Alan Pardew has the final sayNewcastle United manager Alan Pardew talks about Joey Barton’s potential selection for Saturday’s game against Arsenal and a dispute between the board and players about bonuses.
It appears that there will be no further ‘boardroom revenge’ against Joey Barton for his renegade Twitter activities beyond the fine he has already received and that Alan Pardew will have the final say as to whether he plays against Arsenal on Saturday.
The usually reclusive Pardew gave an interview for once and had this to say when asked whether he needs to clear Barton’s selection at board level:
“It’s my decision. I’ll probably talk to Joey before the start of training on Friday but I’m not sure whether he’ll start on Saturday, whatever answer he gives me.”
On whether or not Joey will actually see out his contract at Newcastle, Pardew said:
“Only Joey will determine that.
“I’ve said to Joey that he won’t play for me and I won’t include him unless I think he’s pulling for us. He’s in the process of weighing up what he needs to do.(more…)
Patronising?Speaking in a rare interview, Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew has told both fans and players that we need to buy into what Newcastle United is all about, saying:
“People need to buy into what Newcastle United is all about, we haven’t got the riches of some of the clubs.”
Well of course, I can’t speak for all of the fans, and wouldn’t attempt to, but writing personally as someone who was born in Gosforth and who has bought into what the club is since childhood, I feel a little patronised when a manager who has been at the club for less than a year should be telling both myself and my fellow sufferers who have supported the team through thick and thin, including times when the club had far fewer riches than it does today that I have to “buy into what Newcastle United is all about”. Unless, Mr.Pardew wasn’t really asking us to get behind the team, but get behind himself, Ashley, Llambias and the constantly misleading statements they are making to us, the ever decreasing investment in new players as the best of the old ones are shown the door, the huge increases in prices for disabled fans, the cheapening of our stadium with tacky, garish Sports Direct advertising, the breaking up of the singing section. Mr. Pardew, please don’t conflate the right to express an opinion on how much fans of the club are taken for granted with not buying into Newcastle United itself. (more…)
Surplus to requirements at Man U?Newcastle United are allegedly looking a two midfielders who could be seen as Joey Barton replacements.
I’m guessing that since Barry McIntosh – the guy claiming to be the UK representative of Tranquillo Barnetta – actually isn’t his representative after all, the Toon’s interest in the player is still valid.
And given that it turns out his current salary with Bayer Lederhosen is allegedly £27k/week, if we have indeed offered him a salary of £40k/week then I would guess he’d be tempted by a switch to Newcastle.
Pardew has said that he hasn’t considered replacing Barton yet, which would suggest that Barnetta is not seen as a direct replacement for him. Furthermore, Pardew seemed to intimate that Joey could still have a future at Newcastle if some judicious ‘bridge-building’ is undertaken. (more…)
No more Twits at NewcastleOn the back of Joey Barton’s Twittergate situation, Newcastle United get heavy by making it clear that using Twitter to attack the club is forbidden.
Inevitably, Newcastle United have laid down the law regarding Twitter and all players have been issued with strict guidelines as to what they can and cannot to on the loathsome application.
Basically, they’re not allowed to use it (or other social networking sites) to reveal ‘privileged’ information about the club that might give other clubs a competitive advantage and they can’t use it in a way which might undermine their colleagues at the club.
Joey Barton – along with all the players – has been given a letter from lawyers telling him that he’ll be in breach of contract if he uses to Twitter to comment on club affairs again so, unless he’s prepared to risk his salary, we’ve probably heard the last of his Tweets until he leaves the club. (more…)
Finds his voice againNewcastle United manager Alan Pardew returns to the public eye today with comments about Barton, Enrique, Twitter and Tranquillo Barnetta.
Inevitably Alan Pardew eventually had something to say on the whole Barton debacle. Allegedly the Newcastle manager’s tongue had to be put in a splint following an accident as it attempted to break the land speed record, but it’s now back in action. Pardew said:
“I’ve never closed the door on anyone and I’m not closing the door on Joey.
“He trained with the development team today and, who knows, he may train with the first-team soon.”
Who knows indeed. Pardew continued:
“It’s a situation I didn’t envisage being in.
“Joey is a great player and you want great players in your team. It’s very important as a football club that you are all pulling in the same direction – at this moment of time where Joey is not pulling in the same direction. That’s not to say that can’t change in a short period of time.
“I’m still reflecting on the situation, as is Joey at this present time, on how best to resolve this issue. I think that is important at the moment.” (more…)
