Article by Mark PinkneyJoey Barton is my favourite Newcastle player. Wow, this is something I could not even imagine uttering not too long ago.
As a £6 million 2007 signing, it has a been a long few years of serious injury problems and even more serious off-field issues, including months of jail time. I believe everyone deserves a second chance, but it is fair to say that Barton has been given more second chances than most. Many have questioned the decision by Newcastle to continue to support him, especially through numerous off-field issues but although a long time coming, he is now starting to pay back that support and answer his many critics in style.
This season, his crosses, free kicks and passing have been getting better and better. Last week his build-up with Shola Ameobi, another player slowly winning back my confidence in him, culminated in his inch perfect cross for Andy Carroll to head home the game winner against West Ham. Off the ball, he defends hard, pressuring the opposition - along with Nolan and Tiote - in a way that reminds me of the sometimes lone determination James Milner had in a Toon shirt in our last year before relegation. Something that has really impressed me this year has been Barton's ability to deal with the niggle of the game as well. This was highlighted best in his display against Mick McCarthy's Wolves, in which he frequently picked himself up and walked away without complaint as he was targetted tackle after tackle.
he is now starting to pay back that support and answer his many critics in style
With the current 4-4-2 formation giving him two towering strikers in Ameobi and Carroll to aim at, and with Nolan always there to sniff out deflections, knockdowns and any other loose balls in the goal box, Barton has every chance of continuing to be one of the most valuable contributors to the team. If he is able to continue his current form and keep his cool, on and off the field, he will soon be winning back the hearts of more and more Toon fans. I, for one, believe it will be thoroughly deserved. After all, it has been a very long and hard road back for Joey Barton.
As a £6 million 2007 signing, it has a been a long few years of serious injury problems and even more serious off-field issues, including months of jail time. I believe everyone deserves a second chance, but it is fair to say that Barton has been given more second chances than most. Many have questioned the decision by Newcastle to continue to support him, especially through numerous off-field issues but although a long time coming, he is now starting to pay back that support and answer his many critics in style.
This season, his crosses, free kicks and passing have been getting better and better. Last week his build-up with Shola Ameobi, another player slowly winning back my confidence in him, culminated in his inch perfect cross for Andy Carroll to head home the game winner against West Ham. Off the ball, he defends hard, pressuring the opposition - along with Nolan and Tiote - in a way that reminds me of the sometimes lone determination James Milner had in a Toon shirt in our last year before relegation. Something that has really impressed me this year has been Barton's ability to deal with the niggle of the game as well. This was highlighted best in his display against Mick McCarthy's Wolves, in which he frequently picked himself up and walked away without complaint as he was targetted tackle after tackle.
he is now starting to pay back that support and answer his many critics in style
With the current 4-4-2 formation giving him two towering strikers in Ameobi and Carroll to aim at, and with Nolan always there to sniff out deflections, knockdowns and any other loose balls in the goal box, Barton has every chance of continuing to be one of the most valuable contributors to the team. If he is able to continue his current form and keep his cool, on and off the field, he will soon be winning back the hearts of more and more Toon fans. I, for one, believe it will be thoroughly deserved. After all, it has been a very long and hard road back for Joey Barton.
Picture sourced from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1305214/Joey-Barton-dismisses-Nazi-salute-claims-Newcastle-United-goal.html
Maybe you should grow that mo again as a tribute to Joey Barton? I only got to follow this on the BBC live commentary..sounded like an absolute ripper
ReplyDeleteI did not Write this Article it is Marks work.
ReplyDeletebut its not a bad Idea. Maybe a campaign to get all toon fans tashed up for xmas?
I thought Mark might have had something to do with the article (Hi Mark)..nice article.
ReplyDeleteYou'd be able to get away with the mo at the moment, what with it being Movember and all. Come Xmas though..ooohh, no