Joey Barton

Joey Barton has taken the surprising but interesting decision to spend time training with League Two new-boys, Fleetwood Town, in a bid to rediscover the passion for the game he believes he has lost in recent years.

The midfielder was left out of QPR’s pre-season tour of Asia, a decision that came on the back of the FA’s decision to ban Barton for 12 games, following his red card on the final day of last season, an incident that also resulted in Barton being stripped of the captaincy.

While some believe that Mark Hughes’ decision to leave Barton at home means the 29-year old’s career at Loftus Road is over, the former Manchester City star has decided to try to take some good from recent events, as will fans of football betting.

Barton believes that spending time with the footballing working class will help him rediscover the passion he clearly had for the game during the early part of his career.

Last season’s troubles have clearly had an effect on the hard-working midfielder, but Barton is showing some initiative, and trying to salvage some good from his current situation.

“I have become a little disenchanted with the game in the last six months, after what I have put myself through, and I desperately want to fall back in love with the game.

“I feel that training in the lower leagues will give me a reality check, and maybe help me become a better person, a little more humility will serve me well,” admitted Barton.

Talk of a loan move away from Loftus Road are still being reported, and that may be what Barton needs to get himself back into contention with his manager at QPR.

It remains to be seen what will happen to Barton when his ban expires, but at least the midfielder is trying to make the best out of a bad, albeit self-inflicted, situation.

QPR are 5/1 for the drop in the relegation betting on Bet365, odds that suggest that the bookies are not totally convinced of the Hoops’ ability to remain in the top flight.