Although Griff is....

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

Answers

If Barton can't make the squad after last weeks shambles, why the hell isn't he on the transfer list?
He is being paid very good money, and if we aren't going to use him, we should lose him.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

What's going on here ? Although I don't have a lot of time for Barton, I can appreciate his attitude, so to go from star to non- starter in about two weeks, smacks of something whiffy in the background to me, probably the smell of burning boats.

And I suppose we'll see fat fred in print in 5 year's time saying it was a mistake to get rid of him, and probably Lee and Speed as well, like he's just done regarding Ferdinand in this morning's Journal, although there's no real comparison between the worth of Barton and Speed and that of Sir Les, imho. Lee might just about compare.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

The Chron says that BR will play Hughes at right back before Griff. Why? I also think it very strange that Barton goes from 'ist name on the team sheet' to not even getting in the squad totally bizarre.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

It's because he hasn't put in a transfer request. Lee has just taken a leaf out of Given's book in how to keep a place in the team.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

What's that then? Go into a big girly huff if you're not first choice a la Given?

Feel sorry for Warren but I'll be more p*ssed off if Hughes plays right back before Griffin.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

Lynda, I thought Aaron looked as comfortable as Griffin at right back - Griff was awful against Liverpool and got skinned by Ryan Giggs by his own admission (although I don't think anyone would hold that against him!). The question is whether we want to piss off a promising player like Griff who IS a rightback by playing a utility player in his place - probably not.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

Fair points Dougal mate.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

Actually, Lynda, I half-think that YBR just "fancy" Griffin - I don't know whether it's his fitness or what, but he seems to have reservations.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

Soz, that should have read "doesn't fancy".

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

The wings aren't so important tomorrow as Everton have been playing a lot through the middle this season. A strong midfield and a solid centre of defence is more of a priority than full backs IMHO. Hughes is better at distribution to the wide men than Griffin is, so maybe that is BR's thinking.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

Well looks like our midfield is Speed and Acuna again.Hmmmmmmmmm.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

According to the Ronnie, "BR apologises to Warren Barton for leaving him out of the squad!"

Just what sort of bollox is that? Can someone at SJP please have our Manager's sanity checked out - before he invades Poland!

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

Clarky, I was worried about that. In the interview, he said "Hughes and Griffin are now ahead of him". I don't see how that can be the case. Griff has been injured and, as discussed, hasn't been great when playing and Hughes isn't thought of as an out-and-out rightback. I'm not arguing against the selection but publicising so thin an argument to me seems mad.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

That's alright, he can blame the Chronicle for revealing Barton's omission if we lose.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2001