Quite a few city fans used to say that and i'd have to go with the views of people who saw him week in week out but he always seemed to show up in big games. I know i'd have rather had Ireland in my team he's really stepped up this season and was suprised he didn't win young player of the year. As Kevster said Nolan commited a far worse tackle a few months ago but there wasn't this much outrage the fact is Barton is seen as the bad boy of football and is jumped upon by the media if he farts in the wrong direction saying that theres only so many chances a player can be given.

That was a bad un by Nolan, but difference is the games significance this time IMO. As a fan I would have been fuming too

Also I saw Mr Ireland at HP in reserve game against Bolton before he got in 1st team and thought he was something special then.

Shearer put a lot of faith in Joey, he was a key part of his plan. Instead of acting as one of our most important players, he loses his head (as always). Shearer rightly condemns in, Barton acts like the insolent primadona that he is and Shearer does the right thing. How is that scapegoating?

He once scored 5 against RMI in a pre season friendly and I thought the same thing.



Oh, and Barton is a cock and isn't fit to be playing in the Premierleague, he is no rolemodel and shouldn't be given anymore chances. He isn't even good enough for a premierleague team. I don't rate him.

Seems Drogba and his pathetic rant has taken the heat off Barton .



Chelsea should sign him he'd fit right in with the other tit heads they've got like Drogba , Bollack and Terry

Short memories you Fred the Reds.

Just wait untill Sunday when you get another ar$e kicking in your cup final

Come on now......you wouldn't get that sort of disgraceful behaviour from those paragons of fair play and sportsmanship.......Sir Alex would not condone that sort of carry on!!





















............my AR$E!!!

United did it regularly a while back but Chelsea have had the "moaners" title for quite some time now.



I'll give United some credit, they went about the Darren Fletcher thing properly without berating the referee too much.



Admittedly Chelsea did have a couple of genuine penalty shouts but Droga got what he deserved for me. The guy dives around all over the place, and gets away with it regularly. John Terry sets a terrible example as England captain as well... he's always after the referee's.

Mine is not a dig at United per se.......just showing that with football in general it is laughable to even bother with a 'Respect' campaign......they're all prima donnas and tarts!!

Shearer cannot lecture anyone on fair play The Watcher recalls him kicking Neil Lennon in the head,on purpose, and then threatening the FA that he would retire from international football if they banned him.As a certain ex Newcastle chairman once said ,Shearer is a big Mary Poppins.

Hey !!!! nobodies calling my mate Shearer tonight I doubled up with the Sheep Utd match ,...... quids in