Barton: Medical at QPR.Newcastle United midfielder, Joey Barton has reported on his Twitta page that he is now going for a medical at West London suitors, Queen’s Park Rangers.
He also tweeted that there has still been no offer of a contract extension at his current club and that he is leaving reluctantly as his “hands are tied” due to the lack of an offer from the club’s current owner, Mike Ashley.
His tweets read as follows:
“Going for a medical now, still no contract offer from NUFC…….think that just about makes my mind up.”
“Don’t want to leave Newcastle……..I’ve made that clear but my hands are tied.”
More on this story later no doubt, as it develops. Over and oot!(more…)
Kevin Nolan: Why in public?In a Mirror ‘exclusive’, former Newcastle captain, Kevin Nolan, has urged his former partner in crime, Joey Barton, to join Sam Allardyce’s ‘sexy football’ revolution at West Ham.
Nolan said:
“Would Joey Barton come here? Well, I came here, so I can’t see why Joey Barton would not come, it is a massive club.
“The way he has been treated over the last couple of years, he is probably looking for an escape.
“He knows I’m here, he knows Sam (who brought the player to St James’ park in June 2007) is here and what we are about – I can look after him and he can look after me!
“It would definitely be good for me. Joey is a great player to play alongside and he is a winner.
“He tells it straight, as people know, but deep down he is a lovely lad and I get on really well with him.
“He would be a great acquisition to the squad if we got him here.(more…)
Not guilty, m'ludNewcastle United deny that their players were out of control during Saturday’s bust-up with Arsenal.
It appears Newcastle United aren’t happy about the charges the FA levied after the fracas during Saturday’s game against Arsenal.
The statement from the FA reads:
“Newcastle United and Arsenal have been charged by The FA with failing to control their players following Saturday’s fixture at St James’ Park.
“Both clubs have been charged following a mass confrontation of players following an incident in which Arsenal’s Gervinho was also shown a red card in the 75th minute.
“Following Gervinho’s dismissal Arsenal have lodged a claim that the standard punishment of a three-match suspension is clearly excessive. A Regulatory Commission will hear the claim on 16 August.
“Meanwhile Arsenal’s Alex Song has been charged separately by The FA with violent conduct following an incident earlier in the same fixture.
“Both clubs have until 1600 BST on 18 August to respond to the charge, whilst Song must reply by 1800 on 16 August.” (more…)
Should we be worried?Newcastle United’s Joey Barton was at the centre of a mini-storm during yesterday’s match against Arsenal, but is it indicative of a longer-term problem with the player?
Obviously the press are having a field day with the Barton/Gervinho stuff, but I do have some long-term concerns.
In the heat of the match, amidst the desire to try and squeeze 3 points out of Arsenal, I was quite happy to see Gervinho sent off and Barton only receive a yellow. On reflection though, I didn’t like the way Barton reacted to the ‘slap’ any more than I liked Gervinho’s dive in the box.
Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I don’t like cheating in sport and neither do I think that saying “it’s just the modern game” or “we have to do it because other teams do” is any excuse.
I think it’s sad that we’d struggle to find a football player who’d play with 100% honesty these days, even it’s just when they ‘play for’ free kicks. It’s doubly sad that we’ve come to accept all that as ‘normal’.
But that’s kind of an aside. What I’m concerned about is Barton’s frame of mind. I wonder if yesterday was just a one-off or whether there’s a frustration bubbling within Barton that’s going to come to the surface during the games he plays for us this season. Red cards can cost us games and, I have to say, I get the impression that Barton is heading for an eruption. (more…)
In what seems to be somwthing of a tradition now, Newcastle United faced their usual stiff test against one of the ‘top four’ clubs in their first game of the Premiership season.
Those who might have been expecting a repeat of the last fixture against the Gunners were to be disappointed. However, although our last game against Arsenal was a 4-4 rollercoaster and this was a fairly flat 0-0 draw overall, there were similarities besides both teams walking away with a point each. It was strongly arguable that Arsenal dominated the midfield in the first half with their 4-2-3-1 against our 4-4-2. As well as this, the Joey Barton show also played a key role in controversial circumstances resulting in an Arsenal player, the debutante, Gervinho this time rather than Abu Diaby, being sent off and changing the balance of the game somewhat. Plus ça change… (more…)
