Barton berates QPR boo boys
Joey Barton has admitted his performance during QPR’s 3-2 win over Liverpool was the worst of his career, but still slammed those that booed him.
The R's captain was replaced midway through the second half by Jamie Mackie, who snatched a last-gasp winner against the Reds having been 2-0 down.
Barton’s departure was met with cheers from the home crowd, who booed him off the pitch when his number went up on the fourth official's electronic board.
"I was awful tonight," Barton said via his Twitter account. "Worst I've ever played in my career.
"But we WON.......and that's the most important thing. Onwards and upwards.
"Disappointed with fans booing, [we are] meant to be in it together.
"They won't break me, guaranteed. I've been through much worse.
"Enough of the negative **** anyway. What a ******* result, great spirit shown by the boys and loyal fans tonight. Not the bells that booed."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
The 29-year-old later posted: "Form is temporary, class is permanent."
QPR manager Mark Hughes was questioned about the reception Barton received after the match, but claimed to have not noticed it.
"I was not aware of that," Hughes said. "Joey was not having the best of times.
"It was unfortunate that maybe a few felt the need to possibly boo him, but Joey is very strong as we all know.
"He won't let it affect him and he will play a big part in what we do from now until the end of the season.
"Tonight was not his night, but there will be other nights."
Nick Moore is a freelance journalist based on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. He wrote his first FourFourTwo feature in 2001 about Gerard Houllier's cup-treble-winning Liverpool side, and has continued to ink his witty words for the mag ever since. Nick has produced FFT's 'Ask A Silly Question' interview for 16 years, once getting Peter Crouch to confess that he dreams about being a dwarf.
‘After Manchester City’s recent form, maybe they’re the underdogs against Manchester United!’ Former Red Devils defender on this weekend’s derby
‘Arteta, Alonso, Emery, me… none of us were physical players – we needed the understanding of the game. That probably helped us move into management’: Premier League boss reveals reasons for natural career progression