FANS COMMENT

Why we should sign Joey Barton

Following his most recent indescretion, Joey Barton will surely be leaving Manchester City in the summer and inevitable press speculation is linking him with Everton. It's a highly devisive issue but, assuming that a deal could be made, I think it should be seriously considered.

Despite being only 23, Barton has a lengthy list of controversy:

• In 2004, he stubbed a cigar out in the eye of City youth team player Jamie Tandy.
• In 2006, on a pre-season tour to Thailand he attacked a 15 year-old Everton supporter.
• In March 2007, he was arrested for suspected assault on a taxi driver in Liverpool city centre.
• And then earlier this month, he allegedly assualted teammate Ousmane Dabo during training.

Joey Barton clearly has his demons, but should this curriculmum vitae make Moyes steer clear? I'm not so sure... The biggest reason why Barton makes an unlikely signing for Everton lies not so much as his weaknesses as his strengths. In an interview before his first England cap he made what appeared to be sensible and refreshing comments about England's "stars":

"England did nothing in that World Cup, so why were they bringing books out? 'We got beat in the quarter-finals. I played like shit. Here's my book'."

But also reminded us what his strengths are:

"If they want somebody to do the crap jobs for them, then I'd like to think I was capable of doing that. Win the ball back, give it to either one of them and let them pull the strings - that's fine by me."

Combative on the pitch, and also off it: he was offering to be the much needed and welcome man to "rattle some cages". Everton are crying out for a battling, ball winning, heart-on-the-sleeve central midfielder to boss and game and refuse to give in. Barton's hero is Peter Reid and to combine a UEFA cup challenge with another strong Premiership campaign we're crying out for an enforcer. But the last thing we need is a disruption to the team spirit and morale that has lied beneath all of our success under Moyes. Can he be the team-player, do the crap jobs, win the ball back... but only rattle the cages of the opposition?

The romantic's view is that Barton's inner demons stem from his detachment from home. A move back to Everton (where he started his career) - and the city of Liverpool - would ground him, harmonise him, and create solidarity with his teammates and himself. It wouldn't be the first time that Everton signed an aggressive, troubled footballer and turned him into a legend. But do Barton's issues rune deeper?

According to some of the Evertonians who witnessed Barton's Thai assault, he preceeded the attack by complaining that Everton had "too many niggers in the team". Rumour has it before nearly blinding Tandy he mocked the youth teamer for their salary differences. And then he infamously bore his bare arse to the Park End. But these claims are either unsubstantiated, vague, or simply trivial. There's a definate guilt-by-association aspect to these accusations, following Barton's brother's jailing for a racist killing. Lest in be forgot, during that incident it was Joey who refused to help his brother and told him to go to the police.

What I don't understand is the degree of moral judgement surrounding Barton. Unlike Lee Bowyer or Craig Bellamy Joey Barton hasn't had a second chance and a fresh start at a new club. And without detracting from his despicable behaviour, a football club that only signed model professionals is incompatible with the modern game. Many times over the last few years Everton have lacked a little heart, and for that you need players that are a little nasty. If Wayne Rooney scores a winner against us and then proceeds to take the piss with a flurry of step overs, I want an Everton player to make him hurt.

The main reason to avoid Barton like the plague is the risk it will have on the balance of the team. But next season won't be like this one. With UEFA cup responsibilities, the campaign will be totally different. Standing still is not an option. Preservation won't work. Moyes needs to make some big decisions, and therefore needs to take risks: Nothing ventured nothing gained. And as risks go, a player of Barton's footballing ability, together with the fact that he's local, means he's a risk worth taking.

I'd offer him a second chance. I'd look after him. I'd try to make him a hero.

Next week: Why Ian Huntley would make a great 'keeper

Responses:

Why make a joke about Ian Huntley especially when Madeleine McCann is currently missing in worrying circumstances?
Tom

I think Tom is being overly sensitive; it was just a joke about playing devil's advocate with no crudeness or malice behind it. I do, however, disagree with Anthony Evans. Barton is the kind of player who simply does not have a place in modern football.

Anthony may be right about how useful his style of play can be to a team, and it is a shame that there are fewer and fewer players in the Barton/Carsley mould nowadays, but I never want to see that man in an Everton shirt.

He should have received a lifetime ban from professional football right after the incident with Jamie Tandy, and if football clubs had any real will to move the game forward, they would all boycott transfer talks with him.

Do you really want your children to see his performances in royal blue and begin to idolise him? Think back to Big Dunc, a great player and a true Everton legend, but a thug nonetheless. Michael Owen is a model professional; Brian Labone is a fantastic role-model.

Joey Barton? He has proven himself to be a thug, and the last person we need Everton to be associated with when entering Europe. Remember what happened last time we took a player with a reputation into a European match?
Xan Wesson

I agree with Anthony Evans, but who are these self-appointed guardians of moral values who replied to the article? You holier than though, puritanical pricks. Yes, Joey Barton is a nasty piece of work but I would happily let him stub a cigar out in my eye if it meant Everton could rise to a greater level of achievement. No he's not a very nice person but I've never seen him commit a crime against football on the pitch like Gerrard on Naysmith or Keane on Haaland. Barton could give us something we don't currently have....a desire and will to win, & that's what it's all about (at any cost in my opinion). One thing though, I would sign him to play alongside Fernandes not to replace him. If it's a straight choice, Fernandes any day.
Gary Hughes

Want to comment on this article? Drop us a line.

"Fans Comment" articles are submitted by outside contributors to ToffeeWeb. The views contained therein may not correspond with those of the site owners. Editorial policy