedestrian while driving through Liverpool city centre.
6. In 2009 with Newcastle struggling near the foot of the table, Barton returned after a three month absence to play Liverpool. The midfielder was sent off for a lunge on Xabi Alonso which saw him receive a straight red and a ban for the remaining three games of the season.
7. In 2007 Barton was suspended by Coty for a training ground but up with team mate Ousmane Dabo, which saw Dabo hospitalised.
8. In 2006 Baron dropped his shorts to Everton fans at Goodison Park.
9. In 2010 the FA punished Barton for violent conduct for punching Blackburn’s Morten Gamst Pedersen -hardly the most cynical player- in the chest.
10. He’s scouse, one in our team is more than enough to be honest.
Ever heard the expression “you’re not fit to wear the shirt……..”
You lot make me laugh. You list ten examples of Barton being aggressive as your reason for not wanting him, but you labelled Keane a hero for years and you’d have a player like him back in a flash.
He’s not half as bad as he used to be, look at the examples listed, 8 of them pre-2010. The lad could probably do a job for you lot as he simply can’t be worse than Carrick, plus getting him on a free is much more in line with your contractual agreements with the bank, rather than splashing out 35m on Sneijder.
Barton may not be world class, but he’s a much better midfielder than carrick, fletcher and gibson! Before anyone questions that 4 goals and 9 assists in a mid-table team supports that argument.
reasons to sign him and i mean in addition to a quality creative midfielder not instead of
1) his been fairly quite for the last few years and has maybe learnt his lesson
2) SAF would be able to deal with him and he would have no problem chucking him into the cold if he steps out of line.
3) his FREE, which is a bonus with any player.
4) his actually a good player that would add something to our midfield.
5) his age, his in his prime, his got experience and will be a good stop gap while bring the kids through.
6)you sign players for the big occasion but Barton could be great for those tough away days against the smaller sides.
although i see the reasons not to sign him the fact that we dont seem to be adding a big money combative midfielder means that i would snatch a bargain and it might help force gibson out of the door. who is a nice lad but is lampard, a tough shot but sub-par in everything else.
also dont get me wrong i have a list 6ft high of defensive/combative midfielders i would rather sign but they all cost money, are wanted at there club and most dont have prem experience.
Barton helped Carol to reach his goal tally, that earned Carol a ridiculous price tag. If that is true, then he is worth it.
The reason he is not an International player is because his face doesn’t fit, nothing to do with ability. Look at the rubbish MF England have choosen in the past. Welsh and Prem “self acclaimed “star” Robbie Savage earns a good living playing at his level in a lower league and talking gibberish on the radio, he has no talent other than to annoy and wind up the opposition.
I believe Barton can do a job for MU as Gattuso does for Milan. MU have no enforcers only wind bags and papertigers,Anderson,Fletcher,Carrick??? Before anyone talks of the virtues of Carrick, remember he was bought to replace Scholes. A creative MF, now he runs in front of the back 4 looking busy, passing 3 yards sideways, GREAT ! Anderson has 1 good game and 3 ordinary. Does anyone think Fletcher is an enforcer? Keane never did.
Yes the game has moved on from Keane’s day, as Barca has shown, all their MF are enforcers, creative and talented. Can Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher get in Barca team? or any top European team?
Why not try Barton, SAF has bought a lot worse in the past !
Barton usually gets kicked out for punching a taxi driver or something. Being critical on your twitter account doesn’t sound like the actions of a violent headcase – it sounds like something Stephen Fry would do.
If Barton can avoid drunkenness and violence in Newcastle, he must truly be a reformed character.
I don’t think he will come to Utd. He’s more a player you want if you’re battling relegation. We are only being linked because we have a midfield with no backbone, and we’re flat broke.
He’s a product of City’s academy, but they got shot of him when Sven took the reigns. The only thing about him that’s remotely Utd is that he shouts at referees.