In this Anfield Wrap special Joey Barton opens up about what drove him as a player and what still drives him now as he tries to work out his future within the game. The game has been so integral to him since such a young age.
He shares his thoughts on supporter and club culture, his ideas around constant improvement and why failure, his understanding of it, his fear of it and his acceptance of it as a part of growth.
It’s an almost an hour of insight into how his mind works and is hosted by The Anfield Wrap’s Neil Atkinson.
Our interview with Joey Barton is available now to TAW Player subscribers and also available to listen to and download as a standalone show on Bandcamp
Interesting, even though I disagree with a great deal of what Joey says. The problem with people who are so sure of themselves is that they often spout options as if they are facts Well done Neil for letting Joey speak, I’d have been constantly jumping in to argue.
Why do people try to use the term ‘globalisation’ when they have no idea what it means? We are not ‘entering a period of globalisation’ Joey. It isn’t something that starts and stops. The problem I have with Joey’s ‘points’, it’s actually more a ‘stream of consciousness’ is that there are occasional moments of clarity, utterly drowned out by absolute cod-psychological nonsense.
Whatever one may thing of Joey Barton, he is very articulate.
Please don’t have Joey Barton on the show again.
Agreed, an absolute dimwit, the worst kind because someone probably once told him he was intelligent……he Really Isn’t. Funny how we don’t hear anything about his psychology degree. Academia, is a little bit more difficult than I imagine Joey comprehends.
Why would you take that attitude mate? It’s so short sighted to suggest that intelligence can only be measured by having a degree. I left school with no qualifications whatsoever but at 30 after a few life experiences I decided to do one in social science via an access course. I pissed it because it turned out to get a degree you had to be dedicated enough to meet deadlines and be able to source information. You didn’t even need to process that information. Having a degree has nothing to do with intelligence. Regarding your comment below, what is it you don’t like about people trying to understand who they are and what they’re about. Also, what is it you do that makes you so qualified to judge people and put them down. He’s clearly a warrior in the sense that he constantly wants to fight to be the best. Why is that so wrong? Sorry James, but I really don’t understand your logic. Perhaps you could explain a bit because it’s come across as bitter.
To be fair Robin, if you honestly cannot see through Joey Barton on your own then I very much doubt anything I have to say would sway you. I mentioned his attempt at a Psychology degree because he made a big deal about it at the time. With regards to you ‘pissing’ your social sciences degree, good for you. I would seriously question the quality of it if it was that easy though. My degree’s BA and MA are both in History, political and social with a specialisation in Genocide. They were hard work and I don’t mind admitting it. I’ve written below my thoughts on Barton.
well, a first from the University of Liverpool in Human Geography with History is of standard quality. I just don’t think a degree requires intelligence. It just requires dedication. I had a baby when I started mine and another was born in the middle of my dissertation but I was dedicated, not intelligent.
I mention that because I feel I can relate to Barton in some ways. I was from an area where in a town like Chester you didn’t get jobs at interviews because people made assumptions. I didn’t do a days work till I was 33. I spent the whole of my 20’s travelling from A to B in Europe and Asia and making money any way I could. I didn’t once sleep in a house in those 8 years. But, eventually I formed an attitude that no one was better than me because of circumstances and I pushed myself to achieve. The result being I tend to look at things philosophically and certainly psychologically and I say what I want without fear of what people think of me. I don’t expect anything from anyone but if someone puts me down I take the attitude ‘who the fuck are you’. At the same time I don’t like people putting others down for being open, honest and self evaluating. But, at the same time if you don’t like people like Barton who feel they’ve had struggles and triumphed that’s up to you. My attitude is to question why in the hope that person realises that the issues are not with the one they put down but are actually closer to home. It’s up to you though mate. Perhaps I was wrong to question your views. I just don’t understand them.
It’s funny that people who spout the most about, and go on and on and on about ‘self-knowledge’ and ‘self-discovery’ are almost always the least self-aware. ‘I am a warrior’, no Joey, you really are not, you’re a footballer. This isn’t the twelfth-century. He basically sounds like he’s swallowed a self-help volume.
I enjoyed it.
His warrior shout wasn’t him declaring his occupation, just his mentality. After having personally watched over many years and seasons, I’d say his attitude was more warrior like than most footballers, perhaps too warrior like.
P.s. I achieved first class honours in Law (no shit).
I’m intelligent but not outrageously intelligent. Just achieved it through graft, enthusiasm and basically ‘getting’ what was asked of a stidentify.
Student that last word was meant to say. Fucking phones.
Thanks for that Jimmy. Make sure and keep us posted on your academic achievements going forward.
Fascinating interview. A lot of people won’t like the fact that he’s open and honest. Certainly, people in the UK have issues with honesty and modesty. I find it a pathetic trait. If someone’s good at something they shouldn’t have to deny it for fear of being accused of being modest or big headed and we shouldn’t always look to quash self assertion. Also, he’s clearly a deep thinker about football and life and it made for an insightful interview. I think that PE teacher needs to watch his back. Really enjoyed this and my respect for him has gone up again, the first being when he appeared on Question Time.
He reduces everything to Darwinian terms. It’s ridiculous. There’s nothing open or honest about him whatsoever. He’s utterly insecure and his worldview reminds me very much of ‘Mein Kampf’. I had wondered exactly why I found him so offensive until I realised this connection. He is completely self-centred in outlook, everything pertains to his ‘struggle’ and his ‘triumph’. He talks about being a warrior and psychological domination, not just in football terms, he appears to view life through this prism. His profile of Carragher as someone who gets into twitter, or column debates because he ‘craves physical confrontation’ is extremely revealing, not of Carra’, but of Barton.
You mean when he appeared on question time and used ‘a group of ugly girls trying to get a boyfriend’ as a metaphor? Wow. I think that’s where we part ways mate.
Come on, you can’t say you didn’t laugh at that whether with him or at him.
Sorry Robin, no, I found that offensive and I couldn’t believe an intelligent person would say it. Look, you like him, I don’t. I don’t mean to disrespect your right to do so so I’ll leave it there. I just find comments like those extremely revealing. Anyway , all the best.
Personally found this interesting, although sounds like I’m obviously inept at pretty much everything sport related. Our Joey does love a chat, which makes for something else entertaining on the Taw player. I’m off down the library to read some Plato, cheers
I’m shocked by how much I actually enjoyed that.
Massively disappointed and considering cancelling after listening to that. Take the point above about Neill letting him speak but why? He spoke some absolute rubbish, constantly contradicts himself and even condescends which is actually fairly impressive given the faux intellectualism he spouts. Not disappointed you would give someone with his history of professional trolling and physical abuse the airtime, although bad enough, but that you so steadfastdly didn’t take him to task. Not once. Having diverse voices makes the Anfield Wrap one of the things that makes me listen and espouse it’s excellence elsewhere, however not debating seemed editorially cowardly and honestly a little like you agreed to this. Compare with the Duncan Castles chat. On reflection? A non multimillionaire with no prior for ABH. For instance.
You’ve restored my faith mate. Thought he had some quite disturbing views and yes, it was faux intellectualism. Totally self-serving and quite rude in talking over Atko and anticipating questions that weren’t asked. Thought for a minute I was on my own in this opinion.
Its so sad to hear a man so short of confidence in his own ability.
Shame to see absolute scum bags like this fella getting airspace on TAW. His babbling has very little merit and frankly the thought of Joey Barton “psychological schemer” is laughable.
“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wise people so full of doubts.” – Bertrand Russell
A little bit disappointed that TAW have given Joey a platform. Huge self importance coupled with a complete lack of self awareness is a pretty grotesque combination. I could get this rubbish on TALKSPORT for free if I felt so inclined.
Exactly!
Half of what he said was mildly interesting, particularly in the beginning about the dressing room etc. But mostly talked absolute shite, completely outdated views on how fans should not support a team outside of their own city. Why does it even matter? Fair play to Neil for pointing out that LFC’s first ever team consisted entirely of Scots but that did not stop Joey from bemoaning the ‘era of globalisation’ or whatever it is he believes is killing football. Partly interesting but mostly offensive – pretty much what I expected from Joey Barton.
The whole problem with condescending so and sos like Jospeh here is the world of social media has given them a platform from whence to spout their absolute drivel. Surprised when talksp*rt gave him further voice and somewhat now disappointed that the Anfield wrap have too?
Wouldn’t bother analysis on “potential premiership opponents” you absolute melt
I’d also like to add my disappointment at TAW in having Mr Barton on. I would understand it if Neil had challenged some of his more obnoxious views but then to be fair most of them were so ridiculous that he probably just wanted to get through it and not lower himself. If that is the case, and totally understandable as it is, then why bother having him on at all?
Bonkers.
I think James and Karen have pretty much nailed it. It was pretty evident that Neil thought he was spouting shite for the majority of the interview and it was admirable that he basically let him make himself look like the absolute tit that he is. Didn’t really need challenging to be fair. Wouldn’t be too harsh on the TAW crew, you can’t win them all.
Can we please get Joey Barton & Andy Heaton around a microphone at the same time. Oh the fireworks!!!
He’s a controversial character isn’t he but absolutely loved the stuff he spoke about the fear of failure and the winning psychology.
Been a long-term subscriber to TAW and enjoyed the various pods. But, I’ve got to question the judgement of whoever invited Joey Barton into the studio and give him a platform to spout his shite. Subscription cancelled.