With Joey Barton having returned to Turf Moor after a brief but ill-fated stint at Rangers, how do Burnley fans feel about the 34-year-old’s comeback?
After playing a major part in their promotion campaign, many Burnley fans were both surprised and shocked to see Joey Barton leave the club for Rangers in the summer. Despite not getting any younger, Barton was a real force for Sean Dyche’s side last season, operating as a midfield battler and distributor, as well as chipping in with a few goals, often in the form of free-kicks.
However, after suspecting his chances of regular football in the Premier League might become limited, Barton took up the option to move to Scotland, joining the former Brentford manager Mark Warburton at Ibrox. Seen as a coup by many Rangers fans, Barton was expected to really take the SPL by force.
Unfortunately though, things didn’t work out in Scotland, and after leaving the Glasgow giants, Joey Barton has now returned to Burnley, linking up with the team he helped guide to promotion. Seeing as Barton is a character who so often splits opinion, HITC Sport decided to ask Burnley fans for their thoughts on the former Newcastle and QPR midfielder’s return.
Burnley’s Joey Barton celebrates promotion
“Fantastic!” was the response from one Burnley fan, when asked for his thoughts on Joey Barton’s return. “He’s one of the best players I’ve seen for years”. Other Burnley fans also remarked on what a “superb signing” the return was, and how happy they were to see Barton back in the side.
“I can’t imagine he’s going to be as integral to us as he was last season, and I’m also a bit morally conflicted about the whole betting thing” remarked another Burnley fan, who was much more split on Barton’s return. However, one other Burnley fan insisted that Barton was “not a trouble maker” and just needed “someone who understands him, and Sean Dyche does and so do Burnley supporters”.
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Burnley’s Joey Barton
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