The Dreaded Transfer Window - Jan 2011

Everyone knows that when January comes around the transfer market of the English Premier League opens again for 31 days. It is a time when teams make a grab for players who will strengthen their squad and help the win trophies. For players it is a time to strengthen their game, get their dream move, or leave a place they are unhappy. Ok, most of that is a lot of crap. It is about money and money only.

Fans love it when players state their love for the club, say that they want to spend many years their, and want to end their career as one of them. Cristiano Ronaldo professed his love for Man Utd and even signed a new contract only to leave a few months later. He had gone on Sky Sports to interview "himself" and say he wanted to stay. But what most of the general public knew was that a deal with Satan United aka Real Madrid had already been in the works. He knew he was leaving and mislead the fans when he did that interview. Fans mean little to this man though Twitter would make you think otherwise, but what can you expect from someone who spends more time with his supermodel girlfriend than with his son.

Now what does this all have to do with Joey Barton. Well Joey Barton has stated he would be willing to take a pay cut, A BLOODY PAY CUT to stay with Newcastle. Andy Carroll on the other hand, like Ronaldo, professed his love for his team, signed a new deal, and left anyways. He said he didn't want to leave. Well, here is a bright idea -- DON'T LEAVE THEN!! If you don't sign, you don't go. By even bringing up the fact that he would take a pay cut puts Joey Barton heads above other footballers these days.

Loyalty to your club, the club that pays your wages, allows you to live your lifestyle, sells your kits, and makes you who you are doesn't exist anymore. There are rare players like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes who have played more years with the same club than half of the players out there today. They play because they LOVE to play.

To leave your club after professing your love is nothing more than a slap in the face to every fan. You say it isn't about money, but your fans aren't stupid. Don't bother saying how much you "love" the club, because if you did you wouldn't have left. It is not as complicated as you make it out to be. You just come up with excuses to make yourself feel better and convince yourself that leaving was the right thing to do.

In the end the choice whether to stay or go is with the player, himself. You hope that they have mean what they say and that they will make you proud by wearing their shirt. In today's world, unfortuately, that happens less and less. Now, what does that say about the people we look up to and admire as players? Not much.

Now if more players would be willing to take a pay cut maybe we wouldn't be seeing Chrome Merc's lined up on the street and reading more stories about which callgirl slept with a which big named player. Instead we would hear about players that take stock in the club that makes them who they are and makes fans proud to wear their shirt.

*These are my two cents on the Transfer Window of January 2011. And yes, the blog is back after a year or more off.

Barton ready to show United fans best forms

JOEY BARTON is hoping to celebrate committing his future to Newcastle United by seeing off Fulham on Wednesday night.

The Chronicle revealed last Monday that Barton was prepared to finish his career with the Magpies and, after agreeing a long-term deal with United, he is expected to enjoy his peak years on Tyneside with talk of a return to the England side now being touted within the game’s circuit.


Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/01/31/barton-ready-to-show-united-fans-best-form-72703-28085008/#ixzz1CfQJhltr