Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has extolled the virtues of Twitter and claimed that the abuse he receives on the website is from "sad and lonely" people.

Barton is a prolific tweeter and is often on the receiving end of some unkind words from the networking tool's users, but the QPR man feels that the site is great for interaction, even if he is not everyone's favourite footballer.

"Generally the ones who abuse you are sad and lonely when you look at their profile," Barton told The Metro.

"Twitter is a great tool if used correctly. Things can get taken out of context in interviews so it's one way of controlling that. It's a great way for a footballer to get his point across.

"It doesn't cost anything and you can interact."

Barton has recently given his backing to a campaign against homophobia in football.