Players must tread carefully when using the social networking site, says Derry

QPR midfielder Shaun Derry believes Premier League players must be ‘careful’ when using Twitter to air their opinions.

Derry’s team-mate Joey Barton took to Twitter this week to criticise Wolves midfielder Karl Henry, after the two players clashed in QPR’s 3-0 win at Molineux on Saturday.

Barton also made comments towards Wolves boss Mick McCarthy after the match, although the Rs’ captain is expected to escape any disciplinary action.

Twitter has already been the subject of controversy in recent seasons; in February the Football Association fined Liverpool’s Ryan Babel over comments he made about a referee, while Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere has also found himself in hot water over his comments on the site.

And Rangers midfielder Derry believes that although Twitter allows players to communicate with fans, they are treading a tightrope when taking to the medium to voice their feelings.

“I think it has its positives in that certain players who might feel uncomfortable talking to the press feel that they can get their point across using Twitter,” Derry told London24.com.

“It gives them freedom of speech and in that sense it’s a really good thing. On the flip side of that, if players are derogatory towards players or teams, they probably shouldn’t be on it.

“Social media needs to be used the right way, you obviously have to be careful what you say, but it’s important we have a voice.”