Barton & Gerrard are as different as chalk and cheese. As a Man City fan I was thoroughly ashamed of Barton and the long list of incidents that he became embroiled in. We sold him when he assaulted another player. He was then involved in another serious assault for which he was jailed. The lad has a screw loose to put it mildly.
Until recently Stevie Gerrard lived up the road from me, as does Jamie Carragher who still does. Both are down to earth lads who you often see in Sainsburys shopping or in Jamie's case in the local sandwich shop after training. They will chat with everyone and sign anything. Jamie even took the European Cup into a primary school a few years ago and all the kids were playing with it. I also recently was given a signed shirt for the kids and staff that I work with that now takes pride of place on the playroom wall (alongside an Everton shirt in the interest of equality).
I am not aware of what happened at the club. What I would say is that on occasions when I have been chatting to Liverpool or Everton players I have witnessed some of the silly comments that opposing fans (or people who have had a drink) have shouted. Some were really personal about Gerrards girlfriend. Well out of order!
I recently had a shirt signed by Rhobino in Manchester and as we were talking a fella shouted "f%*k off back to Spain you blue b£$&*!d". Now that moron would not have had any interest in the fact that Rhobino was signing a shirt at the time for a child who is ill. Rhobino just laughed at him. I am not sure that he fully understood. I was incredibly angry. This was also shouted whilst there were children about!
Footballers are not superhuman. On occasion they get it wrong. Lets wait for some facts before we pass judgement.
Chris
