Barton: Our careers are on the line (From Warrington Guardian)

Barton: Our careers are on the line

3:26pm Thursday 29th March 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

QPR captain Joey Barton has admitted the final few games of the Barclays Premier League season have much more at stake than points and pride.

The controversial midfielder is likely to lead the side out against Arsenal at the weekend knowing that some of his team-mates are playing for their respective futures in the game.

He told the club's official website: "This is more than a game of football now. The next eight games govern our futures."

He added: "We're as desperate for the points as they are - for totally different reasons obviously.

"But there are livelihoods on the line here. People's careers are on the line. I'm not sure that's the case at Arsenal to be honest."

The R's have struggled for consistency in the top flight since being promoted as npower Championship champions last season.

And despite home wins over the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, Barton is all too aware the club are still in a relegation dog-fight which could leave some players without a club come next season.

"They'll (Arsenal) want to win the game because they're professionals and they'll want to finish in the Champions League places, which is a minimum requirement for them," he said.

"But there are lads here whose careers are on the line - all the lads need to realise that. If we don't, we'll be punished for it."