Barton insists he has no problem with Hill despite fiery exchange in QPR defeat

By Laurie Whitwell

PUBLISHED: 05:39 EST, 19 March 2014 | UPDATED: 12:29 EST, 19 March 2014

Joey Barton has denied he had a bust-up with Queens Park Rangers team-mate Clint Hill during the team's damaging defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

An argument between the pair was sparked after referee Paul Tierney had sent off Richard Dunne in the 34th minute at Hillsborough.

But the former Newcastle and Manchester City midfielder insisted that the pair were not rowing, but instead captain Hill was encouraging Barton not to argue with the official.

Dispute: Joey Barton and Clint Hill get up-close and personal after Richard Dunne is red-carded

Dispute: Joey Barton and Clint Hill get up-close and personal after Richard Dunne is red-carded

Confrontation: Clint Hill screams at team-mate Joey Barton after Sheffield Wednesday's first goal

Confrontation: Clint Hill screams at team-mate Joey Barton after Sheffield Wednesday's first goal

Break it up: Referee Paul Tierney comes between the two players during the row

Break it up: Referee Paul Tierney comes between the two players during the row

Too easy: Sheffield Wednesday cruised to a 3-0 win over Harry Redknapp's side

Too easy: Sheffield Wednesday cruised to a 3-0 win over Harry Redknapp's side

 

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Wednesday took the lead from the penalty spot through Chris Maguire and QPR then collapsed, conceding second half goals to Leon Best and Lewis Buxton to leave their hopes of automatic promotion dangling by a thread.

'Clearly it was him stopping me moaning at the ref,' said Barton on Twitter on Wednesday.

'The same ref incidentally sent me off against Leicester. I am clearly unhappy at the penalty decision and Dunney's sending off.

'Focus on next game now. Life is too short to dwell on the bad things. Move on.'

Harry Redknapp’s side are now 10 points behind second-place Burnley with 10 Championship games remaining.

Assistant manager Kevin Bond said he didn’t see the exchange between Barton and Hill but admitted that some home truths had been delivered in the dressing room after the defeat, conceding the players failed to respond well to going down to 10 men.

‘The issue is what’s happened after we went down to 10 men, that is a problem and we’ve spoken about it in the dressing room,' he said.

And Barton insisted that the sending off had changed the game.

'It was the most comfortable game ever up until that point,' he said.

'A game we would never have lost. Big decisions change games and fair play to Sheffield Wednesday.

'We simply weren't good enough and the lack of effort was appalling. We let down any fans who travelled. But it's gone.

'Nothing can be done about it now. We must stay together in tough times, otherwise we will be in serious danger of not fulfilling our aim.

Get away: Hill pushes Barton as the players protest following Richard Dunne's dismissal

Get away: Hill pushes Barton as the players protest following Richard Dunne's dismissal

Dented: QPR's promotion hopes have taken a hit after the defeat

Dented: QPR's promotion hopes have taken a hit after the defeat

Marching orders: Richard Dunne trudges off the pitch after being sent off at Hillsborough

Marching orders: Richard Dunne trudges off the pitch after being sent off at Hillsborough

'I still believe we can do it. We're gonna have to do it the hard way. But did anyone expect it any other way?'

Rangers owner Tony Fernandes also urged fans to stop being negative about the club's faltering promotion bid, dubbing them 'wrong'.

He tweeted: 'QPR fans. Being negative is so so wrong. We learn and we move. There are a few games left. So much to look forward to.'

He added: 'Who likes to lose. But come on guys. Stop blaming everyone. Let's stick together and do our best to get up.'

Candid: QPR owner Tony Fernandes asked the fans to stop being negative

Candid: QPR owner Tony Fernandes asked the fans to stop being negative

Candid: QPR owner Tony Fernandes asked the fans to stop being negative

Honest: Fernandes pleaded with fans to get behind the team to help their promotion tilt

 

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Comments (10)

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Clint -top man.

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I'm not a QPR fan, but Fernandes' remarks are insulting and disingenuous.This squad have one of the highest wage bills in Europe, so yes, I think people did expect things to occur differently this season Tony.

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They used to be team mates, its a bit of banter. and to the rugby comment, he used to play for rugby league at a high level before deciding to follow football instead. I would have in my team any day.

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Total and utter pratt!

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Ravel Morrison + Joey Barton. Building a thug team Harry?

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What the hell has he done to his hair? What a pillock. All this guy is known for is his Twitter drivel. As a player he's bang average at best, with a shocking disciplinary record and a bad attitude.

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I would love to see Barton playing rugby, he'd probably go to cry if someone crunched him!

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he probably dead before the first scrum.

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Where can I get Joeys haircut? I always wanted to know how it is to walk the streets down with a crappy haircut!

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A little bit of south coast vengeance Harry, you've been left red white and blue after the Best Buxton one-two!

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