Joey Barton has slammed TalkSPORT presenter Jim White on Twitter for spreading “fake news” about his David Unsworth jibes.
The Burnley midfielder hit back after White claimed on his personal Twitter account on Monday morning that Barton was “bang out of order” for his attack on Everton caretaker boss Unsworth’s weight.
Barton was unhappy with White’s version of events, claiming on social media that it was “not what you said when I was chatting to you on the way to the toilet James”.
Fake news. Not what you said when I was chatting to you on the way to the toilet James. ???????? https://t.co/JqvI8fjHJu
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) October 30, 2017
Burnley midfielder Barton launched a scathing attack on Everton boss Unsworth in the wake of Sunday’s defeat to Leicester.
Goals from Jamie Vardy and Demarai Gray consigned the Toffees to a 2-0 defeat at the King Power Stadium and leave them in the relegation zone after 10 games having been expected to make a serious challenge to the top four this term.
Barton believes Unsworth is simply not up to the task.
“He’s a glorified PE teacher who shouldn’t be in charge of a men’s team,” the 35-year-old told talkSPORT. “Look at him on the touchline, he’s more like a steward.
“I watched him waddling on to the coach. How can you get players to exert themselves physically when you’re out of shape?
“I used to watch him as an Evertonian and he was the most immobile left back I’ve ever seen. He’s not a manager and doesn’t look like one.
“Unsworth makes Alan Brazil look like an athlete. I used to call him Chipper Unsworth because he used to chip it and lose it every time.
“I’m a firm believer that teams reflect their manager and Everton did today. They were sloppy. Everton need to sort their managerial situation out because it can’t be Unsworth.”
OPINION
Barton being Barton, he has waded in two-footed on presenter White, claiming the Sky Sports and talkSPORT anchor did not disagree with his verdict about Unsworth’s tubby shape. However, White merely said that the caretaker’s physique should not be brought into the public debate about his worthiness for the role, which is different to criticising Unsworth per se. Of course, White is right. What difference should it make if the former left-back is carrying a few extra pounds? That does not stop him being a managerial candidate. And, neither would a svelte physique automatically make him the right man.