Why Joey Barton Is Good For Football

Let’s face it. Joey Barton is no angel. You didn’t need me to tell you that did you? However, as Twitter has revealed, there is seemingly more than meets the eye to Joey Barton. Not only does he still pick fights on the pitch, he also likes to quote Nietzsche.

The QPR Captain gets people talking. The Wolves game at the weekend was a case in point. Fans are prepared to abuse players to no end and in a way it was refreshing to see a player respond with a bit of banter. He hasn’t gone and sworn at the fans. Barton has albeit cheekily told the Wolves fans what the score is.

Barton’s comments about Karl Henry on Twitter were perhaps unneeded. However, think about it from a neutral point of view. The next time QPR v Wolves game comes around in February, it will be more than just 3 points; it will be Barton v Henry. In other words, there will be some added spice to the game which is sometimes what is needed, especially when the encounter may not be the most exciting.

The tackling on show at Loftus Road on the 4th February will be worth the admission fee alone. Who knows what Barton will do if he scores or imagine if Henry were to score? Now that would be a sight to behold.

Football supporters need and want players like Joey Barton on the football pitch. There is no doubt he is a Marmite figure and you won’t find many who hold the middle ground on Barton.

Wolves fans must be delighted they can now despise two players in West London – Danny Murphy after his comments about Wolves style of play and now, Joey Barton.

Of late, football has certainly lacked its characters. It’s good to see a player who isn’t being restricted by his club and the press officer. It may prove a dangerous tactic with Barton. You can’t help but feel he will step out of line sooner or later. Things are looking very rosy for QPR now. Neil Warnock will do very well to maintain harmony in that dressing room with strong characters like Barton and Adel Taarabt. If they go on a losing run, his antics won’t be so well appreciated by his team mates.

Despite all his flaws, Barton is also quite a good player. As Gascoigne and Best proved, those with brilliance can have their flaws. Whilst he is not on their level in terms of skill, he is determined to make his mark off the pitch. Barton could well be the 21st century bad boy of football mixing his actions in with his incessant use of Twitter.

He would pledge that he’s reformed but his performances on the pitch would suggest otherwise, particularly the first game of the season where he got Gervinho sent off. The media love Joey Barton as he fills column inches and air time. The football season needs talking points.

With Joey Barton, there will be plenty. Whether it’ll all be positive is highly doubtful. Nevertheless, the man from Merseyside is something different and football benefits from having all walks of life playing the game.

Entertainment in football is helped significantly by the people who play the game and those who watch it. Barton certainly carries out part of that formula and even if it is through provocation, he fulfils another part of it by bringing the supporters to life. Barton creates an atmosphere, something that is lost in the majority of Premier League grounds.

Even if it maybe one of hatred towards him and as long as there’s only one Joey Barton, he may not be so bad for football.

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