Joey Barton

[Shanks]

If a footballer murdered someone, would your reaction be "Ah well, he's a footballer and he is stupid, bless him. It's no big deal really" ?

Of course not. At least, i hope not.

Thats a bollox argument right there..

[TheElephantMan]

And i also think he's an utter **** as well. What's your point?

If a footballer murdered someone, would your reaction be "Ah well, he's a footballer and he is stupid, bless him. It's no big deal really" ?

Of course not. At least, i hope not.

I dont think acknowledgement that someone is stupid and 'does stupid things' negates the seriousness of cunty actions and makes them any less cunty. Footballer or not, stupid or otherwise, someone who acts like a cunt is, generally speaking, a cunt.

If a footballer ends up in prison then they wouldn't be able to play for us. I disagree totally with your last paragraph, everybody is capable of being a cunt. You must live some weird perfect existence where lovely people are lovely to all the other lovely people all of the time?!

[Shanks]

Gerrard:
Not guilty of affray having thrown a couple of punches

Is what you know of, because it's been reported..

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

I wanna see/read the Twitter conversation between Craig and joey baton.

[Shanks]

not sure how you think that answers what is a perfectly reasonable question.

a little defensive tonight mr shanks

Eh?

Who or what are you representing tonight?

[CJ]

Eh?

Who or what are you representing tonight?

i asked if past behaviour was relevant when looking at a player and if it is where would you draw the line

i see why you have so few posts if you struggle with things like that.

[Kenneth]

How about stopping this cryptic rubbish. You can call it Unreported, but it's actually rumour and folklore. Anything more concrete?

[Shanks]

well you dont think his past behaviour is a problem.

What past behaviour would be a problem or do you think that it is not relevant

No.. and Not relevant...

[TheElephantMan]

How about stopping this cryptic rubbish. You can call it Unreported, but it's actually rumour and folklore. Anything more concrete?

Let's get the facts out here. If there's something worth discussing then I want to know the details.

[CJ]

The process of recruitment is, more than ever, a strategic operation. At a first team level, due diligence must be afforded to potential multi-million pound acquisitions. The initial player recommendations of the scout are followed up by at least 3 to 4 more viewings from ‘other’ senior staff. Subsequently, three positive reports will trigger a ‘buying’ mechanism, ‘the beauty of having different people is that different people watch different things. They have a slightly different eye, depending on their experience, their personality or background as maybe a coach or maybe a player… the diversity is key… you want to develop a situation where people can challenge, challenge me or the manager. You know, saying that’s my opinion, you may not agree with me but I’ll give you my opinion because that’s the way I think and that’s what I’ve seen… you want your scouts to be strong, not sit on the fence, make a recommendation, yes, no, why. You want a strong recommendation either way.’ Comolli recognises that today’s outlay on players requires more than just a playing recommendation. The recommendation must go beyond the pitch. Compiled reports require information about the player’s lifestyle, his approach to training, what he eats and drinks, his family and his background. The narrative conjures up images of scouts being schooled watching re-runs of the exploits Jim Rockford or Eddie Shoestring. Yet understanding every aspect of a player is critical in guiding the ultimate call as to whether you spend a few million. There are no guarantees. We are all fully aware of those players that have not travelled well or settled well into their new club. High outlay and high expectations with little or no delivery or reward (no matter what the circumstances) is an equation that Comolli wishes to avoid. Reducing the risk is paramount. Comolli explains that his role is to try to anticipate whether a player will adapt to life in his new club, with his new team mates, his new city (new country even) or new environment before the club signs them. The club then works with the player’s agent to help the player and his family to settle and become more independent. This post-signature aspect of player recruitment has been traditionally neglected by numerous factions within football. Comolli maintains that this is a critical part of his and the club’s role

looks like it is at least a bit relevant

[Red_Polo]

Oh come off it mate. I've seen the apparent CCTV footage, I know what the court said but at the same time I'm not naive. Suppose he wasn't throwing those punches out of self-defence. Do you really think that compares with the kind of prick who stubs a cigar out in a teammate's eye, batters someone senseless with 20 punches, and decks another teammate?

Worst case scenario, Gerrard is a great player who got off a charge following an idiotic scuffle in Southport.

Best case scenario, Barton is a good player, but an alcoholic with behavioural difficulties and serial violent crime convictions.

[TheElephantMan]

looks like it is at least a bit relevant

Sounds like complete bollocks to me. The player's family and background? That would eliminate most of the top players in the Premiership.

[CJ]

its what comolli said in an interview

[TheElephantMan]

its what comolli said in an interview

It's bollocks. The ****ing England team is made up of people with dodgy backgrounds, why would anybody give a **** about a footballer's family or upbringing? They're not working with children or in the legal profession, they kick a football for a living. Most of them are thick.

[CJ]

oky doky