In defense of Joseph Barton

Ares

Joey Barton attracts a lot of abuse amongst the football community, but I feel a lot of it is undeserved. Sure he's had his share of incidents in the past but who hasn't? Is what Barton has done any worse than what the much admired and loved Ryan Giggs has done, or indeed the much admired John Terry? I would say no. Barton has always been a man with family at the very heart of his moral fibre. That, for me, is more important than brawls outside of a nightclub.

He is an abrasive player but he is also a very good player, who in another era would have won far more than the two English caps which he has recieved. He was exceptional for Newcastle in their first season back in the Premier League and continued his fine form when he moved to QPR and had some heroic performances from midfield. Yet people constantly overlook his footballing ability and judge him on his off the field issues, which are then used to castigate his on field play. A very unfair methodology I think.

His usage of Twitter has shown that he is an intelligent young man and he is veyr much a family man as said earlier, with his wife expecting their second child. He has been one of the few footballers to have an openly pro-gay stance. Again this indicitive of the strong moral fibres of the man. Most players in the Premier League would be afraid to stick their head above the parapet but Joey doesn't care, he stands up for what he believes in and isn't afraid of anybody.

He has come into the spotlight in the last few days over the Didi Hamann row but I feel the abuse he is getting as a result of this is completely uncalled for. Hamann was sticking his oar into something that absolutely did not his contribution and he got called for it. Perhaps the next time he feels like attacking a footballer he should perhaps get his own house in order.

ush

Ares wrote: »

Perhaps the next time he feels like attacking a footballer he should perhaps get his own house in order.

Joey or Didi?

GLaDOS

Ares wrote: »

Sure he's had his share of incidents in the past but who hasn't? Is what Barton has done any worse than what the much admired and loved Ryan Giggs has done, or indeed the much admired John Terry?


His usage of Twitter has shown that he is an intelligent young man

You're being sarcastic yeah?

Outkast_IRE

ScienceNerd wrote: »

You're being sarcastic yeah?

I hope so, a fella throwing the odd quote from a book onto twitter doesnt make him intelligent, it makes him someone actively trying to get people to think hes intelligent.

maximoose

Again this indicitive of the strong moral fibres of the man.

Obvious troll is obvious.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Yeah, sure haven't we all assaulted people and stubbed cigars in their eyes.


I don't see why anyone would feel the need to defend him as a person.

bullpost

Maybe, but how often do you see footballer and book in the same context?

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

I hope so, a fella throwing the odd quote from a book onto twitter doesnt make him intelligent, it makes him someone actively trying to get people to think hes intelligent.

DB10

Strikes as a post looking for a reaction.

super_furry

He's a poor to average player who is a convicted criminal with a string of distasteful attacks and assaults behind him, who somehow sees fit to look down on all those around him.

Turtyturd

Ares wrote: »

His usage of Twitter has shown that he is an intelligent young man

Not really, reading through that row and he appears to struggle with the English language.

DB10 wrote: »

Strikes as a post looking for a reaction.

When this happens OP it's time to give up.

RasTa

Who cares..

Corvo

In fairness, he has done some horrific things during his time in the mentioned spotlight.

People are quick to criticise Roy Keane for similar actions (on the pitch at least) so why not Joey?

Mars Bar

Even the devil wouldn't advocate such a thread.