QPR legend Paul Parker has urged the club to sack Joey Barton.
Parker told West London Sport in January he believed R’s boss Mark Hughes – his former Manchester United team-mate – should strip Barton of the Rangers captaincy.
And he has told the Daily Star on Sunday the controversial midfielder ought to be kicked out of Loftus Road altogether following a violent outburst against Manchester City.
Parker said: “People are saying that Barton should be stripped of the captaincy. But I would go much, much further than that and actually sack him. That should be allowed because his latest actions were such a disgrace.
“It wasn’t long ago that he was claiming to be England’s best midfielder. I would say all he has proved to everyone is that he is England’s biggest-ever football thug.
“His actions were so selfish in such an important game for his club. But it’s not just that which winds me up – it’s the fact he is given another chance when he keeps letting people down.
“He is an adult, not a baby. He claims he is a changed man and is trying to rehabilitate himself – but it’s just a smokescreen. If you did what he did in the street you would be sent to prison.
“I actually believe that, deep down, none of his QPR team-mates will want to play with him. I think the world of QPR and that club deserve better people than him pulling on the shirt.”
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This post was last modified on 21/05/2012
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Really geoff??
Paul Parker was one of our best ever players and a regular England international. Unlike a few of our current single figure capped players...
His opinion re: Joey Barton is valid to me, and I would guess that he knows more about playing for QPR than most.
I feel conned by Joey this season. His fault or not, he is the highest paid player in our history. This should equate to the best player in our history and I'm afraid that he has been a long way short in this regard.
It's true that post Liverpool his form had turned, and I thought upto the incident at City he was having a half decent game.
What we all need to remember though is that the two red cards (and bans) COULD have been enough to see us relegated.
I don't feel honour bound to support him throughout what will probably be a 10 match ban, and if the club decides to save some money and free up a spot for someone else in the squad, then that's fine with me as well.
-I'm not sure anyone would buy Joey, so sacking may be the only way for the club to get rid. Anyone who listened to Open All R's podcast would have heard about how hard it was for Newcastle to shift Barton out...
Is his behavior really morally bad? Maybe he shouldn't have retaliated to Tevez but he was punched in the head. Here's a short article about Barton and his philosophy http://youkantbeserious.com/2012/05/14/barton-nietzsche/
Paul Parker is a Rangers legend and one of the best centre halfs to ever pull on the jersey.
I agree with Parker. Barton is a disgrace, especially as a player. And his behaviour sucks. Sack him, we can do without his mistakes.
Paul Parker is not a QPR legend.....and what he thinks means nothing to me or the club. Its up to the club to decide.