Joey Barton’s final riposte?
Posted on July 31st, 2011 | 46 Comments |
Not content with sharing his knowledge on actual government politics, how clever he actually is, his GCSE results, or how rubbish American immigration are, Joey had this to say:
“If only we as players could tell the fans exactly how it is, without them above fining us lots of money. There will be a time and a place.
“If it wouldn’t effect team morale and cause unrest within the dressing room, am certain Jose’s comments would be the tip of the iceberg…..
“And again it would be left to those magnificent fans to pick up the remnants of their once great football club.
“If I wanted to leave, I’d just come out and say ‘I want to leave’. Things need addressing as am not prepared to go through a relegation again.“
This seems to be in relation to what our former captain Kevin Nolan has had to say today in regards to a certain member of Newcastle’s board, as well as what Jose Enrique has stated (also via Twitter), in this past week.
Now, I like Joey Barton, I think he is an excellent player, and was a massive reason United did well last season. I will not however jump on the band wagon of some people calling him a Newcastle ‘legend’, as one good season doesn’t qualify anyone to that level. One thing he is though, is important to Newcastle next season on and off the pitch. This latest outburst against the board, doesn’t help matters at all, and in fact, seems to give out the signal that all is not well within the United camp.
This, remember, is our former vice-captain talking. In an ideal World, he probably would have been named club-captain, had it not been for his recent contract problems. In my opinion, there is no need to say the things he just has, and it gives out all the wrong signals, as the new league season approaches in two weeks time.
I agree with what he is saying to a degree, I dislike Ashley and Llambias as much as I dislike peanut butter (a lot), but I don’t want to see one of our players venting this out in public, like the way in which he has just chosen to. He must conduct himself in a professional manner at all times, no matter what the circumstances are. I assume most of us know what a weasel Derek Llambias is, and in relation to football clubs, he couldn’t run a bath.
What I don’t agree with, is joey’s statement of “And again it would be left to those magnificent fans to pick up the remnants of their once great football club”.
Newcastle United is, and always will be, a great football club. It doesn’t matter what clowns are in charge, nothing will ever change who we are, and the feeling we get when 52,000+ scream their team on. The shivers I get down my spine as Local Hero blasts from the P.A system is something that cannot be described through text, you have to be there and witness it for yourselves. It’s special, and no-one, even an idiot like Llambias will ever be able to take that away (unless the club decide to play some sort of Sports Direct anthem at the start of our home matches!).
Joey’s comments don’t particularly help matters with our new signings either, they must be thinking “what have I got myself into hear?”, if indeed everything is as bad as Barton is making out. I want to see Joey lead the team by example on and off the pitch, the way he did last season, winding the players up before games, installing the importance of playing for Newcastle United.
Sadly, what Joey and Jose have recently stated, is something I have feared, and I’m sure many of us have too. I want the players to just get on with the job in hand, and make sure they put in 100% effort in each game. There is nothing that we can do as fans, to change the politics of what goes on inside St James’ Park without there being an adverse effect on the team. We can chant, and parade miss-spelt banners all day long, it wont make a bit of difference. The players too, can sulk and whine, but again, they will not accomplish anything other than wind themselves and the fans up
Time for Newcastle United, to be United, and show everyone that we are ready for this new season. Time for certain players to keep quiet, and let their football do the talking. We have been in worse situations than this before.
Lets begin by getting stuck into Arsenal in two weeks time!
Howay The Lads.
All of what you write here is bang on the money. If I lambast my employer I would be fired. Sadly players are more than employees to a club, they are assets. Barton should be sold regardless of his worth on the pitch as these musings cannot be tolerated