joeys future role...

[Jogo]

If we do bring in more center midfielders, sadly I think it will be Faurlin who will make way. Can't see Barton being dropped. We really need someone who is useful on a dead ball.

[surrey_hoop]

If Harry persuades the board to bring in Fer and De Guzman, you would need to be a fervent Barton fan to make a solid case for him staying in the side. I think he has certain leadership qualities on the field that we lack, but for me that isn't enough to keep him in the first team if better players than him come in; to suggest that he is the first name on the team sheet is either a worrying aspect of Redknapp's management, or a sad indictment of our midfield options. Both of the Dutch boys are class acts, and should walk into our first 11. Barton and Faurlin to drop to the bench for me if they both join.

[surrey_hoop]

If we do bring in more center midfielders, sadly I think it will be Faurlin who will make way. Can't see Barton being dropped. We really need someone who is useful on a dead ball.

So we'll be dropping Barton as well then?

[Jogo]

So we'll be dropping Barton as well then?

Barton's not in the team solely for set pieces. I'm happy with Barton/Faurlin in the middle, just need someone else to take the corners and free kicks.

[West Acton]

We have been shocking at set pieces prob since we had Padula

[Jogo]

We have been shocking at set pieces prob since we had Padula

I was thinking the same thing. I can remember him scoring a couple of times direct from the corner.

[surrey_hoop]

Barton's not in the team solely for set pieces. I'm happy with Barton/Faurlin in the middle, just need someone else to take the corners and free kicks.

Which goes back to my original point - if he isn't in the team for his (decidedly average) set piece ability, and his all round play is below the level of Fer or De Guzman, then all he essentially will offer us after the end of the transfer window when we have hopefully brought in some quality in the middle of the park will be a commanding voice on the pitch - which Rio can provide just as well......that to me is not enough to warrant him starting.

[Jogo]

Which goes back to my original point - if he isn't in the team for his (decidedly average) set piece ability, and his all round play is below the level of Fer or De Guzman, then all he essentially will offer us after the end of the transfer window when we have hopefully brought in some quality in the middle of the park will be a commanding voice on the pitch - which Rio can provide just as well......that to me is not enough to warrant him starting.

I thought set pieces aside, Barton played well enough. His range of passing is good, he breaks up play well. Ultimately we had chances in the game, but didn't take them..that's life.

[QPR Richard]

I think he'd be good in a 4-4-2 in a diamond formation playing just in front of the centre backs, similar to how Liverpool play it with Gerrard.

[surrey_hoop]

I thought set pieces aside, Barton played well enough. His range of passing is good, he breaks up play well. Ultimately we had chances in the game, but didn't take them..that's life.

You're still missing my point. I'm not saying that Barton didn't play well, I'm saying that Fer or De Guzman (or both if Harry has his way) are simply better players than he is, and should start week in, week out....I think that Faurlin will make way if we only sign one of them, but if both come in then you really can't make a case for Barton starting ahead of either.

[Nick]

prob as a defensive midfielder with someone else doing the creative stuff. but if we get fer it gives harry a nice selection headache. im a big fan of faurlin's but hard to see him and joey playing.

btw - mirror reporting we are offering joey a new contract on 75 grand a week. can't believe we would offer more than half that this time.

The problem I've always had with Joey is he has a horrible habit of being a bit too full on in his challenges, a bit reckless at time's, basically I always hold my breath when he goes in for a challenge. And for him to play a more defensive role could be a bit risky especially against the notorious pre modoners of the premiership.... I'd be happy to see him just sitting in the middle controlling things more, maybe pushing forward and leaving the defensive work to the more naturally defensive player..... I did think he looked a bit vulnerable at times almost uncomfortable. But it was the first match back and I know he can play so I'm definitely not going to start doubting him on yesterday's game.

With new arrivals coming in it'll be interesting to see how/where Harry use's him though, be interesting to see if he becomes an automatic starter like he has been..... IF The Mirrors reports are correct then it suggests that he will be a starter, maybe even build a midfield around him?

[Kevin Mcleod]

Joey Out!

[surrey_hoop]

Joey Out!

Not out, just on the bench.

[Shania]

Based on this match, we simply have to bring in De Guzman and/or Fer. Our midfield play is indeed in an urgent need for a creative spark. Mutch looks promising, but Barton is definitly a def. midfielder for me.

[surrey_hoop]

The problem I've always had with Joey is he has a horrible habit of being a bit too full on in his challenges, a bit reckless at time's, basically I always hold my breath when he goes in for a challenge. And for him to play a more defensive role could be a bit risky especially against the notorious pre modoners of the premiership.... I'd be happy to see him just sitting in the middle controlling things more, maybe pushing forward and leaving the defensive work to the more naturally defensive player..... I did think he looked a bit vulnerable at times almost uncomfortable. But it was the first match back and I know he can play so I'm definitely not going to start doubting him on yesterday's game.

With new arrivals coming in it'll be interesting to see how/where Harry use's him though, be interesting to see if he becomes an automatic starter like he has been..... IF The Mirrors reports are correct then it suggests that he will be a starter, maybe even build a midfield around him?

Building our midfield around a player who is past his prime, and maybe only has a few years left at the top level would show a worrying lack of foresight on our part...especially if we could build a midfield around Fer for the next 7-8 years.