In an age where loyalty in football is scarce, Joey Barton’s recent comments on Twitter dismissing reported interest from Manchester United and Arsenal are rare.
Newcastle have stuck with Joey Barton through all of his off-field misdemeanours in recent years and deserve the loyalty that Barton is offering. If a concrete offer was made for Barton perhaps his stance would be different given his comments in the aftermath of the Carroll departure where he questioned the club’s ambition to win trophies. Under Ferguson or Wenger he would be guaranteed a firm shot at success.
The scenario that Barton finds himself in is somewhat remarkable. Which other club in the Premiership would openly be so nonchalant about losing their ‘player of the season?’ Spurs and Arsenal and even Wigan have fought heaven and earth to keep their top stars even without the expressions of loyalty.
If the interest in Barton is not unfounded from the Premiership’s top club then Newcastle’s position towards Barton is even more disappointing for the fans. When was the last time Newcastle had a player who was wanted by the big clubs but was happy to repay the faith that Newcastle had shown in him? It was reported that Barton was even happy to take a pay cut.
Personally, I think the club’s stance with regards to long contracts for ageing players is absolutely the correct approach to take. However, one size does not fit all. In regards to Kevin Nolan, most fans can appreciate that the decision made financial sense. In Barton’s case, though, an incentivised 4 year deal has surely been earned given his on-field displays last season and his much improved off-field behaviour.
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Fickle people, football fans. I wonder what the reaction would have been to his tweets whilst he was in prison refusing to take a wage cut, or when he was banned for battering Dabo.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been impressed with the way he’s turned his life around and his performances have improved, but having dragged the clubs name through the mud so many times, all the badge kissing in the world won’t make me swallow this “loyalty” rubbish (you do realise he’ll get a fat signing on fee at his new club when he leaves for nothing next summer?).
If he wants to make a good impression, maybe he could start by deactivating that Twitter account of his. Maybe when he’s stopped slagging the club off for the whole world to see, I’ll buy into this loyalty business.
If you seriously think Arse and Manu would bring this pile of donkey poop to their squads you’ve got to be smoking some strong weed. If the interests were real, and if he had a chance of appearing in either squads, be sure that he would have come running.
barton is absolute scum
Barton is an excellent footballer who is still improving. Off the pitch he’s not the man now that he was before – he’s one hundred and one times the old Barton. The infuriatingly hypocritical bigots or idiots who condemn him over and over again for crimes for which he’s already paid his dues should only do so once their own perfection is proved in court. He’s redeeming himself in the best way he can – on the pitch in the service of the fans who pay his wages.