Joey Barton joined Burnley tonight, having last year expressed relief that he didn't have to live in the place. He was captured on free transfer from QPR earlier today.
He arrives at Turf Moor, firing broadsides at 'lazy' Premier League clubs who thought he wasn't worth a punt. Barton said Premier League clubs in the bottom half of the table were snubbing him on the basis of past temperament issues. Purely from a footballing perspective, signing him on a free was a 'no-brainer' in his estimation.
I felt I did well enough last year in a side that was struggling to earn another crack at that league.
My playing ability is good enough to cope in that league. But people then start worrying about the baggage and how I'll contribute to the group or how I'll react if I'm not playing, which is lazy on their behalf.
If you're a Premier League club and you had the opportunity to take me on a free transfer, I think it's a no-brainer. If you're anyone from 10th down, it's a no-brainer.
West Ham were set to buy him last week but pulled out at the last minute. It was a frustrating night for Barton.
Barton will presumably have to move to Burnley. Last year he was inclined to pity those cursed with residency in Burnley and give praise to the lord that he had not to endure the same existence.
@GaryMurg We might be crap. We may well be really over rated but at least we don't have to live in Burnley!
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) May 4, 2014
Barton laughed off the tweet, saying it was light-hearted and that social media is always likely to bite you in the arse in the end.
[Mirror]
