Mel Huckridge, author of Grounds for Divorce, puts fingers to keys for LoftforWords for the first time and delivers his assessment of QPR’s first season at the mercy of one Joey Barton.

“Gobby Scouse git.”

No, not Derek Hatton, but Joey Barton, according to the bloke behind me at Loftus Road a couple of months ago. That's what most thought before we signed him, and many still do now.

His past exploits - several assaults, including stubbing a cigar out in a players eye - cannot really be defended. But often they have been punctuated with glimpses of honesty. Certainly his comment after the 2006 World Cup, about the England players bringing out autobiographies after performing badly is accurate and reflected the opinion of the majority of supporters.

He should have won the Terry Scott award for over acting in the first match of this season when, whilst still playing for Newcastle, he hit the deck theatrically resulting in Arsenal’s Gervinho being dismissed.

These past exploits, in my eyes, are not worth in depth analysis simply because he was not paid to wear the most famous blue and white hoops on the planet at the time. From the end of August 2011 this all changed, a line should have been drawn under his previous misdemeanours at that point because he was ours. Rangers had arrived in the Premier League, eyebrows were being raised, but it showed we meant business.

As for his actual talent, most, even the well informed among us, were unsure about his footballing abilities. He’d managed 15 minutes in an England shirt, which is about the same as the similarly initialled Jay Bothroyd, and years earlier, John Hollins. We knew one thing for sure, he was a name, and with it came expectation.

He was treated regally by Neil Warnock and given the captains armband but this was the first of many poor and disloyal decisions made by Mr Untouchable (discarding Adel Taarabt's ability, swapping Gorkss for Gabbidon, loaning Clint Hill to Forest) that would later bite him in the behind.

Initially though, things were rosy. The debut of Barton and a few other new experienced international players against Newcastle at Loftus Road bode well and lead into, five days later, our performance of the season at Molineux, where Wolves were, as I said over the phone at the time to my brother, 'taken to the fucking cleaners'. That glorious day he scored our opener, albeit with a mishit, and was subjected to some terrible challenges by Karl Henry. In the face of provocation he remained relatively calm, except for the three finger goal salute to disheartened Wolves followers. In tandem with Ali Faurlin (whom Barton rates highly) we battled for some great results over the next two months. We had arrived.

For me, the honeymoon period concluded when West Brom equalised at Loftus Rd in early December. Faurlin was given a dressing down by the manager, in both private and public, reminiscent of Houllier's ridiculous criticism of David Ginola after France failed to qualify for USA '94 losing a lead in injury time to Bulgaria. Warnock lost the dressing room from then on, and the antics of him and his coaching staff were soon to be scrutinised once the defeats started to mount. His constant referral to new January signings wore thin; you should always make the best of what you have.

The pivotal moment in Warnock's QPR career came against Norwich at Loftus Road over Christmas. One incident summed up our whole season when Barton, already having put us one up, was incorrectly sent off. He had been kicked from pillar to post and as a result squared up to Bradley Johnson who, in Mediterranean style, feigned head contact. There are so many levels in which the decision was wrong, not least because the referee and linesman were both initially happy to play on with QPR in possession suggesting they’d seen no offence by a QPR player, and it seems to me he was sent off because of his reputation.

The FA, kings of double standards, refused the appeal.

If the officials had done their jobs correctly we probably would have won the game, Warnock may have kept his job, and our pal Joey would not have been made the scapegoat which he then became.

For me it was a case of thanks Neil, but it time to go. I say well done to Tony Fernandes and his team for having the guts to do so. Many saw it as Barton’s fault though. His constant tweeting - funny and welcomed in the good times - was now somehow deemed to be undermining the club and the manager even though much of what he said was right.

The size of Barton's pay packet was suddenly now important. Somehow everyone seems to think they know his salary and the £80,000 a week figure continues to be reported as fact. I have it good authority, that whilst most would be happy to earn a year what he does in a week, it is nowhere near that usually quoted figure. Welcome to the Premier League.

People wonder why he doesn’t shut up; constantly talking about the Smiths, Friedrich Nietzsche or visiting London art galleries even when things haven’t gone well on the pitch. People say he's obviously just trying to get a future media career as a pseudo intellectual. Or is he making a creditable attempt to leave his chequered past behind him and move on? I speak from personal experience when I say the novelty of becoming a first time father changes all of us. Mind you given his past, perhaps Cassius wasn't the wisest choice of forenames for his first son.

Through the revolving door arrived Mark Hughes – a great player and seemingly decent manager. By now we were in a relegation battle, but the wins didn’t arrive and the red cards continued. The new boys didn’t seem to gel - great on paper, shit on grass.

Then, in March, Liverpool at home. Gerrard and Suarez give a master class in what Premiership footballers should play like and two down Rangers already look doomed. Barton is having a shocker and the crowd, as in past years with Zesh Rehman (correctly) and Mike Sheron (less so), vent their frustrations on our skipper and boo even his few decent touches. He is substituted to loud cheering. Somehow Dunkirk becomes El Alamein and we win. All because our Joey was replaced and a bit of dodgy defending.

Rightly dropped for the next game, he acknowledged that he was awful, which takes a big man to admit. He must have smiled inside when the whole eleven at Sunderland were as bad as he was the match before.

Then, with eight fixtures left, and the experts convinced we will be back from whence we came, the fighting spirit became evident. The man at the forefront of this was Joey Barton. Constantly cajoling, probing and pushing he put in several near man of the match performances which won some fans over, if not all. There was no doubting the team spirit when Cisse knocked in against Stoke to make us favourites to survive - just watch the players reaction, they want it as much as we do.

This brings us to Eastlands and the impossible match with the Champions elect. Unbelievable is a well used phrase, but for once the events seemed as such, including the Barton talking point with half an hour to go.

Watching the re runs, it is clear that Carlos Tevez makes contact with Joey, provoking him into reacting in the way he did, and then makes a meal of the subsequent contact. Joey you've been mugged off again. The statistics say he has been fouled 60 times this season, second only to Newcastle’s Jonas Gutierrez with 86, and Rangers are the most sinned against club.

I'd love to think that the superb Clint Hill, born at the same hospital as Barton, egged him on to even it up, although the sense of injustice will not be considered when the appeal is heard tomorrow. If it did happen, as Barton claims, then I like it. They've cheated us again, cheat back.

Obviously this is not acceptable to the 'Football family' and its world, but it was the last game of season with careers and, more importantly, vast amounts of money on the line. Sod role models, this is passion and that is the one feature that I admire in Barton. So what if he lays into Shearer and Lineker, is this a treasonable offence? Don’t we all say similar things about those two? Remember when you used to play yourself, if you ever did - Corinthian spirit wins only friends not trophies.

The club may try and constructively dismiss him, using his salary to fund someone less volatile. Personally I hope they won't.

He has baggage from before, but has never shirked responsibility, and there is a lot more to him than a no trick pony like Jamie Mackie. With Al Faurlin returning, Samba Diakite staying, Barton, Armand Traore and Adel Taarabt available that starts to look like a midfield of useful options.

I, for one, like the ‘gobby Scouse git’ and have enjoyed the ride.

I'd buy him a pint if he wasn't now teetotal.

Mel Huckridge wrote Grounds for Divorce, a tale of travels around the world to obscure football matches and plenty of QPR games as well. Copies can be ordered from Mel at melh64@hotmail.co.uk or bought from him outside the Upper Loft/South Africa Road exit on matchdays.

Tweet @loftforwords

Pictures – Action Images

Photo: Action Images

dixiedean added 11:21 - May 23 the great thing about LFW ( apart from Clive's reports !) is that is a forum for sensible R's fans to express their views. Naturally we differ on various topics, but I hope we respect each other's views rather than slag each other off, cos we're a civilised bunch ! However, it is a fact that Barton has a very violent past ( and present judging by Man C) and I think it is incredibly optimistic/naive to think he'll reform once Hughes " has a word " and gives him a dressing down. Come on ! How many other people have " had a word " with him over the years ( including prison wardens, counsellors), yet the violence resurfaces ? He doesn't have a reputation for violence- he IS violent. Look at the facts ! Putting all the bad behaviour to one side , and assuming he emerges a reformed character, do we really think he has contributed that much positively on or off the pitch since he came here? Granted he put in a few 7/10 performances during the home win sequence, but for someone of his alleged ability he should be averaging upwards of 6.5/ 7.0 every game , not producing that once a month.While the Liverpool game was his nadir, in many other games he was poor at times, notwithstanding his apparent baggage. I think the opinions of him seem to fall down on one side of the line- if you're anti-establishment you stick up for poor misunderstood Joey with all his quirky traits and he tells it how it is. If like me you don't buy that, you strip away all the hype and what you are left with is an average footballer with a violent criminal record, whose performances ON the field generally do not come up to scratch and whose profile is in danger of becoming bigger than the club, ie we're becoming the Joey Barton Show. We've often had maverick players eg Bowles/ Marsh who've caused waves,but they have been in a different league as footballers and were match-winners, so for me all the crap that seems to come with Barton just isn't worth the bother. Has he ever won us a game ? The sooner we can offload him by whatever means the better. HE IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE - LET'S GET REAL ABOUT THIS.

0

HastingsRanger added 12:12 - May 23 I have commented on Barton before (guilty of complacency, disinterest, total lack of self control, self interest, self promotion and plain aggression) and am still amazed that anyone still wants to campaign for such an average player. He has had ample opportunity to shine at this club. One of the big changes in our fortunes at the club was once he stopped wasting corners and free kicks and the job reverted to Taarrabt et al. Give the captaincy to someone else whilst at it and we might find further no cost improvements. New of Taarrabt leaving concerns me more. Barton commented negatively on Taarabt on his arrival. And is generally divisive on the team and now its supporters! Keep him as a squad player if we have to but preferably get rid.

0

DanVanDyke added 12:26 - May 23 Thank fcuk for that! A reasoned response to the whole Joey Barton debate, which I agree with entirely. Honestly, the way people are going on about him you'd think he'd committed murder in the name of QPR. A lot of people are getting very 'Daily Mail' about all of this. WE DIDN'T GET RELEGATED!
0

Metallica_Hoop added 12:34 - May 23 Nice piece Mel. I like him too now I've seen how good he can be, I hope we keep him.
0

RBLOCKPAT added 12:54 - May 23 Well Mel, for your description of Jamie Mackie you get Half Wit status from me. You have picked on the one player that the team should be built around, he has everything that Barton hasn't, the one player who really cares about the club he plays for and gives everything. He has spent a large part of this season being harranged by Barton, usually when Barton has misplaced yet another pass and Mackie has dared to moan about it, but Mackie has the inner and outer strength to put up with such a deluded character as Barton. A captain what a joke he puts players on edge rather than encourage them and yet he hasn't got the talent to lead by example because he hasnt got it in his locker, just as he hasnt any real meaning or sense in the garbage he spouts on twitter at times, there is no depth to Barton he continually strives to be someone he is not, he has certainly sucked you into his little webb of dellusion Mel, he is bad for QPR, we keep reading about him instead of the genuine players, its just irritating rather like he is. I would rather read about Jamie Mackies superb header at Man City ( just one of his tricks Mel ) than a silly silly man where one of his excuses were ' I thought we were relegated ' mmm at 1-1 really! I dont think Mark Hughes will want him around the club next season although I don't think he will have any choice, no one is going to want Barton when he cannot play for a quarter of the season, still it gives Hughes the chance to establish a mid field and soon it will be January. What is Joey Barton worth to QPR...........nothing, what is Jamie Mackie worth to QPR.........everything!

0

stevec added 12:59 - May 23 Look, I love you all, but I am getting a little hot under the collar about this continual 'Daily Mail' characterisation on this site of anyone who dares to question the status quo. No, we didn't get relegated, but no thanks to the shining light Joey Barton. Maybe we need a term 'getting all Guardian about this' ie Doesn't matter how many times JB fcuks us all up the a*se, we should embrace his difference, bend over and take it'

0

MackemR added 13:07 - May 23 An excellent article but I also have to disagree with the conclusions. For all the pros and cons of Joey Barton's footballing skills his pontificating as some sort of 'People's Champion' grates to the extreme. He appears to relish spouting forth on all manner of subjects whilst gleefully admitting he listens to no-one. He is a divisive influence who appears to have learned nothing of the impact his reputation has on the field. No matter what length of ban he receives can we, hand on heart, believe he will be a changed person when he returns? I don't think he will and, as such, will always be a liability and need to be treated with extreme caution. A captain he is not. A team player he is not. Can he continue to play in our side? Only Mark Hughes can say. If Joey plays for us again I will support him as I do all the lads but I will shed no tears if he doesn't. He has no merit marks left in his book.

0

qprmick added 13:48 - May 23 At the end of the day, it depends if Hughes can work with him. Time will tell, there will always been a feeling of unease every time he plays. I hope he can knuckle down.
0

Supahoops added 13:58 - May 23 A timely corrective, Mel, and you are to be commended for outing a lot of the hypocrisy in the more extreme 'Ban Him For Six Months/Sack Him Now' commentaries. However, your argument sinks under its own weight when you reach, "but it was the last game of season with careers and, more importantly, vast amounts of money on the line." Exactly... and how many games did we throw away this season because we couldn't keep eleven on the pitch? So what should the priority have been for any of our players, let alone our captain? Barton bailed out and nearly took the whole team down with him, and it's that I can't forgive easily. And why did you chose to close on such a sour note and have a cheap shot at Mackie? This really felt like the equivalent of Barton's knee in the back of Aguero. Contrast Barton and Mackie in our two most pivotal games this season – at home to Liverpool and away to Man City. Barton got taken off in one and sent off in the other: Mackie scored two of our most important goals of the year, one of them a winner. Yes, he may be a 'no trick' pony, in the sense that he's unerringly honest and will stand up in the tackle in the box and not take a dive; but I would commend him for that, and his Corinthian spirit, which seems to hold no place in your rather jaded view of football. In the end, it comes down to this: Jamie Mackie would run through walls for you; but Joey Barton? He'd just head butt the builder! I know which one I'd rather have in my football team.

0

Toast_R added 15:02 - May 23 Can we not have Mackie and Joey in the same team? Why are we even making comparisons between the two?
0

dixiedean added 15:20 - May 23 So ,some of us hate Barton ( I'm one) and others want to back him because he's " our Joey", so it's very hard to be objective about him and what he stands for. Question is : aside from art galleries, Nietzsche,Newsnight, Twitter rants, prison, violent attacks on team-mates, is he a very good footballer and does he contribute positively to the club and team ( when he's in it) ? If he is,then we have to decide if the baggage is worth it. If he isn't , there's no discussion to be had. My view is let's use the £50/60/70/80k a week whatever it is to fund a player(s) who will be a positive influence. I don't mean Dyer by the way.

0

Toast_R added 15:38 - May 23 His Twitter rants are irrelivant. Yes he's been poor at times and his set pieces have been that of a Sunday League player with a hangover, but being allowed to take them so long has to be the managers call? Since he's been concentrating soley on the midfield, he has been brilliant and his performances in the run of home wins were pivotel. His Twitter rants? Let me enlighten you with a quote from a well known film... "Who's the more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?"

0

andygg added 15:55 - May 23 What a load of bollox calling Mackie a no trick pony.
0

Clubber added 20:49 - May 23 Im with you big boy, reguarding Barton . After the liverpool game and his notes in the programme ,next home game ,i thought he bought in to the club. He was as responsible as anyone for us staying up (granted he nearly f##### it last game but, as i said to my brother "if your gonna go,go in style") . I can put up with characters ,as long as they can play and love the club. I for one, enjoyed seeing balotelli have second thoughts . Totally wrong about Mackie though ,same as your brother. Much better team with him in .Tempo ,commitment ,heart,chances and goals . Fair play as well for not mentioning german football in your article. That must have taken some restraint !

0

CHUBBS added 21:51 - May 23 You make a few decent points but its a Load of old shite Mel.He's had god knows how many chances and yet still reacts (underprovacation granted)in our most important game of the season. If Stoke hadn't done the decent thing,you'd be getting dogs abuse for that piece. He's gotta go for the good of our club.
0

HamptonR added 22:28 - May 23 I like the article and I like Barton, I thought he was awesome against Arsenal and played very well from then on, and you could see what the Stoke win meant to him. Unfortunately his temper got the better of him against City but let’s be honest he did not head-butt Kompany but claiming to take an opponent with him has done him no favours at all. Jamie Mackie is a no trick pony, (compared to our other midfielders) there are no thrills or tricks or flicks from Mackie but with a heart the size of his you don’t need any, honest and hardworking

0

Kaos_Agent added 03:10 - May 24 I do not at all get the theme "good Joey, bad Jamie". It's the reverse.
0

londonscottish added 09:41 - May 24 Good article. Although I'm with Kaos Agent on this one; "Way way too much downside liability in Our Joey," Ah'm oot.
0

JB007007 added 21:39 - May 24 Good piece Mel. Having had a little more time to digest this whole Bartongate episode and now the FA verdict being given, a couple of points. 1) I wonder if the FA would have dished out the same punishment had this been a City player. 2) Greedy little Tevez got away with starting all of this, but had it all been the other way around, you can bet your bottom dolllar Barton would have had some punishment. 3) Whatever ther outcome of the clubs own actions, I want Barton nowhere near the first team during those 12 games. I think he's a negative influence in the dressing room. 4) I guess what I'm saying is get rid (if we can) - we can do better. Lastly, I'm sure your're sick of the backlash re Mackie, but no trick ponie - he's one of the best finishers at the club!

0

T_Block added 10:44 - May 28 Great article Mel.Agree with most of it,apart from calling mackie a one trick. yep he is but his body strength when running direct is International class.-only Huth had him last year and he took Evra to pieces.For me his goal,like great goals required good play from both Traore and Jamie.That goal forgives everything.What a great one -trick pony... But yes what a poncy crappy football world is when abit of handbags equates for some people with the end of civilisation.A sense of perspective is required.He plays for as long as we have lesser options availible. If he came in the Black Horse Greenford I would buy him a pint,he makes me laugh and is a knowledgable defensive midfielder.

0

T_Block added 10:44 - May 28 Great article Mel.Agree with most of it,apart from calling mackie a one trick. yep he is but his body strength when running direct is International class.-only Huth had him last year and he took Evra to pieces.For me his goal,like great goals required good play from both Traore and Jamie.That goal forgives everything.What a great one -trick pony... But yes what a poncy crappy football world is when abit of handbags equates for some people with the end of civilisation.A sense of perspective is required.He plays for as long as we have lesser options availible. If he came in the Black Horse Greenford I would buy him a pint,he makes me laugh and is a knowledgable defensive midfielder.

0

T_Block added 10:45 - May 28 Great article Mel.Agree with most of it,apart from calling mackie a one trick. yep he is but his body strength when running direct is International class.-only Huth had him last year and he took Evra to pieces.For me his goal,like great goals required good play from both Traore and Jamie.That goal forgives everything.What a great one -trick pony... But yes what a poncy crappy football world is when abit of handbags equates for some people with the end of civilisation.A sense of perspective is required.He plays for as long as we have lesser options availible. If he came in the Black Horse Greenford I would buy him a pint,he makes me laugh and is a knowledgable defensive midfielder.

0

brenna62 added 04:30 - Nov 15 Think genuine loftus did a good job at summarizing. The main problem is that it is also possible that he poisons changing rooms wherever he goes. Pardew outdid himself by successfully easing Barton's exit without the typical JB "backlash." The person was exemplified by the way he turned on Warnock. Essentially a divide and conquer style, and something you can do without in a team game. https://cookieclickeridle.com

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Bristol Rovers Polls