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Barton tries, but fails to spark QPR

Comment: 0 September 13th, 2011 by: admin

QUEEN’S Park Rangers hoped Joey Barton could give them the needed spark but their fresh acquisition failed to provide that on Monday.

The controversial midfielder was handed the captain’s armband by QPR boss Neil Warnock on his Premier League debut against his former team Newcastle United who frustrated the home side by forcing a 0-0 stalemate.

Barton, 29, signed for QPR on a free transfer last month after disagreement with Newcastle management. Barton hogged the headlines recently when he criticised Newcastle on his Twitter account.

Though unable to win, QPR ended a run of three home defeats. For the Magpies, the standoff kept their unbeaten start in the season as they are now in 4^th place in the standings – their best since the 1995-96 season when they finished second.

Barton tried his best to satisfy the home fans and partnered well with Moroccan Adel Taraabt in the game which the hosts dominated mostly but they were unable to supply the finishing touch at Loftus Road.

QPR had a great chance to score in the 39^th minute but the chip of Shaun Wright-Philips, another transfer window signing, was hooked away from the line by Newcastle defender Steven Taylor.

The hosts had other botched chances, with Jay Bothroyd and veteran midfielder Shaun Derry missing their targets.

Bothroyd volleyed over the crossbar fronm 6 yards  and had a header cleared off the goal line by defender Danny Simpson in the first half.

Derry, who has not found the net in the past five years, headed wide after receiving a corner from Taraabt.

Barton was jeered throughout the match by Newcastle backers each time he touched the ball but they applauded him after the match. In return, Barton gave them a salute.

 

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