Seriously footy the "character" considerations are much more complex than binning somebody because he is, for want of a better phrase "a bad lot". The snake pit that our dressing room became under Sherwood was as a result of many types of character deficiencies from Agbonlahor's laziness, to Richards' arrogance, to Lescott's stupidity, to Guzan being easily lead, to the manager's self interest. It was a toxic brew that was only ever going one way.
I don't want Barton at the club but the baggage he carries with him is, in practical terms, no more or less damaging than a player who simply can't be arsed and we have had plenty of those.