Barton “truly grateful and humbled” to be fan’s player of the year.
Posted on May 31st, 2011 | 14 Comments |
While he was voted as player of the year on this blog, polling 515 out of 1634 votes (32%), there is a small chance that he may have been referring to a similar, but far less important poll on the website of Tyneside newspaper, the Evening Chronic.
In a touch of modesty that is becoming in the feisty midfield terrier, he added that he thought Cheick Tiote, Jose Enrique, Fabricio Collocini and finally, captain, Kevin Nolan, were more deserving of the award than him.
He wrote:
“Just heard the Newcastle fans have voted me there player of the year! Thanks am truly honoured. Toon army.”
Adding shortly after:
“Am truly grateful and humbled as I thought Nolan, Tiote, Enrique and Collocini were all outstanding and more deserving of the award than me”.
However, there has been recent speculation that Barton’s career at Newcastle may be shortlived. While originally, it was thought that the dispute was over the length of extension being offered, it has recently become apparent that Barton has not been offered any contract extension at all, and may even move on to another club in the close season.
Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew said of the situation in a recent interview:
“Unless it changes over the summer and there’s a bid in that the board, myself and Joey feel works for Joey, I think he will be here for the start of the season. The thing about contracts is, times change.
Tantalisingly, Pardew then suggested that an agreement on an extension might have been possible, saying:
“I’m not upset about it. I was more upset when we thought we had agreed and there was a change of heart. I knew it would be a problem to come back from that.”
Both Barton and his agent, Willie McKay, have expressed a wish for the player to see out his full contract at Newcastle United, with Mackay saying recently:
“He was happy to take a four-year deal and less money…”
Hinting at the rift with Ashley, he added later:
“The only reason Joey will stay at Newcastle [beyond next season], I think, is if there are new owners, to be perfectly honest.
“I have had a few calls from other clubs because of the news – everybody knows about the situation at the moment.
“I have had a few managers on asking what the situation is with Joey, but only if a top club came in, I think he would move on.
“He has set his mind up to stay at Newcastle next season because he loves it up there, he’s settled and he’s playing very, very well.”
Getting back to Barton, once again on his Twitter site, he also indicated that he hasn’t been offered any extension, tweeting:
“I can’t sign a contract if am not offered one?”
Adding in subsquent entries:
“I will tell all when the time is right, basically they want a younger, better, cheaper player…………cant blame Mike and Derek can you?
“I am an employee so have to be careful here. Everyone knows I’d love to stay, I get on with Pardew fine and are dressing room is 1st class..
And finally:
“If am not offered a new contract, my hands are tied. I will continue to do everything in my power to bring a trophy to St James next season”
We will look forward, no doubt, to when “the time is right”, and he tells all!
NUFCBlog Author: workyticket
workyticket has written 1091 articles on this blog.
we need our backbone to stay for next season, lets not forget how long it took our current stars to settle e.g. collocini, enrique, nolan, barton, jonas. some of which were already playing in the premiership