Joey Barton believes he would have featured in the England squad at Euro 2012 were it not for his behavioural problems on and off the pitch. He will serve a 12-match ban next season for kicking Sergio Aguero and clashing with Vincent Kompany after he was sent off at Manchester City. Barton, who won one England cap against Spain, wrote on Twitter: "Why are people saying 'can't get in squad etc'? "On ability I walk into the squad, on behaviour I don't... fact." Barton, who began his career at Manchester City and spent four years with Newcastle, was in the news again last week when he was arrested, and later bailed, following a brawl outside a nightclub in his native Liverpool. Continue reading the main story “I really hope England do well and win it, I really do. All am saying is I don't think we will” Joey Barton On the pitch, Barton was also sent-off against Norwich last season, while he also picked up 10 bookings. The QPR midfielder, who won his only cap in a 1-0 defeat under Steve McClaren in 2007, was critical of England coach Roy Hodgson's decision to draft in Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson following the injury to Frank Lampard. "If Henderson got in, any Englishman not currently in the squad has to feel aggrieved. Yes, I wish I was there but I'm not...," he said. "Everyone's thinking it, I'll say it. Liverpool have an horrific season and have six players in our Euro squad. What chance do we have? [The England manager should] Pick on form. "How [Grant] Holt, [Micah] Richards, [Michael] Carrick, [Rio] Ferdinand, [Leon] Osman, [Daniel] Sturridge etc never got involved is a travesty..." Barton insists he still wants England to do well at Euro 2012, but he is convinced they are unlikely to win the tournament. "I really hope England do well and win it, I really do. All am saying is I don't think we will," he tweeted. "If everyone stays fit, we've got a decent 11 once [Wayne] Rooney's back. "If any of the key players get a knock, we are done for. Three games in eight/nine days takes its toll on the body. If a few are carrying injuries from a long domestic season, it will show. Not being pessimistic, just a realist. "I am overqualified to pass judgement on this. Not only have I played in the Premier League for 10 years but I've played with and against most of them."
i think he's right, because the blokes a lovely person people don't see him as a top talent but he is, watch him on the field and forget about the man and you'll see he's as good as one or two in that squad
"If Henderson got in, any Englishman not currently in the squad has to feel aggrieved." he's got a point!
I agree with him,always thought ability wise that he's a cracking player,mentaly, he's a fookin' loon.
He's a self indulgent moron who talks utter cr@p and causes trouble everywhere he goes but he's right, he is good enough to be in the current England squad. That's more of an indictment on the current squad than a compliment to Bartons talent though.
He's spot on with most of that. He often is spot on, just likes to hear himself talk a bit too much. Talent wise, he's a fantastic midfielder, but the red mist has decended far too many times. I tend to like Barton for what he says and his views, but also despair at the madness that he tends to insitgate.
I know someone who coached him at newcastle. He said Barton was technically very average but worked hard and was a great self publisist
Av footballer but Chav in the highest order,AThug,a bully and a complete scouse lovely person who should never grace an England shirt.as are the tools that follow this overpaid moron on ****ter.
