Joey's just a liability - The Sun

Since then, I have never seen him dominate a game — or be the difference between two sides.

And because his footballing ability is never going to get the headlines, he seems determined to get attention by whatever means necessary.

He seems to thrive off people having a go at him and then having a pop back.

Maybe I should open a Twitter account to keep him happy.

But after landing a 12-match ban for his carry-on at Manchester City on the final day of the season, rather than just lashing out at anyone who criticises him, maybe he should consider keeping quiet and going about his business.

Because the reality is that he has become a liability for QPR.

No manager expects to have a dressing room full of angels and you will allow players to get away with indiscretions if they deliver on the park.

I got myself into a few scrapes when I was at Manchester United but when it happened I played a guilt trip on myself. I was saying, 'Bloody hell, I better play well and make sure we win a trophy.'

I felt like I had to make up for it and obviously Alex Ferguson took the view that whatever I might have done, it was still worth having me — and it was the same with Eric Cantona.

But would a manager take the same view with Barton? Is he really worth having at your club if he is going to cause nothing but trouble?

That's what Mark Hughes must be thinking right now.

When Sparky took over at QPR in January, Barton missed his first two games in charge because he had been sent off for head-butting Bradley Johnson. Now he is going to miss the first 12 matches of next season because of what he did at the Etihad Stadium.

Some people reckon he has been hard done by. I disagree. I know from experience that if you are charged by the FA then you're in for it.

Barton was guilty of three sending-off offences in quick succession at City. He had five previous red cards in his career. They were always going to throw the book at him. And I didn't think much of his mealy-mouthed apology either.

He said at the time: "I apologise to everyone offended by it. If that's not enough for some, so be it. Life's too short."

That's not sincere, there's no remorse. If you want people to forgive you, you don't just say, 'I'm sorry, like it or lump it'.

It's not like the first time he has stepped out of line but there's no indication that he's willing or able to change.

I'm all for people getting second chances but how many chances does one person need?

The thing is, it's not as easy as saying QPR should get rid of him.

He's got three years to go on a contract worth £70,000. Who is going to take him?

QPR might have reckoned they were doing good business when they signed him on a Bosman transfer last summer — but there was a reason why Newcastle let him go on a free.

He did OK at Newcastle but they came to the conclusion that they were better off without him and, as it turned out, it looks like they were.

For QPR, it's a little different. Barton had 12 months to go on his contract when Newcastle decided to cut their losses.

Do QPR decide to just take a hit of £11million and let him go as well?

That's an awful lot of money to pour down the drain.

If it turns out they are willing to take such a gigantic hit, Barton will know just how big a liability he has become.

He might find someone else willing to give him another chance... but he is going to run out of them pretty soon.

TIMING is everything for a manager — far more important than for a player. That's why the likes of Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers have to think carefully about their next move.

I'm speaking from experience. In my last season at Sunderland we were talking about a new contract after we made a decent start. Four weeks later I was out of a job.

You can be hailed as the next best thing one minute then the next thing you know you're sacked.

Last season, people thought Martinez was crazy to turn down Aston Villa to stay with Wigan.

It turned out to be a good call. Alex McLeish went instead and has since been sacked.

While his stock has slumped, Martinez's is enhanced after another year of keeping Wigan in the Premier League.

Now is the time for the Spaniard to go and if I were him I'd jump at the chance to go to Liverpool.

It might not be the best time in the club's history but it's still a great job. Put it this way, I'd take it and my mobile is on!

People may wonder why Swansea boss Rodgers has turned down the chance to speak to the Reds.

Well, there's a hell of a difference between being invited for talks and being offered a job.

You don't want to appear desperate because if things didn't work out it might be hard to go back to Swansea as if nothing happened.

But Liverpool will always be a bigger club than either Swansea or Wigan and if a chance comes to go there, you've got to take it because it might never come around again.