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.