Joey Barton

[ramAnag]

The only counter argument from me would be rA's assertion that Joey Barton was a damn good footballer, a thug and a poor mans Roy Kean but damn good, nope you've been smoking something there rA!

Otherwise don't disagree with any of the comments - well i might have a wee dig at Af for being snarky about so called quotas - if by that he means the media generally ensuring that all those whose appear in whatever guise aren't male, pale and stale, then don't see what the issue is? It can be argued that some of a different gender, race etc. may have got there ahead of more qualified or better white males, but seeing as as has already been noted, some of those white males in the past weren't that good anyway, the reverse has equally applied.

I do enjoy women's tennis, but think that now they have equal prize money, then they should play 5 sets as per the men, other than that no quibbles with what's been said.

Don’t get me wrong, Swale. I don’t like him any more than you do and agree that Barton is a total tool, a nasty piece of work and yes...a ‘thug’.
But sometimes we have to accept that unpleasant people we dislike have talent and if I’ve been smoking something to reach my conclusion about Barton’s footballing ability alone it seems to have been something shared by the likes of Kevin Keegan, Sam Allardyce, Stuart Pearce, Neil Warnock, Steve McClaren and Harry Redknapp who possibly know more than you or I about football.

[swaledale]

Don’t get me wrong, Swale. I don’t like him any more than you do and agree that Barton is a total tool, a nasty piece of work and yes...a ‘thug’.
But sometimes we have to accept that unpleasant people we dislike have talent and if I’ve been smoking something to reach my conclusion about Barton’s footballing ability alone it seems to have been something shared by the likes of Kevin Keegan, Sam Allardyce, Stuart Pearce, Neil Warnock, Steve McClaren and Harry Redknapp who possibly know more than you or I about football.

Ah so many clubs, so many manager so which would suggest and the evidence backs that suggestion, that whilst he may have had talent, he didn't make the best use of it and hence why I wouldn't consider him a "damn good footballer". Unless of course you can point to evidence of his achievements that warrant this description?

Now Roy Keane for example was a damn good footballer and also not a character I admire. So yes I don't disagree that one does not have to admire the artist to admire the art, in Barton's case unfortunately his character hindered the expression of his art to an extent I would argue he was slightly above average at best.

[ramAnag]

Ah so many clubs, so many manager so which would suggest and the evidence backs that suggestion, that whilst he may have had talent, he didn't make the best use of it and hence why I wouldn't consider him a "damn good footballer". Unless of course you can point to evidence of his achievements that warrant this description?

Now Roy Keane for example was a damn good footballer and also not a character I admire. So yes I don't disagree that one does not have to admire the artist to admire the art, in Barton's case unfortunately his character hindered the expression of his art to an extent I would argue he was slightly above average at best.

Suffice it to say that the number of games he played at the top level suggests he was a lot more than ‘average’. In addition Redknapp described him as the ‘inspiration’ behind QPR’s victory over us at Wembley and McClaren capped him for England.
Not a patch on Keane, but few were and, as you say, both unlikeable characters although Keane seems to have improved where Barton, imo, just seems to have become more pretentious and delusional.
Beyond that we’ll have to differ.

[Andy_Faber]

Suffice it to say that the number of games he played at the top level suggests he was a lot more than ‘average’. In addition Redknapp described him as the ‘inspiration’ behind QPR’s victory over us at Wembley and McClaren capped him for England.
Not a patch on Keane, but few were and, as you say, both unlikeable characters although Keane seems to have improved where Barton, imo, just seems to have become more pretentious and delusional.
Beyond that we’ll have to differ.

Anyone (ie Keane) who celebrates, and is allowed to, on screen by his paymesters at Sky, his injuring, sometimes permanently, of his fellow players hasn't improved IMO.

[swaledale]

Suffice it to say that the number of games he played at the top level suggests he was a lot more than ‘average’. In addition Redknapp described him as the ‘inspiration’ behind QPR’s victory over us at Wembley and McClaren capped him for England.
Not a patch on Keane, but few were and, as you say, both unlikeable characters although Keane seems to have improved where Barton, imo, just seems to have become more pretentious and delusional.
Beyond that we’ll have to differ.

Your definition of a "damn good footballer" and mine are clearly different.

[ramAnag]

Your definition of a "damn good footballer" and mine are clearly different.

Indeed...as are our definitions of ‘slightly above average’. Perhaps I overstated and you understated. Either way...we agree...he’s a prat, and one best ignored now his playing days are behind him.