Has Mark Hughes really got the bottle...

[Sotonsuperhoop]

to drop Joey?

Most on here and on other forums see Mr Barton as a major disappointment this season and listening to various radio shows last Friday and Saturday even the pundits were asking the question of what does he actually do on the pitch and what does he bring to a team?

I think we are all of the opinion the if he was as good on the field as he is at tweeting he'd be a great player, but sadly he's not.

IMHO we'd be much better starting with either Mackie or Buszaky, both of which, despite their relatively cameo roles this season have performed far greater than the said Mr Barton when given a chance.

For us to stay up everyone needs to perform and Joey just hasn't, all season.

[BennyBoyRs]

Barton at least works. Does far more for us than most give credit for.

Drop him and our midfield is weak. We'd get proper bullied then. Diakate is still oo much of a liability to rely on as he still makes rash challenges. Good player, but he's a bit simple. The amount of ground Barton covers to break things up seems to always go unoticed. Any mistake he makes is always quick to be highlighted.

[vblockranger]

I agree Barton covers lots of ground and his break up play isnt as bad as some make out but ffs his passing and distribution is atrocious and he constantly gives possession away.

[Mellowhoop]

And play buz and Derry? I will book my ticket for Leeds away now.

[KentHoopNSV]

.... under Warnock? They could yet go up?!!!

[Timmy the Doc]

In many games Barton has been one of our best. But we all waited more, especially when he had such a good spell with Newcastle. Think he paired very well with Faurlin and I don't remember anyone blaming him then? I really hope he raises his level in our remaining games.

[QPRDave]

Barton at least works. Does far more for us than most give credit for.

Drop him and our midfield is weak. We'd get proper bullied then. Diakate is still oo much of a liability to rely on as he still makes rash challenges. Good player, but he's a bit simple. The amount of ground Barton covers to break things up seems to always go unoticed. Any mistake he makes is always quick to be highlighted.

Good post, agree!

[West Acton]

He is not half as bad as people make out. I still think he is worth his place in the team

[winalotto]

His best spell for the Toon was wide right , getting quality crosses in and taking free kicks.. That's where he should play for us , move him out the middle not got the legs to play in there. Between him and SWP on the right.

[DouDou_87]

A lot of people on here, myself included, have said how dissapointed we are in Barton. To be fair I've been dissapointed with most of our players this season, it's just Barton seems to offer less and less each week.

People highlight Barton's work rate, but surely that is a given? Especially for a central midfielder, especially for a Captain. You could put me in centre mid and I would run all game, I'd contribute nothing else, but I'd cover a lot of ground.

The Barton debate will divide fans as much as the Taarabt debate earlier in the season. IMO Barton has not played well, his passing is loose, his set pieces are woeful, only 2 goals all season, I've lost count of the amount of opposing central midfielders who have exposed his lack of pace and had him in their pocket. His attitude winds me up more and more each game. To sum it up he's been s**t.

However, a midfield three of Barton, Buz and Samba could work and we are not exactly flush with quality options in CM, so he will not be dropped, and rightfully so. Hughes needs to pull him to one side and have a frank conversation with him, maybe a few of the other players to.

If we are to have any chance of staying up we will need him to perform.

[72bus]

dropping jb is not the answer, we are where we are in the pl because we are one of the worst teams. certain players have not performed, to many stupid mistakes , lack of quality take your pick. most of the players dont look like they are hurt enough when they walk off the pitch . the bolton result ruined my weekend but i will take my seat at the next game hopeful we can win . barton was clever enough to get his supposed salary good luck to him he is no better or worse than any of the other players. the buck stops with the man that picks the team and from what ive seen from that ponce in the suit is lots of excuses

[winalotto]

The player that's disappointed me the most is SWP, i think he has been really poor.

[Hitman34]

of course hughes has the bottle to drop him. the problem is we have not got noone better to replace him with

[Timmy the Doc]

The player that's disappointed me the most is SWP, i think he has been really poor.

He was our best home against Newcastle, and played promising games after that too. But then Mackie came in and Warnock started to play SWP left wing, where he lost totally his self confidence and season too. My ManC friend cannot understand why SPW doesn't use his pace and good balance to go through defenses. I think he cannot be that poor he has been in at least 5-6 last games. Think he would be one of our best if he had been right wing all season.

[winalotto]

He was our best home against Newcastle, and played promising games after that too. But then Mackie came in and Warnock started to play SWP left wing, where he lost totally his self confidence and season too. My ManC friend cannot understand why SPW doesn't use his pace and good balance to go through defenses. I think he cannot be that poor he has been in at least 5-6 last games. Think he would be one of our best if he had been right wing all season.

He has enough quality to play both left and right, sorry dont go with all this play him on the right brigade, he played for Chelsea,City, and England and has turned out on the left-hand side for all these. He has been a major disappointment in my eyes.