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?"