Joey Barton has slammed Sunderland, calling Phil Parkinson's squad 'their worst team ever'.

The Fleetwood Town boss launched into the bizarre tirade when discussing the decision of Leeds United's Lewie Coyle who opted for a permanent move to his side rather than heading to the Black Cats.

While admitting that 'there are bigger clubs out there', Barton urged young players to avoid a move to the likes of Sunderland or Ipswich Town as they 'won't be remembered in their history'.

Speaking to BBC Lancashire, as quoted by The Shields Gazette, Barton said: "“If I was a young player playing in League One or had a potential League One loan, yes there are bigger clubs out there but I don’t think anyone improves players as well as us.

“You can play for Sunderland or Ipswich and there’s a different pressure attached to it but, no disrespect and I’ve said it before, you will be part of their worst team ever and won’t ever be remembered in their history.
“They’re not going to remember in 20 years’ time, a team that got promoted from League One because the reality of it is that without mismanagement, poor decisions and poor recruitment, they wouldn’t be in League One.
“A club of that stature shouldn’t be in this division unless you’ve seriously got it wrong.” Can you name every Sunderland player's shirt number this season?    The verdict He's no stranger to controversy but Joey Barton's latest rant was just bizarre. Why he needed to discuss Sunderland in such detail when discussing one of his new signings in beyond me, and frankly it just came across as a bit bitter. Perhaps Barton should spend more time worrying about Fleetwood Town than discussing the fortunes of other clubs in the division.