It’s all in a name: Why Joey Barton is unlikely to get the chance to cap off a tremendous season
When a 28 year old English footballer is playing out his skin, often carrying his team’s offensive attributes in the absence of three of their key players (Carroll, Tiote and Ben Arfa) and delivering crosses David Beckham would be proud of, all while playing OUT OF POSITION, then it would seem a no-brainer to include him in the next England squad. But when that player’s name is Joey Barton, it seems somewhat unlikely.
Colin Young asked the same question in the Daily Mail yesterday, and also quite rightly suggested how his absence after a three match ban ultimately cost Chris Hughton his job.
Indeed, it was this suspension for an unprovoked punch which filled the tabloids for days to come. Plenty of off-ball incidents go on in matches at the highest levels of the game, many are equally as cowardly and unnecessary. Yet, once again, when the name of the aggressor is Joey Barton, then a whole new rule book comes out.
If Capello picks him it will be based on the fact he has, quite frankly, been probably the best English midfielder in the Premier League this season. That he has played at right midfield, despite being naturally a centre midfielder, shows great discipline, something which has typified what has been his best ever season as well as his new character.
The Premier League’s response to the return of the pantomine villain was evident from the third game in, as Wolves absolutely battered him in a series of off-the-ball incidents equally as cowardly as Barton’s own Gamst Pederson incident. Yet the difference here was that Karl Henry, the main culprit who would later perform a disgusting challenge on Jordi Gomez which sent the victim somersaulting through the air, escaped without punishment until minutes before the end when the worst had been done.
However, throughout all this sheer injustice, Barton remained calm and refused to bite back to Mick McCarthy’s utterly transparent gameplan to wind him up through battery until he gets himself sent off. Unfortunately for him, and no doubt the national media who were just waiting for their favourite villain to snap, Barton didn’t cave in to these antics and we could all detect his changed nature.
Of course, let’s get one thing straight: Barton has sinned. But he has also paid the right price for his mistakes. He has been in prision, picked up suspensions and paid even more for the fact he is a professional footballer. Every ground he goes to has an anti-Barton chant ready, the referees feel it is their duty to give him a yellow card for any challenge he makes, the authorities have that three match suspension stamp ready in their grasp and, of course, there’s always the media.
In other words, Joey Barton has done the time. And more. In a society which supposedly encourages reform, surely this man could be used as a figure to uphold as an inspirational figure to all those who feel there is no way back after they have hit the depths. And what better way to do this than to reward a reformed character whose form deserves international recognition than with an England cap? Furthermore, let’s not forget that the current squad are hardly perfect citizens themselves, are they. Yes, their crimes may not be as horrendous as those committed by Barton, but surely he should be allowed another crack at life like they were?
Or is it too much to ask because his name is Joey Barton?
Dan, I read the article before looking at your profile. I was very surprised to find that you’re not yet a sports journalist. I thought your article was really good and you should have a great future in journalism.
You’re a Toon fan aren’t you. I agree with everything written and i’m a Toon fan LOL. Id love to see him get another cap.
This season he has lived up to the Optima states that i was browsing when we bought him. Back then he beat 3 of our midfielders put together. Im chuffed for him.
He’s purely belta man..
Great article. I think Barton has pushed it once to many times to be fully rehabilitated into the England fold. As a Newcastle fan i have been a big critic of Barton as just when you think he has turned a corner he does something silly again, such as the Pedersen punch. However much he was provoked by the norweigen, he shouldn’t has retaliated.
Aside from that single incident (and we are half way through the season) he has been largely the driving force behind Newcastle realtively comfortable progress in the PL this year. When he is not playing we really miss him, unlike when Carroll or Nolan are missing when others fill in. There are no replacements for Barton, thats how good good he has been. If Capello picks on form rather that reputation, then Barton has to be in the next squad. But it won’t happen, probably ever again, which is a shame.
150% true ,he’s sinned and all the incidents outlined above are a testament to Joeys better character-definitely deserves an England call up!
Thank goodness that somebody else has the same view as I have on this whole Joey Barton issue. Even Howard Webb, whom you would expect to inject a commonsense/fair approach in a game which is highly charged, like the away match with the mackems, let all sorts of incidents go, letting the game flow, okay, no problem with that, as it was six of one and half a dozen of the other, but what happened when Barton fouled? The yellow card came out of the pocket. Did the same card come out when Barton was fouled, not once but several times, (one foul completely up-ended him)- no, of course it didn’t. Barton is no wuss when it comes to getting injured – he gets up and gets on with the job.
The Wolves game was another good example of inconsistent/unfair/biased refereeing.
No point in complaining to the FA – they are too lilly-livered to do anything about it.
We need more refs like Mr Collina who was firm but fair, and well respected by all.
I am definately a person – you’ve asked me to type the security words `west brom` in the picture, so here it is.
Thank you
Just one question, Unprovoked punch???
Pederson clearly barged Barton off the ball and while play was stopped.
Barton should not of retaliated but please state facts in your blogs.
Er, a certain s gerrard up in court for assault, gets off & still has the press onside & still plays for england.
Double standards. Plus, gerrard has assaulted way more people ‘on the field of play’ than Barton ever has.
Most of Joey’s faux pas’ have been off the pitch, which everyone comfortably overlooks.
I’m not advocating JB for england mind, because the fa & england deserve nothing, especially a great, passionate midfielder. Stick with the over-hyped, the out of form, the flavor’s of month, it’s all par for the course for their biased, mealy mouthed, know nothing, never kicked a ball in their lives, cowardly tripe.
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