Joey Barton

[MadAmster]

I don't enjoy pundits commentating on games at all, male or female, so it doesn't bother me what their "experience" is. Even with my school day / Sunday league / 5-aside experience, I know how to kick and head a ball, I don't need an expert lecturing me about it during a game.
Stick to telling me who the players are, some interesting stats, and a bit of adrenaline when things get exciting, and I'm happy.

They need to do something to fill those 5 minute gaps while VAR is deciding whether the little toenail was 2mm offside or not...

[Andy_Faber]

I don't enjoy pundits commentating on games at all, male or female, so it doesn't bother me what their "experience" is. Even with my school day / Sunday league / 5-aside experience, I know how to kick and head a ball, I don't need an expert lecturing me about it during a game.
Stick to telling me who the players are, some interesting stats, and a bit of adrenaline when things get exciting, and I'm happy.

Not suggesting they’ll talk any old *******s to justify their existence are you?

[MadAmster]

Not suggesting they’ll talk any old *******s to justify their existence are you?

I don't believe it was a suggestion Andy...

[Ramshank72]

"They talk any old *******s to justify their existence"
Ramshank, 12/12/23

[ramAnag]

I'd say Barton was a Pollock who sometimes let his clear talent come out to play, but that talent was wasted in the personality containing it.

Exactly.

[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.

[SithHappens]

Such a knob

[ramAnag]

Such a knob

Bit harsh, Sith. I agree he gets carried away sometimes...and can be a bit over critical and excitable, but his politics are usually sound. Oh...sorry...you were talking about Barton!

[GUNTERYY36]

JB is right to point out that televised football has an inordinate number of female presenters, pundits, commentators, etc. There is an increasing female presence among the 'experts' that cover games so the accusation of tokenism is well founded. But tokenism in the game is nothing new. All featured games, PL or WSL, have their fair share of token blacks giving their expert two penneth about how round a football is. One form of tokenism is condemned while the other is taken for granted.