Remember when Joey Barton was announced as manager of Fleetwood Town and vowed to be more selective with regards to what he puts on social media?
In his first press conference in charge of Fleetwood, Barton admitted that he would be better off keeping his opinions to himself and off his Twitter feed. “I have to alter the way I use social media,” Barton said last month.
“Some things that have worked for me earlier in life would not necessarily work for me now. I don’t think I will be the biggest (social media) communicator now. The way I used it as a player would not be the right way to use it now.”
Well that hasn’t lasted long… Barton was nothing but supportive of England throughout their early involvement in the World Cup, joining the ‘It’s Coming Home’ brigade like so many in recent weeks.
It’s coming home… 🏴
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) July 3, 2018
Come on England 🏴🦁🦁🦁🏴
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) July 7, 2018
For the most part, however, Barton has not really discussed the World Cup on social media. That is, until Saturday afternoon, when England came up short in their third-place playoff with Belgium.
Gareth Southgate’s side fell to a 2-0 defeat to Belgium and Barton was quick to deliver a scathing analysis of the tactics and football on display from England in Russia.
The former QPR, Burnley and Rangers midfielder first praised the squad for managing to reconnect with fans before he then ridiculed Southgate for everything from training decisions to the lack of left-footed players in his first team.
The World Cup has been a fantastic PR campaign for England football team. They’ve reconnected with supporters that have in recent years felt alienated from the team.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) July 14, 2018
Don’t let that mask the fact they’ve played 4 decent teams. They’ve lost 3 times (Belgium x2 and Croatia) and drawn the other (Winning on penalties against Colombia)in fact we’ve beaten Tunisia, Panama and Sweden. Let’s not get carried away just yet.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) July 14, 2018
Stand by my Southgate comments when he was appointed. Lovely guy. Comes out of the tournament with a fantastic respect. He’s won hearts and minds.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) July 14, 2018
In my opinion a better manager could have won the competition. 6 defensive players on the pitch far too often. Especially when 2-1 down in WC semi final. Also 0/10 outfield players left footed. Team lacked balance.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) July 14, 2018
Training methods clearly wrong. Watt bike sessions between games in a tournament. Croatia had played ET for 3rd straight match against Eng. we looked legged and severely fatigued during ET.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) July 14, 2018
We need to learn our lessons from the tournament and come back stronger. No nearer to ‘winning’ a major tournament but won hearts and minds and now must build on that.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) July 14, 2018
“I’m just baffled by how he’s the England manager if that’s the pinnacle of our football,” Barton said when Southgate was appointed as Sam Allardyce’s successor.
And it goes without saying that England fans let their opinions heard in response to the outspoken one-cap midfielder’s claims.
You’re manager of Fleetwood mate so shut your fucking mouth.
— Jordan Seaman (@JordanSeaman91) July 14, 2018
Il look back on this when ur sacked in January by Fleetwood. Fucking moron
— Lee Armstrong (@NightwingSAFC) July 14, 2018
Only piped up when we’ve lost two games! Was you saying that when we were winning?
— AndyS (@andysimms1989) July 14, 2018
A 6 year old Gareth Southgate is a better manager than you
— Ryan Tinkler (@ryantinkler14) July 14, 2018
Good luck at fleetwood when you are 3 v 0 down to Gillingham on a freezing Tuesday, you will have a bit more humility I guess, may even make you a half decent manalger, but I suspect not
— pop (@karlrutter2) July 14, 2018
I’ve just put a ton on Fleetwood getting relegated with football’s answer to Jean-Paul Sartre in charge. Jesus wept man!
— Max Byrne (@maxybyrne) July 14, 2018
You were praising Southgate the other day you tool!!
— Kevin Hood (@Hud1975) July 14, 2018
Give yourself a few months at Fleetwood before you start suggesting Southgate isn’t up to it.
— Nik (@nikbarnes79) July 14, 2018
