Barton 13:56 - Aug 17 with 10244 views | stansleftfoot | If Fer arrives, an international specialist central midfielder, how do you fit Barton into a starting eleven in a 3:5:2 side with candidates for 4 other places to be picked from : Isla, Traore, Yun, Simpson, Fer, Mutch, Faurlin, Hoilett, Phillips, and nominally SWP and Adel Taarabt who we will presumably replace as other players are touted as incoming. Other than HOW do you fit him in, I wonder WHY? ....is Joey Barton headed for the bench with a salary of £75k a week and an extension to his contract. Yesterday was a case in point, Joey heads the stats of chances created but he took every corner and free kick, his effort into the side netting; an attempt to beat a big keeper at the near post, was at the expense of a Faurlin left footed shot to the far post? I think Barton slows our game down, yes, he wins ball, covers acres of ground, he also hangs the ball in the air for lengthy periods of time, he loses possession, he takes his time, loses momentum and passes sideways. We have a richness of can-do players who do move off the ball, Austin works his socks off, and shows for 90 minutes, he invariably has to peel off and go again, why because Barton is not using Austin as the pivot. We saw the difference Phillips and Hoillet made. Bartons great stats are at the cost of our game in the bigger picture, I wonder where he fits in at this level in the long term? | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 14:20 - Aug 17 with 7968 views | stevec | Barton's importance as a leader protects his position on the pitch, but how he handles the presence of Rio and Hoddle is anyone's guess. There maybe trouble ahead. | ![](/images/avatars/6823.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 14:21 - Aug 17 with 7964 views | RANGERS4EVER | Have to say if Fer comes in i can only see one player being dropped and that is Faurlin | ![](/images/avatars/5155.gif) |
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Barton on 14:34 - Aug 17 with 7901 views | kysersosaqpr |
Barton on 14:21 - Aug 17 by RANGERS4EVER | Have to say if Fer comes in i can only see one player being dropped and that is Faurlin |
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Barton on 14:42 - Aug 17 with 7869 views | rsonist | I don't think anyone would analyse any of our performances with both in the side and conclude that Barton is more effective than Faurlin. And yet it's difficult to deny that we do play always better with Barton than without. One thing I would say though is that we'd be fools to be thinking in terms of a concrete XI playing every game with the same line-up. Different opposition, different demands - some games we'll be better off without the number 10 and playing all three in the middle. Some games we won't need three at the back (against one striker and a packed midfield for instance) and we'll be better with a traditional four. You only have to look at Liverpool last season and the variety they brought to their play. Even yesterday with Bruce tweaking the formation to gain the ultimately decisive advantage for a spell. If the planned transfers come off we'll have a nice range of options in the squad - hopefully Redknapp and Hoddle will be sharp enough to use them. | ![](/images/avatars/6250.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 14:50 - Aug 17 with 7847 views | daveB | Faurlin will be the one dropped, Barton looks pretty safe to me | ![](/images/avatars/1922.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 14:50 - Aug 17 with 7834 views | HollowayRanger | he's also captain now unlikey he will be dropped after just one game like the effort he puts in but totally agree about set pieces with teams so good at defending these days set pieces ARE VITAL corners freekicks penaltys all ours were poor yesterday | ![](/images/avatars/1268.gif) |
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Barton on 15:03 - Aug 17 with 7812 views | stansleftfoot |
Barton on 14:42 - Aug 17 by rsonist | I don't think anyone would analyse any of our performances with both in the side and conclude that Barton is more effective than Faurlin. And yet it's difficult to deny that we do play always better with Barton than without. One thing I would say though is that we'd be fools to be thinking in terms of a concrete XI playing every game with the same line-up. Different opposition, different demands - some games we'll be better off without the number 10 and playing all three in the middle. Some games we won't need three at the back (against one striker and a packed midfield for instance) and we'll be better with a traditional four. You only have to look at Liverpool last season and the variety they brought to their play. Even yesterday with Bruce tweaking the formation to gain the ultimately decisive advantage for a spell. If the planned transfers come off we'll have a nice range of options in the squad - hopefully Redknapp and Hoddle will be sharp enough to use them. |
Your point about bosses tweaking their set-ups is a concern but maybe Hoddle can address the somewhat confused manner with which we replace injured players or changes. It was exciting to see Hoillet in a central role and Phillips come on, it's a risky process, there is so much pace out there to catch a side out who go on the all out attack. Having done so we pretty much dominated, a number of you have mentioned the need for flexibility...there's certainly a flexibility about this squad and with a few 2-3 coming in it's going to be a much more positive experience for those of us with that nature...for the pessimists a game lost is almost a blessing in disguise....keep the faith! | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 16:01 - Aug 17 with 7682 views | Stantheman | Don't know what the dramas all about, we need a strong squad not just a strong 11 injuries and dips in form or tactical changes. There isn't a onesize fits all squad that we can afford that will beat every team in the league, we will probably need to take a different approach against everyone we play and that means player interchange. Don't panic drama queens. If the rumoured 75k for jb is true that's madness, but we need to have a replacement first, and decide with premier league money now comming in it might be better to stay put. | ![](/images/avatars/14645.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) | Login to get fewer ads
Barton on 16:51 - Aug 17 with 7568 views | Antti_Heinola | Currently we have virtually no options beyond the midfield 3 that played yesterday. I'm not counting Henry and hoilett isnt a realistic option to start as one of those 3 - only as an attacking option from the bench. So it really isnt much about who will be dropped, as others have said this is a squad game. Ale will get plenty of chances - he did well yesterday and will hopefully grow into the season, even if he doesnt start every week. | ![](/images/avatars/5743.gif) |
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Barton on 16:59 - Aug 17 with 7538 views | essextaxiboy | The stats say Barton and Mutch covered 7.6 miles each yesterday only bettered by 3 other players across the Premier League . He does go for the odd Holly wood pass but he completes a high% of shorter passes . He is first to a dropping ball in our box time after time to clear it. Set pieces need work but trying to hit them with pace leaves little room for error . If he wanted to float them in he could do it time after time . | ![](/images/avatars/1443.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 18:54 - Aug 17 with 7426 views | NW5Hoop |
Barton on 16:59 - Aug 17 by essextaxiboy | The stats say Barton and Mutch covered 7.6 miles each yesterday only bettered by 3 other players across the Premier League . He does go for the odd Holly wood pass but he completes a high% of shorter passes . He is first to a dropping ball in our box time after time to clear it. Set pieces need work but trying to hit them with pace leaves little room for error . If he wanted to float them in he could do it time after time . |
But that's the thing — he chips them all in and still never beats the first man! | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 19:03 - Aug 17 with 7395 views | Esgaroth |
Barton on 18:54 - Aug 17 by NW5Hoop | But that's the thing — he chips them all in and still never beats the first man! |
Hoddle was a dead ball specialist, i have a feeling he will be assessing everyone who fancies the job and teaching them how to hit the target regularly. Free kicks need to be whipped in at pace so our taller players can run onto them. | ![](/images/avatars/2743.gif) |
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Barton on 19:27 - Aug 17 with 7326 views | RuislipHoop | Barton will become a liability as the season progresses,his lack of pace will be a real problem. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 21:06 - Aug 17 with 7209 views | timcocking |
Barton on 14:21 - Aug 17 by RANGERS4EVER | Have to say if Fer comes in i can only see one player being dropped and that is Faurlin |
Indeed. | ![](/images/avatars/6086.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 21:10 - Aug 17 with 7200 views | CFW |
We need depth in our squad which we currently lack. Fer is a perfect addition to the squad/team. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 21:30 - Aug 17 with 7161 views | nadera78 |
Barton on 14:21 - Aug 17 by RANGERS4EVER | Have to say if Fer comes in i can only see one player being dropped and that is Faurlin |
Probably correct, but it's a poor state of affairs when our best footballer, and the man that acts as the centrepiece for all of our best play, is the one to be sacrificed. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 21:48 - Aug 17 with 7124 views | CFW |
Barton on 21:30 - Aug 17 by nadera78 | Probably correct, but it's a poor state of affairs when our best footballer, and the man that acts as the centrepiece for all of our best play, is the one to be sacrificed. |
The reason for making the comment was simply because there is no way both of those players will be able to play each week - what happens then? Ade especially has only just returned from a major injury and is not guaranteed to last the season. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 21:58 - Aug 17 with 7108 views | Spaghetti_Hoops | Faurlin will be the one to go. On merit. As much as I like to watch Ale, and always have, he is not the player many on this forum seem to think he is. If you look at his record for goals and assists since he joined us there just isn't enough end product. His lack of pace is also a problem in the PL. As a ball winning playmaker in the Championship he was good. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Barton on 22:31 - Aug 17 with 7056 views | qprewan | I fully accept that Joey has earned his right to be in the team but do question his apparent god given right to take every free kick and corner. yesterday his delivery was abysmal; on many occasions failing to beat the 1st man. His free kick into the side netting was quite frankly ridiculous; yes any set piece outside the box on the left or centre then let joey have a go but everyone in the ground except Barton knew that that free kick needed to be hit by a left footer- but Barton's ego unfortunately got in the way again. contrast with Robert Snodgrass who took a succession of quality corners in the 1st half without apparently feeling the need to gesticulate and tell his team mates where they should be. Have some class Joey and let someone else have a go occasionally.. [Post edited 17 Aug 2014 22:33]
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Barton on 00:20 - Aug 18 with 6973 views | kysersosaqpr |
Barton on 21:58 - Aug 17 by Spaghetti_Hoops | Faurlin will be the one to go. On merit. As much as I like to watch Ale, and always have, he is not the player many on this forum seem to think he is. If you look at his record for goals and assists since he joined us there just isn't enough end product. His lack of pace is also a problem in the PL. As a ball winning playmaker in the Championship he was good. |
+1 | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) |
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Barton on 10:19 - Aug 18 with 6826 views | QPunkR |
Barton on 22:31 - Aug 17 by qprewan | I fully accept that Joey has earned his right to be in the team but do question his apparent god given right to take every free kick and corner. yesterday his delivery was abysmal; on many occasions failing to beat the 1st man. His free kick into the side netting was quite frankly ridiculous; yes any set piece outside the box on the left or centre then let joey have a go but everyone in the ground except Barton knew that that free kick needed to be hit by a left footer- but Barton's ego unfortunately got in the way again. contrast with Robert Snodgrass who took a succession of quality corners in the 1st half without apparently feeling the need to gesticulate and tell his team mates where they should be. Have some class Joey and let someone else have a go occasionally.. [Post edited 17 Aug 2014 22:33]
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"Have some class Joey"??? You've never heard of the bloke then I presume! In all seriousness, it's frankly ridiculous that by far and away the best passer in the squad will be dropped by Redknapp just to keep Joey 'hit the 1st man' Barton in the team. Ale was pinging passes about that Barton couldn't even make on bloody Pro Evo, while the Scouse Jesus proceeded to hit the ball straight into touch/to the opposition at every opportunity. And yet he still gets a free ride. We do indeed need a squad for the Premiership rather than a 1st XI, but by my reckoning out of that midfield 2 it should be Faurlin 1st choice with Barton a (distant) 2nd | ![](/images/avatars/5500.gif) |
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Barton on 11:40 - Aug 18 with 6770 views | Antti_Heinola | Sigh. If we've got 4 midfielders with Fer, they'll all play plenty of games. This is a silly argument. | ![](/images/avatars/5743.gif) |
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Barton on 11:49 - Aug 18 with 6751 views | QPunkR |
Barton on 11:40 - Aug 18 by Antti_Heinola | Sigh. If we've got 4 midfielders with Fer, they'll all play plenty of games. This is a silly argument. |
No it's not. Even if you only had 3 central midfielders for 2 spots then you'll still have your best 2 starting there more often than not. | ![](/images/avatars/5500.gif) |
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Barton on 14:29 - Aug 18 with 6657 views | simmo | Maybe we shouldnt have such a go at Barton about his corners.... | ![](/images/avatars/1322.gif) |
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