Another booking for Joey Barton

Posted Saturday, September 24, 2011 by The Sun

JOEY Barton has made a career out of giving the opposition, rival fans and match officials verbals.

Now he's turning his tongue to the latest tunes — as an opinionated music critic.

While most players fill their empty hours playing FIFA 12, he has been using his time off from his £100,000-a-week duties at new club QPR wisely.

The midfielder sat down and offered his pick of the pops on songs by Matt Cardle, Coldplay, Amy Winehouse & Tony Bennett and Bombay Bicycle Club for Q Magazine's radio show.

He is bound to upset someone in the segment — which airs on Sunday. A source said: "Joey is a huge music fan and knows his stuff. He doesn't hold back on what he likes — and especially what he doesn't."

Joey also had a crack at DJ-ing, by picking three of his favourite tracks.

He plumped for Nirvana's cover of David Bowie's Man Who Sold The World, from their Unplugged album, and songs by Sheffield band The Book Club. Trendy group Miike Snow also got a nod.

All good choices — and better than Jack Wilshere's taste.

The Arsenal and England star admitted this week that he loves a bit of Michael Bolton.

Joey's increasingly been using music to change his image.

Earlier this year he hired Ian Montone, manager of Vampire Weekend and The White Stripes, to look after his career.

He has also used Twitter to win people over — and wind others up.

Joey is wise to keep his options open with a bit of radio work and music-reviewing. A six-month suspension is always one bad tackle away.

Giving his honest views on music won't hurt, either, especially if he is branching out from worshipping Morrissey.

Pete Doherty is a huge QPR fan — now that would make for an entertaining meeting of minds.