Chris King returns to LFW with an assessment of an incredible weekend in Manchester and where the team should go now (without Joey Barton).

Clint Hill’s Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Year awards were given on the basis of the defender’s excellent season at the back for Queens Park Rangers. The 33-year-old spent the first half of the year banned and then on loan at Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest. However, during the latter stages of the season, he was an ever-present, and the honouring of his return to the R’s fold shows the esteem in which the former Crystal Palace stalwart is held by both those who pay to watch him, and those who train with the central defender day-in, day-out.

Contrast this with the shameful behaviour of Rangers “captain” and common thug Joey Barton. Dismissed on Sunday as his side were throwing bodies in front of every shot Manchester City could muster, and they managed 44 of them, he nearly cost this club its Premier League status. The former City midfielder deserves to suffer a ban stretching into double figures, and Mark Hughes should not even contemplate letting Barton anywhere near the first team while he remains at the club. While releasing the crazed intellectual surely going to be excessively costly, Barton should be made captain of the reserves and left to rot, with his only highlight of the 2012-2013 season being the occasional match against Arsene Wenger’s League Cup team.

Disgusted didn’t even begin to describe the emotions raging through the hearts and minds of every R’s fan as they watched on, astonished, witnessing Barton elbow Carlos Tévez, who is admittedly a dreadful individual, before lashing out at Sergio Agüero and attempting to assault Vincent Kompany. It took the timely and insufficiently praised intervention of Micah Richards to even get the Rangers skipper to leave the pitch. Contrast Barton’s behaviour with Shaun Derry, if you will. Painfully slow in the Premier League, and undoubtedly past his best, Derry was immense at the Etihad Stadium, and a shining example of what consummate professionalism looks like. He, at many points this season, has been the side’s true captain: a real leader, whom the players can look up to.

It says so much that an article reacting to Rangers’ miracle of survival, and what was so nearly one of the greatest days in this club’s history, should begin by analysing the foolhardy actions of that cretin. Alas, sadly, it must. However, moving onto the football, the emotions described earlier can be extended to include pride and sheer relief.

QPR were exceptional on Sunday, and their rear-guard action and unwillingness to give in until there were literally no more than a few seconds on the clock appear to have gone unnoticed. Nobody gave this little club from West London a prayer in Manchester. Cannon-fodder, we would be. The Citizens’ plaything, to be teased and abused before goals reigned in from all angles: the height of the Premier League winners’ arrogance was exposed when it emerged that even before the game, “Manchester City – Champions” scarves were being sold. One can only hope the sky blues have learnt from this premature, presumptuous stupidity, but they probably haven’t.

In Hughes’ post-match interview, presumably with his £1m (well-deserved) survival bonus being spent as he spoke, the Welshman assured the Queens Park Rangers faithful that: “There is no way we will be in this situation again in my time here.” Call me easily pleased or naïve, but I for one believe the manager. He has transformed the fortunes of the club in just a few months. From the worst beginnings imaginable, and a run of results that conspired to leave the R’s on the cusp of the relegation zone, safety has been achieved amid possibly the hardest run-in any team has faced in some years. One cannot imagine that deadwood such as Jay Bothroyd, Danny Gabbidon, Shaun Wright-Phillips, DJ Campbell, Kieron Dyer, Fitz Hall and Rob Hulse will be kept on. Tony Fernandes, Phil Beard and Amit Bhatia deserve both the supporters’ thanks, and continued support next season, for the professional business mentality they are trying to instil in W12, and the former for investing so heavily in January. Without the players Fernandes facilitated the signings of, the Championship would be looming.

Indeed, and this may seem rather like heresy when said in reference to a team that avoided relegation by a single point, the QPR line-up which started against City is a top-half outfit in the making although the gamble to start Wright-Phillips ahead of Taarabt (the winger was out-jumped, ran with his head down before being tackled, and was generally ineffective) proves that he has no place in the starting eleven. Signing the impressively combative Samba Diakité and Taye Taiwo will tighten the side up no end, as will playing Armand Traoré, who vindicated my season-long campaign to have him played on the left wing with the superb cross for Jamie Mackie’s diving header. And another man who has certainly earned a place next season is the 26-year-old. Mackie fluctuates between illustrating tremendous panache and a fantastic understanding of the game, as he did at Eastlands, and putting his head down à la Wright-Phillips and running into trouble. However, as the Barton incident proves, Rangers need players who care, and minor faults such as these can be ironed out.

After the glory of the weekend, a statement on the Rangers website even took the time to thank the supporters for yet another year of endurance and commitment beyond reason. An easy gesture perhaps, and nothing more an example of good PR, but the club could just as easily have said nothing. From the presence of press officers on Twitter, the greater transparency and stability in the coaching staff, and genial approach of Fernandes and Bhatia, Queens Park Rangers Football Club is changing for the better. With the announcement of the successful purchase of Warren Farm, it appears as though the club is not only going to possess very soon training facilities of the highest order, but it will also be providing a service to the community and reaching out as it has never been able to before. Given how hard the previous regime tried to destroy the QPR community, from the managerial chaos, failure to adhere to FA rules and unjust season ticket price hikes, it is positive to see the club actively trying to build lasting foundations, rather than mindlessly destroying everything good in its path.

Tweet @loftforwords, @chriskking

Pictures – Action Images

Photo: Action Images

ShotKneesHoop added 09:43 - May 18 No true QPR fan could fail to agree with either the sentiments or the facts expressed here. I've been castigated on Loft For Words for calling for a "taxi for Barton" and labelling SWP the biggest waste of money ever on a player that resembled the midget version of Dominic Iorfa. Nice to know that some one else agrees. Whatever the cost, these two have to go. One is a toxic influence, the other is a Bash Street Primary School footballer.

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N12Hoop added 09:44 - May 18 It is indeed a great turn around both on and off the pitch. Off the pitch, the engagement between the club and the fans is a joy to behold after what went before and I suspect TF, who may not have been a QPR fan before, certainly isnow. With the addition of Beard and Riggs, coupled with the plans for the training ground these are truly exciting times. On the pitch, Joey continues to bring our club into disrepute and many people who were indifferent or even fond of our club now want to se us go down, pretty much on the basis of being associated with him. It would be best for the players and the fans if he was let go (if possible to do so legally). It seems that most of us are fans of Traore, but Hughes doesn't seem to be so sure. He seems injury prone and he is not as solid at the back as Taiwoo. Either way, Hughes now has 3 months to turn this side into his own and hopefully find some way to make our away form match our home form. Finally, a word for Cisse. He has the potential to be one of the greatest strikers we've had if his goal ratio continues into next season. Pace, power, good in the air and on the ground, his goals kept us up (although didn't Agyemang's goals keep us from going to Division 1 a few years ago following the takeover?) . Nevertheless I can't wait to see him next year, hopefully with someone equally effective next to him. Have a great summer and thanks for the articles.

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dixiedean added 10:07 - May 18 Chris, I could have written this myself - I agree with every word, esp re Traore,who has been greatly under-used, and of course Barton. When he got the red card some idiots behind me sang " there's only one Joey Barton " which almost prompted a bartonesque reaction from me ! How can anyone want anything other than for our club to be rid of this bloke as quickly & cheaply as possible? Surely he can be sacked ( esp if his allegation that a team-mate invited him to get a City player sent off too, is not vindicated) . No doubt he'll challenge it at a tribunal,and we may end up paying off with a year's wages,which is better than having to pay up his full contract.As I said to a CFC mate of mine ( yes,they do have 1 or 2 decent ones) you won't be seeing any banners at Loftus Rd saying 17 Captain Leader Legend- we have a bit more class than that. Actually a lot more. Hill & Derry are true pro's - not blessed with great skill, as I'm sure they'd admit, but you always know they'll give their all for the cause. And I must confess I groaned very loudly when we signed them.

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WallyRanger added 10:49 - May 18 I think Barton is a quality footballer who would improve many Premiership squads, sadly, we've all seen why nobody else wants the bloke at their club on Sunday, it was a disgrace and the 5 added on minutes that came from his rampage could have relegated us if it weren't for Stoke, I've been more than happy to see how he does but now I just want to see him out of the club. I'd hope Traore gets more game time aswell, think the guy will make a quality left midfielder, he's got a fantastic cross on him and he's got a great burst of pace, get Cisse, Zamora and Mackie in the box whenever he's crossing because we could definitely get a few goals there, as for Mackie I'm pleased we told Everton no, it's great to see a player so limited giving Premiership defenses such a hard time, he's really improved as a player over the season too! It's brilliant how he's come a long way from the headless chicken in the Championship (not that that's a bad thing) as he's really developed in his time at the R's! Can't wait to see how we do next season! Exciting!

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benbu added 11:02 - May 18 purely on the Joey Barton issue - I dont like the behaviour shown on sunday, from a professional it shouldnt be happening. The occassion may have got the better of him, he was wound up and some people react to these things worse than others. I was frustrated and angry he was sent off sunday and I certainly wasnt shouting his name. However, I genuinely want Barton to stay at QPR he can be a very good player and great for keeping a fighting spirit within the team, it just needs to be done the right way. He has made mistakes, so have others before him and so will others in the future. I truly hope Hughes keeps him at Rangers but he cant be get away with anything else going forward. This has to be the final chance. I think our midfield with Faurlin, Diakite and Barton would be a superb 3 with the option of Derry and possibly 1 other. Thankfully it didnt cost what he did, he will get a long ban but I hope the club will give him a last chance.

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R_in_Sweden added 11:04 - May 18 Barton seemed to have come back down to earth a little after the booing against Liverpool, but he must have totally blown it now. Never has a player with such average (Premier League) ability received so much publicity. He'll get your clubs's name in the papers for all the wrong reasons. The saying "all publicity is good publicity" does not ring true here. As you say Chris, other teams start hating us because of his inclusion. Even more bizarre is The Guardian's (and other media) inexplicable obsession with Barton, filming him at the national gallery, asking him for his expert advice on The Smiths who split before he had saved enough pocket money to buy one of their albums, etc, etc. I suppose they "like a bit of rough" and he fits the bill. Barton would do well to read this website if he wants some quality journalism and valuable input from R's fans. Glad to hear that Clint Hill received player of the year on two counts, a lesson to be learned there. Looking forward to the return of Faurlin and the signing of Taiwo (and others). I haven't felt this optimistic about things for a very long time

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Myke added 11:11 - May 18 At the time when the rumours began that we were intersted in Barton, i posted on this forum that I would rather we were relegated than sign him. Seeing as we damn nearly got relegated WITH him I stand over that view. He is no better than the Marlon King's of this world and being marginally more talented is no excuse to employ him. He should be uncermoniously sacked for dragging the name of the club into disrepute and no such player of his ilk should ever pull on the blue and white hoops again. Pride in the jersey, pride in the team, pride in the club and all it represents - Barton understands none of these things. Hill, Mackie and Derry most certainly do

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themodfather added 11:37 - May 18 one man does not make the club, personally the gamble didn't pay off..he ain't reformed and we can't hope to have to so many reds and stay in this league. the club will undergo a huge clearout, some should have gone years back but there we go, some will be faves...loathed...but thanks for the time. we move on and hopefully up. ONE THING, the fans at etihad, the qpr fans, were up for it, made the difference...the roars for our goals were loud and proud, we played more than our part.

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ManinBlack added 13:18 - May 18 Barton may not have cost us our Premiership status but his actions certainly lost us the game and United the title. I suspect there would have only been 3 minutes added time but his behaviour after the red card was branded and the time it took him to leave the pitch added a couple more minutes allowing City enough time to get a winner. Had he just walked off I believe the game would have ended on 93 minutes at 2-2. In the end we played 40 minutes with 10 men where we battled gamely in that time and those lads gave everything for the cause. It is very unjust of any United fan to say QPR cost them the title. It was Barton who lost it for them with his antics adding on more precious time for City and not the 10 heroes who finished the game. Of course I should add United lost the title themselves having been 4-2 up against Everton with 8 minutes to play. They have little argument to moan that we conceded two goals in two minutes because they did the same when Everton scored in the 83rd and 85th minutes. That looks like two goals in two minutes as well by my maths...

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MerthyrHoop added 13:35 - May 18 RE: Joey Barton. The guy is a liability. The club needs an on-field leader, and your comparison with Shaun Derry is extremely accurate. On Easter Sunday, Derry captained QPR at Old Trafford live on Sky and the referee was conned into sending him off. No arguments, no histrionics, he simply shrugged his shoulders, puffed his cheeks and walked off the pitch. Fast forward a month or so, Barton captains QPR live on Sky Sports. I think we know the rest. He is selfish, self-involved and I can't believe good for team morale. Fans and journalists alike are slowly turning against the club. Theres previous on this front, a la lengthy bans handed out to Cantona and Di Canio. These were both fiery unpredicatable players, but they were talismanic talented footballers. I don't believe based on talent Barton can outshine the likes of Faurlin, Diakite or Mackie. Possibly a better player than Derry, but if I were Sparky I know which character I would prefer in my team. Anyway rant over, all I will add is that I think I may have felt a lot better about him having a future at the club if he had opened up to QPR fans and players and apologised for his antics sincerely. All we've had instead is smug self-preservation.

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RBLOCKPAT added 14:11 - May 18 I dont want Joey Barton anywhere near the club I dont want him anywhere near twitter I dont want him anywhere near this country I dont want to hear about or read about Joey Barton ever again I hope the board can either sack him or thrash out a deal to get rid of a man with a chip on his shoulder bigger than Big Ben, the team would be greatly lifted by the absence of an average player who harrassed his own teamates rather than encouraged them and for a so called intellect doesnt seem to know the meaning of the word ' Responsibility '

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HastingsRanger added 14:46 - May 18 Hill and Derry are arguably less skillful players in the Premier League. However, due to their high levels of effort and concentration, they have often nullified considerably more skillful players in the opposition ranks. Job well done. This cannot be said of Barton, whose has been guilty of complacency, disinterest, total lack of self control, self interest, self promotion and plain aggression. He has had ample chances at this club. Frankly, we would be better off without him, regardless of the fact that we have quite a number of useful replacements (Diakite, Traore, Faurlin et al) anyway.

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Dennick added 15:33 - May 18 I'm an old bloke, I was a kid when Mark lazarus & Brian Bedford represented everything I thought footballers should be and QPR were considered a family club (maybe we still are but I'm 12000miles away now so who knows) BUT we have never entertained the type of thug i saw in one of our shirts last Sunday and I never want to see him wear one again- end of. Proud of QPR as I've ever been but very disappointed if this decision takes more than a few days, Barton must go and realistically maybe he would have been moved on anyway, hardley a shining light in any respect.

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TacticalR added 15:54 - May 18 Barton was never a captain. Now he has become a liability. I had a ghastly feeling that we would go down when he was sent off. The worst thing is that Barton has painted a massive target on his own back, because every other team now knows that if you kick him a couple of times he will explode and get sent off and the other team will win the game (and Manchester City did win). When I think of Barton I keep thinking of the fable of The Scorpion and the Frog: "The Scorpion and the Frog is a fable about a scorpion asking a frog to carry him across a river. The frog is afraid of being stung during the trip, but the scorpion argues that if it stung the frog, the frog would sink and the scorpion would drown. The frog agrees and begins carrying the scorpion, but midway across the river the scorpion does indeed sting the frog, dooming them both. When asked why, the scorpion points out that this is its nature." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorpion_and_the_Frog

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Toast_R added 16:47 - May 18 I think alot of you are Bang out of order over Barton to be honest. He's been sent of twice this season, both times on the back of being assualted first, in an off the ball incident which the officals turned a complete blind eye to. He has been targeted time and time again like this because of the way he re-acts which is a personality defect by the way and not something you can switch on and off. The club knew this when we signed him we all did, so when it finally reared it's ugly head last weekend, to turn round in a fit of disgust anday he should be sacked smacks of coplete double standards. Cisse's offences cost us more points then Barton and they were all his own doing, but now he's a God Damn hero? Yes he had dire form earlier in the year but he's been bang on his game since Liverpool and to say he's been a waste of money is a disgrace.

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HastingsRanger added 17:05 - May 18 Good point Toast R but my point is that thuggery / red mist is just one of many negatives. He was signed in error, as Warnock would probably confess (since it cost him his job). He has spent time on twitter going off at anyone - hardly provoked. He is poison. In contrast, in the Stoke game, Jamie Mackie got perpetually assaulted by Huth but remained focussed and as a result was not sent off, so not suspended for the last game and the rest is pleasant history. Without Barton, we have the basis of a really strong side, one that should not fear relegation next season and could be the grounding for a big future.

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QPRski added 17:09 - May 18 Good aricle Chris. Aparantly about 150M people watched the City-QPR match. Our football and attitude made us proud. However the behaviour of Barton was thugish and unacceptable. Our new owners want to build a football team and a brand. I am sure that the behaviour and image of Barton is something which they believe can be damaging. For the club to do nothing is a signal it accepts this behaviour. i think they will act.

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qprmick added 23:08 - May 18 I think because of his contract, the club will have a sit-down with him and read the riot act. One last chance and you are on your way. Put in writing he can have no comebacks if he is sacked and no tribunal will support him.
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smegma added 00:38 - May 19 Unfortunately players are teflon coated when it comes to contracts and sackings. Cannot believe anyone could even try to defend his actions on Sunday. Can't believe people think hes a good footballer when hes played well inabout 30% of the games hes played this season.Hes over the hill already and won't get any better.
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Kaos_Agent added 04:20 - May 19 To succeed in professional football at the highest level, there can be no time for a social reconstruction project. I truly hope that Joey sorts himself out, and in turn helps others to sort themselves out, but he has to go.
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EssexHoop added 04:28 - May 19 Barton is a good player, but at the end of the day he could of cost us premier league survival. even without his misdemeanour's diakate and faurlin would be the best centre midfield partnership we have. And traore will make a great left winger and mackie on the right. no space for barton!
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AGEREPC01 added 07:35 - May 19 Fellow QPR faithfull: This was probably the most gutwrenching season I can remember. But yet rewarding. I am thankfull that QPR have Tony Fernandes and especially Amit Bhatia. without them we'd still be in league one. Thanks to Mark Hughes also! The anger on this site needs to be shared. Norwich and swansea also great last Sunday, teams that finished BEHIND us last year. While they prepared for the top flight Bernie and Flavio ....who turned Loftus Road into a HUGE joke long before Joey spent nothing on our team until a month of the season was in. In contrast Swansea brought in michel Vorm (?) who single handedly came them in MANY games. Who did we sign....Gabbidon, Anton and Kieron Dyer. We had TWO players of Premier league quality...Ali Faurlin and Adel. And adel was not using his head most of the season. Despite our evident deficiencies, we were top half at one point! THEN came injuries to Ali and HH. I would argue that if hughes had Ali there would have been less anst. HH was superb in his stint. So to Joey: I am not a fan of his. but that said did we have other options? No not really. When he was good he was a contributor. his emotions DID get the better of him and his game sufferred. As much as he is castigated for his Man City show, personally I think the Norwich game was as bad. A game we had until he was sent off. SOLUTION:( My opinion) first Joey is not captain, 2nd I dont see him as guaranteed to start. I use Cisse (as Fernandes) has as an example of someone who was excellent but had to learn to keep his head. Currently We have adel, Samba, Faurlin, and Joey as our midfield. I see Samba and Ali as the defensive pair and probably the best at that slot. Then Adel (left midfield) gets another slot in front of them. I think Mckie probably is the right midfield option. Cisse has already declared himself a Ranger. So then what of Bobby Z? I am not so sure he stays. Yes he did his job quite well, but his goal tally did not reflect his chances. Ditto I expect to see another Centerback (chris samba), another central midfielder, and maybe another forward. I think SWP will again be a sub, as will Armand. I hope Clint stays, but if he does it will be as depth behind Anton and the new CB. Paddy and Derry I see going off to Leeds. So who replaces Paddy? Ben Foster?

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dixiedean added 09:47 - May 19 Toast R, I think you are in a very small minority of R's fans who will defend Barton after this. Cisse was rightly castigated for his irresponsible red cards, but a) he isn't captain b) he didn't assault other people on the pitch after the red cards c) he hasn't served a prison sentence for assault in a city centred) he didn't start attacking other football people on Twitter etc etc. I could probably fill the alphabet with others. Cisse responded by saying he'd learned a lesson and would score the goals to keep us up as payback. Which he did. So the 2 cases are not the same apart from both getting 2 reds.Let Barton take his personality disorder somewhere else and disrupt another club's team spirit. The man is poison, as another poster said. If I was a solid pro on a fraction of his wages,eg like Derry, Hill I would not welcome his presence in the dressing room. R's fans are willing to forgive people who win them over with their efforts ( eg Furlong) but it's up to the player to win us over. Barton will never do that cos he is always an explosion waiting to happen. GET RID AT ANY PRICE!

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isawqpratwcity added 12:04 - May 19 Who the f*ck speaks for "every R's fan" or "true QPR fan". Pull your head in, boys, this ain't the Third Reich. I'm not condoning what he did: he was played for a sucker by Tevez and then dug himself deeper afterwards, but he is a talented, intelligent footballer who still can lead QPR if he gets it together. Agreed that Derry has so much more dignity and has held the team together when JB couldn't, but Derry's (God bless 'im!) legs aren't getting any younger. Barton has demonstrated QPR spirit and captain ability, give him another chance, there isn't anyone else to replace him in this squad.,

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connell10 added 12:10 - May 19 toast-r you wouldnt be spouting such rubbish if stoke hadnt of scored and saved us! BARTON IS A TOOL ALWAYS HAS BEEN, FOREVER WILL BE, I NEVER EVER WANT TO SEE THAT THUG PLAYING FOR MY TEAM AGAIN!
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