Why England need Barton bite

Joey Barton ironically comes up against ex club Newcastle tonight on his QPR debut

When Joey Barton steps out to make his Queens Park Rangers bow against former club Newcastle tonight, he could be forgiven for having mixed emotions.

He salvaged his reputation during his last season at St James' Park and revelled in playing in front of 50,000 adoring spectators, but couldn't keep his mouth shut about the club's hierarchy and was booted out on a free transfer.

From a footballing perspective, it seems like a step down for Barton to leave the Magpies for Loftus Road, a ground with a capacity of less than 18,500.

However, QPR are going places and Barton looks set to be at the centre of it. This could and should be a move to keep alive his ambitions of playing for England.

Fabio Capello has hinted Barton will never play for England under him as he is "too dangerous", but the Italian needs to take a chance and the Liverpudlian could be just what the national side needs.

Calling up leader Barton would be a risk worth taking for under-fire Capello

The England set-up still seems cosy and lacks the bite it needs, and Barton would certainly provide that.

Watch him against Newcastle tonight and you will see exactly what England are missing.

He has had his problems - and hasn't overcome all of them as he proved in Newcastle's clash with Arsenal earlier this season - but he would ruffle feathers and lead England forward in a way not many of the current team can.

He would demand 110% from every player, in training and in games.

Barton may not be widely liked by other England players - most notably Gareth Barry, who Barton has in the past called a 'teacher's pet' - but his presence would ensure others do not get too comfortable and are kept on their toes.

It's not just his character which would improve the England team, it is his ability as well.

There were certainly not many better right-sided midfielders in the country than Barton last season. That is not even his best position, so that tells you just what a fine and versatile player he is.

QPR boss Neil Warnock has hinted Barton will be given chances in the centre and on the right of midfield under him and that means it is almost a certainty he will shine.

Warnock says Barton will be the first name on his QPR teamsheet

He will tackle, work tirelessly, pick out a pass, deliver quality balls into the box and provide great delivery from set-pieces, so it seems a no-brainer for England to pick him.

Barton comes with baggage but he is worth the risk. He offers something different and would drag the team by the scruff of the neck if the situation required it, as he proved in Newcastle's 4-4 draw with Arsenal last season.

Controversy follows him but his inclusion in the England set-up could rid the side of the complacency which seems to have set in.

There was a great deal of optimism after the 3-0 win in Bulgaria but playing at Wembley seems to have become a burden, and after the dour performance in the 1-0 win against Wales last week, something needs to be changed.

There is the base of a very good team there, but the lack of fighting spirit needs to be addressed.

If Capello is to stick with his 4-5-1 formation - which he should do - then a dream midfield trio could be Barton, Jack Wilshere and Steven Gerrard, with Stewart Downing and Ashley Young on the wings and Wayne Rooney up front.

Wilshere and Barton could be an ideal England midfield partnership

With feisty characters Barton and Wilshere in the centre, opposition teams would not be given a moment's respite and their grit would provide the basis for the four main attacking players to produce their best.

Scott Parker, Frank Lampard, James Milner and Gareth Barry would all be just outside the team but more than able to step in if needed.

Capello knows his current England team is stale and needs shaking up, and there would be no better way to do that than to include Barton.

He is sure to prove himself again at QPR over the coming months and if he can produce similar form at Loftus Road as he did for Newcastle last season, it will be almost impossible for the England manager to ignore him in the lead-up to Euro 2012.

If Harry Redknapp, as expected, takes over from Capello after the Euros, expect Barton to be in his squad.

Redknapp recognises Barton's baggage but also recognises his ability.

He may not be the most universally popular player in the country, but he is certainly one of the most talented.

The question is, what matters more to England: winning games or pleasing people? I know which one I'd choose.