Back to his best, stirring up rumours. This time he alleges that there is uncertainty about the future of Kevin Locke at the club. In the same article he also admits that it is nonsense with a quote from Koukash dismissing it. Hes also now linked Gareth Hock to every club in the competition. Saw this mentioned on twitter and I have to say i agree: Why doesnt Koukash warn him about creating these rumours and threaten to ban him from our ground if he continues to try and unstabilise the players? These rumours dont help anyone and I cant believe that anyone will read his paper and take them seriously anymore.

Ive got no problem with Neil. He does what every journalist does around the country and give the public stories before they come out public. Im just hoping now that we have a quiet off season as the last two years have been like a roller coaster. Losing nearly a full squad and the season after buying top players. We have a steady squad with dobbo and jones bishop coming in now so lets hope we keep out top players and look forward to pre season

To be fair he is a journalist and this is what they do. It's fun and great when it's a positive rumour. I heard about the locke rumour before Neil wrote about it, so he's just relaying information from with the club. The Hock worshipping does get a big boring though!

Ex Twitter

Hitman Handle @HitmanHandle
@drmarwanK

neil barker seems to be implying locke and chase are wanting to leave could you give us an update marwan? And maybe stop rumours?

Marwan Koukash
@drmarwanK
@HitmanHandle

Rubbish.

I used to live next to a journalist who knew Neil barker, and he confirmed to me, my suspicions, that barker just made things up when he was short of a story.
Perhaps he should tell us the real reason hock is off, and who Hock had a fight with.

What I find most depressing about modern journalism is that it flies in the face of its own job description. There was once a day when Journalists got off their fat backsides and instead of lazily printing every brown nugget that falls out of someone's starfish down the pub. They took all these ifs and buts and actually worked hard to find the truth, or not, before committing to print. All you seem to need these days is a Twitter account and a lack of self-respect.

I still find it amazing that Barker had the balls to question Michigan Red's summing-up of his journalistic talents, when he time and again proves to be a sloppy example of the trade. I suppose, if he makes enough rumours and vague links he'll get one right every now and again. That's not informative, that's lazy and dishonest.

Despite the discussion around Mr Barker's ability i have to say i am slightly concerned to read his commnets.
I did mention after the London game that Locke either was injured (and if so should not be playing) or looking uninterested in the game.
His performance agianst Widnes was much better, but in both he did not look like the guy that sprung into action at Huddersfield that great saturday afternoon.
Also at Hunddersfield after the game he looked happy to come over to the fans, sign autographs and pose for photographs. This was obviously not the case on friday when i noticed the only players not to do the 'traditional lap of honour' where Locke and Chase.
I sincerely hope there is nothing in the Barker comments as with Kevin Locke in the team i have great belief, but i am not overall supprised to read the content of his latest masterpiece.

Please not if you're reading this Mr Barker that the views expressed by are kid AKA TheButcher are no longer held by me.

I think you're a brilliant journalist and that the wonderfully in depth and accurate stories you publish about Rugby League are beyond any known superlatives and worthy of a Pulitzer Prize - that's the little known Ernest Pulitzer prize given to the best work of fiction dreamed up while sat curling you're morning ablution down the pan (co incidentally the same crapper your newspaper seems to come from of late.

It seems the news part of the MEN are holding the club responsible, for a current but soon to be former player, none payment of council tax
and nothing from scoop Barker about the plans for Swinton being submitted as reported by @richaskam:
on twitter

"Final detailed plans on behalf of Dr Marwan Koukash for a new stadium/retail development for Swinton Lions RLFC been submitted"

im reliably informed players not happy for being flogged at training & doing sprints round a field over and over again and being treated like kids, Locke likes a beer or 19.

You see, it all falls down after those three words. You may be correct but we've seen enough posts this season beginning with those three words to last a lifetime.

And they were nearly all wrong.

just letting you know, true or not its what I was told.

It is true.

So Locke & Chase are leaving next year John?

No, i'm not saying they are leaving but Rangi is definitely p*ssed off with the way things are going (this 'flogging' in training which keeps getting mentioned - exactly the same reason why Hock wants out) which is where the "he's leaving" rumours have come from. I thought it was evident in his body language after the Widnes game too. Locke has come over and so far treated it as a holiday rather than a job, as the poster above mentioned he's enjoying himself a little too much - that weight he came over with hasn't shifted much either has it? He also has a few personal issues I believe back home I understand with his ex-partner who is also the mother to his son.

One thing is for sure it isn't a happy camp at the moment.

Work shy Prima Donnas, they can always try working for a living, They could even do what I've done and so many others on here do in working long hours, train 2 or 3 times a week and play a game of rugby league at the weekend.

Always infuriates me too read comments about professional sportsmen being annoyed at having to train so hard. If they don't like it leave the sport and graft for a living.

It's not that long ago we were being fed stories that a delegation of players were telling Dr K that Nobby's training regime wasn't tough enough or anything like they were used to.

Now we learn (?) this.

How do you know what to believe?

If this story is true then my question would immediately be "who instigated the 'flogging' training?"

Surely if people are getting flogged at training we should be inviting Tory MP's along as they like that kind of thing

Would anyone really be surprised if it was true about Locke? It was always a risk bringing him over early (for no apparent reason), He has had a couple of months to see what he is potentially letting himself in for the next 3 years, and so far has experienced being wheeled out to play whilst half fit in a sub standard league (compared to Aus) for a madcap owner. Don't think I would be too keen on returning either.

As of two weeks ago I was also told Locke is still staying in the Marriot and hasn't found a permanent residence? I don't know how true that is and discounted it as the cost to have stayed at the Marriot since he came over would be astronomical.

I understand the point you're making but this wasn't hard training.
As I understand it,they were being punished and treated like school kids.
Something similar happened with Peter Moores,first time round with the English cricket team.
He then lost the dressing room.
The management cocked up in the way they responded to that defeat (I'm not seeking to justify the performance ) .
It's a game for big lads,and that applies to the owner and coaching staff.

What a depressing thread.

Rather than being filled with optimism after a decent end to the season, I'm left with that same old feeling of gloom that constantly hangs over our Club at the end of the season. I'm beginning to think that quiet and positive things don't really happen to us.

Come on are kid do you expect anything else?

It was only a few months ago that Hock came out with [url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/rugby-league/376601/EXCLUSIVE-Gareth-Hock-lashes-out-at-Salford-pals-for-not-backing-coach-Iestyn-HarrisTHIS[/url to Julie Stott.He seems to do a volte-face as often as Mick Jagger does deep,meaningful one night stands.
A bit of a difference in attitude with Wigan,then [url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/hock-line-leading-salford-role-7666225STORY[/url




[iCherchez la femme[/i Apart from the expected little bit of homesickness mentioned on her Twitter I can't see anything to suggest Chelsea Pitman is keen to return.( I have no idea if the netball season is over )
As for madcap owners.I thought it was just opposition supporters.I wonder how many supporters pass comment on a local soccer club owner and his latest statement [url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/400187/Sheikh-Mansour-wants-Manchester-City-to-WIN-the-Champions-League-this-seasonHERE[/url
I shouldn't think he will be putting up with bile on his Twitter from followers of that sport and similar comments from those who follow his club.

Speaking generally here I am somewhat sympathetic to players who feel they are being flogged/over-trained. Ultimately a player will always know their own body better than a Coach (or anybody else) will and they have a responsibility to themselves and their employers to look after it. If they [iare[/i being over trained I'd expect them to complain about it.

I've had a nagging doubt about how long Kevin Locke would last over here since we announced we were signing him and if we don't start to compete next season I doubt he'll be here a year from today. The who story since the takeover has an air of history repeating itself and of fans and the players being sold a pup by the Owner (hello, Super Casino). I hope I'm wrong.