The Midfield

[Steve67]

Even a cock like Barton is a grade up from mr pointy. We need more cover, if he's available get him in. Can't see it happening though.

[Tony Erdington]

Even a cock like Barton is a grade up from mr pointy. We need more cover, if he's available get him in. Can't see it happening though.

Agreed

[tomd2103]

I wonder if Rangers will cancel his contract

Hasn't he got more energy than most of us the rest of our midfield?

Has been one of the best players in a promotion winning team three times now I think (Newcastle, burnley and QPR)

Also can play right side midfield or in a three - but add more aggression and movement than we'd otherwise have

Not really thought about it until now, but I'm warming to it

I see him more as the one who would sit in midfield and just keep things ticking over.  He probably would be better in that role than our current incumbents, but the fact that the reason Rangers are looking to move him on is he was involved in another training ground altercation means he would be a huge gamble.

[Toronto Villa]

You have to wonder why Rangers are willing to cancel his contract? Do we really need Joey Barton in our dressing room irrespective of what he might offer as a player? Stay well clear as far as I am concerned.

[saunders_heroes]

I'd snap him up right away. He's got the steel and nastiness you sometimes need in this league and our midfield is clearly a weak spot in the team.

[saunders_heroes]

You have to wonder why Rangers are willing to cancel his contract? Do we really need Joey Barton in our dressing room irrespective of what he might offer as a player? Stay well clear as far as I am concerned.

Well he didn't do too badly last season at Burnley.

[KevinGage]

A good midfield protects a suspect defence (which ours still is).

If you see enough of the ball, even a moderate forward line should eventually cash in. And at this level, I'd say our forwards are a bit better than moderate.

A weak midfield causes problems for both areas of the pitch.

Tish might have injury concerns (and that shouldn't have been altogether surprising TBH, based on his past record) but with the level of finance available, we should have had better options than playing two in midfield at home to Brentford.  Even if it meant utilising the loan market.

[Toronto Villa]

You have to wonder why Rangers are willing to cancel his contract? Do we really need Joey Barton in our dressing room irrespective of what he might offer as a player? Stay well clear as far as I am concerned.

Well he didn't do too badly last season at Burnley.

No he didn't but that was last season. Also, Burnley didn't wait long to boot him even though he played a significant role in their promotion. With Barton the next incident is always around the corner and fair dues to Dyche for squeezing what he needed out of him. Clearly the Rangers boss hasn't been so fortunate.

[tomd2103]

You have to wonder why Rangers are willing to cancel his contract? Do we really need Joey Barton in our dressing room irrespective of what he might offer as a player? Stay well clear as far as I am concerned.

He was apparently involved in a training altercation with another player and then had some kind of disagreement with the manager after that. 

[Toronto Villa]

You have to wonder why Rangers are willing to cancel his contract? Do we really need Joey Barton in our dressing room irrespective of what he might offer as a player? Stay well clear as far as I am concerned.

He was apparently involved in a training altercation with another player and then had some kind of disagreement with the manager after that. 

Right, and altercations happen during the season at clubs. So you have to wonder to what level of disruption this would have to be for them to consider essentially sacking him. He's a bad egg is Joey.

[Gareth]

Even if Rangers cancelled his contract he won't be able to sign for anyone until Jan? Personally I think Leon Osman as part of a midfield 3 would be a way better short term measure

[class-of-82]

He can be the baddest egg in the coop for all I care but if he helps us get promotion I don't care.
There's bad eggs who don't don't give a toss and after last season we all know who they are and there's ones who still give there all which I think he does

[Sexual Ealing]

I can't see them paying up his contract over what sounds like a bit of a row after taking a tonking from Celtic.

[Chris Jameson]

Also, Burnley didn't wait long to boot him even though he played a significant role in their promotion.

They offered him a new deal, hardly giving him the boot.

[Toronto Villa]

Also, Burnley didn't wait long to boot him even though he played a significant role in their promotion.

They offered him a new deal, hardly giving him the boot.

And how good a deal was it that he turned it down and a chance to return to the PL to end up playing in Scotland?