Barton takes the free kicks, corners, throw-ins, and now the Armband!

April 6th, 2011 | 72 Comments |

I guess it could’ve gone to Fabricio Coloccini, with him being a very experienced Argentinean international and ever present. But I tend to think Alan Pardew is trying to do what a lot of managers try by giving the armband / responsibility to the player that has the drive, determination and passion that the Captain needs to have. I’m not suggesting Colo doesn’t have said attributes, more that it is the perfect opportunity to allow Joey Barton to step up and show the football world how far he has come since his much reported brushes with authority. Plenty of footballers have been ‘made’ in such circumstances. For Joey to get this honour is a big step for Alan Pardew, but I, for one, think it’s been coming for some time now. The lad never shirks responsibility on the pitch and has shown immense patience over this season, sometimes up against great odds and provacation.

Some will say it’s part of the ‘buttering up’ underway to get him to sign on the dotted line of a new contract, it could be. But it also shows what everyone at the club thinks of his input since regaining full fitness this term and his ability to motivate the rest of the team. It will also force opposing managers, players and more especially, referees and even the odd pundit to reassess their built in and often out of date attitude towards him. (more…)