The Newcastle United Blog

114 responses so far ↓

• 1 Graham // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:17

  we have no one better!!!!

  lets not cut off our niose just to spite our face

• 2 barton u sux // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:17

  There are no comments yet…please kick things off by filling out the form below - thanks.

• 3 Faustino // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:21

  I bet he bloody is!

• 4 totsy // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:23

  how can you say that he should be sacked???
  how many of you have been in a street brawl???
  now how many of you have been sacked???
  exactly,none, so wy should he? at the end of last season joey started to produce some amazing performances as you can tell by the polls>> as he is allways in the top 3/4.
  if the club show some faith in joey im sure it would pay dividends!.

  i for one think that joeys is one od our best players and sacking him would be a huge mistake by the club, as hes still reasoonably yung and we were already lacking in the centre mid positions…it also meens that more money will have to be spent on a replacment for him a he will also want a hefty pay off from the club..

  everyone stop jumping on the band wagon and think for a minute..

  peace

• 5 sas // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:24

  Better to have him fit than on heroin tbf

• 6 Tom_Toon // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:24

  He doesnt deserve to be sacked! Get off your fkin moral highground, get back down to earth!

• 7 Ben_BKK // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:25

  Anyone else seen, he’s been spared jail…

  http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/07/01/SOCCER_Barton_Lead.html&TEAMHD=soccer

  Now what are we gonna do?

• 8 sas // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:26

  While we’re on the subject of Barton all day, I think it was a massive blow to Fat Sam when Barton got injured in preseason. It seemed to me that he was building a team around Barton, and when he missed out on the end of preseason, it took him a very long time to get up to speed.

• 9 sas // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:27

  Newcastle United notes the sentence passed to Joey Barton at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court today.

  The Club now intends to hold discussions with Joey and his representatives at the earliest possible opportunity.

  Until such time that this meeting has taken place, there will be no further comment from the Club.

  http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1336967,00.html

• 10 Nev // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:28

  i agree with totsy and tom_toon.

  does anyone remeber dyer and bowyer ?

  they didnt get the sack did so why should barton ?

  if anything the dyer and bowyer situation was far worse for the club than this

• 11 Gunnar/Iceland // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:28

  I dont care if he comes back from prison as looking like The Hulk (still that would mean his IQ might have increased). Sack him.

• 12 ELFER // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:29

  wow, I thought I will be the only one who rate him that high! I’m impressed with the thoughts here and I think he has a very importet role to play for newcastle!

  don’t sack him, seems that his rhea is proceeding really well and on pitch he’s gifted!

• 13 Nev // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:29

  i agree with sas aswell lol … thats why smith ended up playing CM.
  and we all know how that turned out

• 14 micepie // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:29

  Either one of two things really:

  KK and other staff have a serious talk with Barton and have legal papers drawn up (if necessary) to give us the right to sack him and retain his registration immediately should any other misdemeanor occur in the future,

  OR make a fresh start, sack him and finally fax some offers for two or three of the many mf players we’ve been linked with in the past month! It doesn’t have to be the big stars, even the 2-3M lesser-knowns to give us more options for now.

• 15 T.O.Mag // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:29

  We don’t seem to be in any position to sack players, with no financial gain.
  Which is probably why he wasn’t sacked months ago.
  Ashley seems to be in no position to lose 5M
  When Man City made a “moral” decision, we gave them 5.8M, which made it easier for them.

• 16 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:31

  totsy I agree!! yes keep him!!!

• 17 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:32

  Look at it this way;

  Joey Barton is not a footballer, say he works in a factory.

  Whilst out on the town, he drinks too much and fills in a couple of kids.

  He goes to court and is sentenced just as the factory shut down for the summer begins.

  As the factory reopens and welcomes back it employees, here comes Joey Barton fresh out of jail and has not missed a days work.

  Now do you think he would be sacked?

  Of course not.
  Many of the comments surround the argument that he should be treat like Joe Public and not Joe Barton the footballer.

  Well sorry to say if he was treat like Joe Public the question of him returning to work would not even come into question.

  The other argument is, ah but he IS a footballer and is in the public eye. He should behave better.

  Joey Barton did not get into politics, he plays football probably because thats whats hes best at and recieved very little education, because football DEMANDS you are taking out of main stream education as soon as you show promise.

  NO ONE can condone his actions, but he has been punished!

  Some Newcastle fans may not be able to live with him and fair comment, but with our current squad Newcastle United dont look like they can live without him!

• 18 James // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:33

  Breaking News:

  Barton given 4 month suspended sentance

• 19 seetow // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:35

  ed i’m sorry about this i’ve always loved your site and i have never hesitated in telling you this but i feel this article is a tad too biased and you should try to keep your own feelings off the article.

  let’s look at it from the club’s point of view. this lad has just been let off the hook and is learning anger management with tony adams and claims to be really fit in time for next season, what better news do we expect?

• 20 robertsa // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:36

  kind of agree shouldnt get sacked just should let the kid he beet up’s dad lash his face off.werent we ment to sign mourane chamakh today
  damn de ridder has gone to wigan mind you we never really looked at him. at the entertainers. factory workers dont get payed millions a year and have kids looking up to them.

• 21 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:36

  Lets hope he doesn’t put an axe in Obas head, like his cousin did to some balck kid!!!!

  If he stays fit, and is flying in pre-season, then we could have the Joey Barton of old back! Now thats what I would like to see!!!

• 22 ObaFan2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:36

  The law’s an ass

• 23 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:37

  good point made - The Entertainers

• 24 Davies // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:37

  Totsy, Tom_toon and anyone else saying this TW@T does not deserve to be sacked, get a grip.

  Two of my colleagues were sacked a littl over a month ago for going out to the car park to settle their differnces over a petty arguement, and nobody disagreed with the managers decision.

  You cannot expect to behave in this manner in a civilised society and go unpunished.

  DO YOU WANT THIS THUG WEARING OUR COLOURS AND REPRESENTING OUR GREAT CLUB?

  I didn’t think so.

  Dyer, Bowyer and anybody else that conducts themselves in this unacceptable manner would ordinarily be sacked by any employer, especially if it landed them in prison.

  Totsy, have you ever had a job and got caught scrapping with your colleagues?

  Have you ever had a job?

• 25 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:38

  Where’s the TRANSFERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Window is open now, you can tell us NUFC!

• 26 ELFER // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:38

  If he runs the hell out of his socks on the pitch, does it matter if then goes afterwards back into jail? I say do not get rid of him and instead build on him!

• 27 51times // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:40

  Kash2 - Why bring that up? Joey Barton didn’t kill that kid, why h0ld it against him?

• 28 Davies // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:41

  Barton can be replaced The Entertainers, by far better midfielders. That shouldn’t even factor in your argument.

  There’s no way he should be out, and I know that’s not his decision, but it’s down to the club to act responsibly.

  As I said before, if it was you, your little brother, or your son on the receiving end of any of Barton’s famed attacks, you would all be singing a different song.

  tom_toon, stick to the football knowledge, you’re much better at that.

• 29 cooldj // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:41

  one thing you’ve gotta say about newcastle. we always find a way to steal the sporting headlines.

• 30 James // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:42

  I like a lot of people want Barton out of the Toon.

  As do the board. Ashley and Mort (especially Mort), are not fans of Barton and his behaviour.

  The problem is KK wants Barton to stay no matter what - and that is the sole reason he hasn’t been sacked.

  When he was asked to take a pay cut he told us to F*** off. Barton’s behaviour has already cost Fat Sam his job, and it will cost KK his, when next season Barton goes back to prison for another assault.

• 31 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:43

  No matter us arguing about Joey barton and wether or not he gets sacked or not, this comes down to MA and the board!

  more interested in whats happening about tranfers and next season!!!

• 32 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:44

  @ Davies

  Dont get me wrong i understand fans never wanting him back and thats their opinion. Part of me completely understands.

  However did your mates scrap during work?
  If so then they deserved to be sacked, in the car park man!
  Barton wasnt even in the same town and was not on work time. Noone would ever have know if he wasnt Joey Barton!

  Also he didnt go unpunished! He served 6 weeks or what ever. Granted it was lenient, but thats not Bartons fault.

• 33 robertsa // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:44

  agree with every word davies.

• 34 BennAllen // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:45

  seetow.. i agree .. ed your comments in the last couple of articles on joey are to biased.. i know this is your opinion .. keep the articles free from it.. and comment your feelings buddy

• 35 bettyswollocks // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:46

  well ive said it before and i’ll say it again. if KK feel that Joey is worth one more chance in a bid to turn him into a decent human being then that’s good enough for me.

  he’s a bad lad but he’s surely not beyond redemption. he’ll probably get a last chance with kk so it’s up to him to take it. he has the sporting chance clinic etc so no more excuses. time will tell.

• 36 A geordiedoonsooth // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:46

  There’s something called integrity. We should sack the scouse thug. I don’t care how good he is he deserves to be sacked.

• 37 robertsa // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:47

  to have assaulted a former team mate then knock out a kid. put yourself in this position. your son has came in dripping of blood caused by joey barton. youd be the first to go to the next toon match hop over the railing past the stewards and rip his face off while he is playing.

• 38 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:47

  But NUFC - Ashley, Morte and the board knew what joey barton was about and what he had done in the past!! if that was the case why employ him in the first place!!

• 39 Chicken // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:48

  The Entertainers - are you for real? Your example was certainly entertaining, but that’s all it was.

  Now try a real example. He works at a company (not a factory) that is open all year round. He still gets drunk, fills in a kid, gets a 5 month sentence and doesn’t turn up at work for the next 2 months until he is released for good behaviour. I’m pretty sure his work would have already ripped up his contract by the time he reported back.

• 40 mark // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:48

  What people are missing here is it is not NUFC’s position to punish him, in my opinion, as his crimes have not affected his employment. He has commited and owned up to his crimes and has been punished by the British Legal System. Whether or not you agree with the sentence is a different matter. He will soon be a free man although under probation, and as a free man has the right to seek employment. I do not think that it sends out a good message if NUFC sacks him, as it says they will not hire someone with a criminal record. He has done/ is doing his time and that should be punishment enough. What is he supposed to do never work again because has been to jail and made some mistakes?

• 41 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:49

  Davies

  your right Barton can be replaced, but at a cost and i’m sure in Ashleys thinking that does come into the thoughts of what to do with him.

  Yes Barton getting out early is not his fault. But the club knew this was coming when we signed him. I cant understand the hostility egarding THIS offence. He was always going to deny it until the judge offered him a way out! But even if he is guilty Newcastle knew this was always a possibility and still signed him. It should have been Man City who should have sacked him not us!

• 42 robertsa // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:49

  allot of you lot saying he shouldnt be sacked are the ones the other day saying julio baptista shouldnt come because of his attitude.

• 43 figsdad // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:50

  Willie McKay needs sacking for selling us crap like barton doomsong and other players..

  wish the F.A. would take away his badge.,..

• 44 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:50

  @ Chicken

  You missed my point

  I chose a factory because of the summer shut down. Football clubs do have this in common with factories.

  Barton has not missed a days work !

  Until Monday that is

• 45 BennAllen // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:51

  chicken.. but his “company” isnt open all year round is it?? the entertainers.. your 100% right

• 46 James // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:52

  Hate Prawn Sandwiches - Fat Sam said Mort turned the Barton transfer down three times because Ashley told him not to sign Barton due to his previous trouble. But Fat Sam convinced Ashley that Barton’s troubled past was behind him (he said this live on TV). Since then Barton has been in prison twice…

• 47 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:52

  @51 Times- because he’s a WRONGUN, just like his cousin. So many times i’ve seen tw@t’s like him in London, and with the whole knife/gun crime culture at the moment, is he really providing a good example?

  Last thing I want is people like him walking the streets at home (Newcastle). Newcastle has always been a mans city, where men sort out there differences amicably, not by battering someone on the floor.

  I was brought up a completely different way to JB, and it tells. I’ve never been in prison or had trouble with police!

• 48 bettyswollocks // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:54

  @ the entertainers

  got to pull you up there mate. he missed a load when he was locked up for 3 weeks initially

• 49 robertsa // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:54

  his job isnt exactly hard he has to run a round kicking a ball for 90 minuites. and get payed thousands a week. it would be an honour to have that job. but no he wastes his oppurtunity to be a legend . id lock him up.

• 50 BennAllen // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:54

  kash2.. i agree with 51times.. for once.. he had no control over what his cousin did.

• 51 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:56

  @ Betty

  I stand corrected then mate.

  But why not sack him then?

  Would sound a bit hypercritical now.

• 52 Chicken // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:56

  Er, but football clubs don’t shut down, do they. Just because the players aren’t playing doesn’t mean they aren’t in the employ of the club and have certain responsibilities to carry out. Like being an ambassador for the club for a start. Last time I checked they still get paid their salary (over £50k a week in JB’s case) during the summer.

  What’s more worrying is that your argument seems to based on the premise that, if you can get away with it, then that’s ok.

• 53 Davies // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:57

  I like you The Entertainers, you are a balanced and reasonable man.

  You have to admit, that if Joe Public’s timing wasn’t as fortuitous as Barton’s, he would have missed six weeks of work, be it in a factory or on a football pitch. Let’s also remember that Barton was banned from playing in Liverpool, and we could attribute the loss of 3 points to his absence (i know that’s stretching it but there is a point here). His absence could easily have been to the detriment of the club that pay his obscene wage. As he wasn’t allowed on the pitch, we don’t know what difference that would have made.

  If you think he should be treated like everybody else, I agree. Anyone else would not be getting released in time for the factory to reopen.

  I hope you see my point a little more clearly. I also hope that you have the optimism that we can improve our central midfield options.

  For anybody else saying he deserves a second chance, please feel free to go through the raft of articles on Newsnow that list his numerous second chances.

• 54 robertsa // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:58

  chicken youve got an un serious name but your comments are spot on.

• 55 BennAllen // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:59

  not at all. i dont like joey barton as he is a thug.. but he is one of the best footballers at the club.. i personally like him alot because he is such a good footballer.. he hasnt missed any games due to this prision sentence.. or any training.. so i cant see a reason to sack him.. although there would have been a case to sack him when he missed the games in mid season

• 56 bettyswollocks // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:00

  entertainers - yes it would be hypocritical. I don’t believe for one minute they will sack him. The dabo case happened before he signed so they would have sacked him by now if they were gonna do it based on the xmas incident.

• 57 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:01

  Fact is, that he has now got a chance to get rehabilitated. Lets all hope he doesn’t axe any coloured people, me included!

  I hope he turns a corner, becomes a buddhist priest and plays like a demon possessed. However, should he be seen anywhere near an axe, then SACK the scouse scum bag and find an even better player, like Johnson who plays for city!!!

• 58 HalftimeBovril // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:02

  Barton basically knows he’s in the last chance saloon. He’s got a 2 year probation hanging over his head and any sniff of trouble he’ll be banged up before you can say lights out.

  Of course I don’t condone what he has done but I think if the club do keep him I’d hope he begins to repay the faith kk has shown in him on the pitch and more importantly in the community by giving something back and trying to become a better person.

• 59 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:03

  A cliche’d saying, but it’s not far from the truth:

  “A LEOPARD NEVER CHANGES ITS SPOTS”

• 60 robertsa // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:03

  have we signed mourane chamakh like we were supposed to?

• 61 bettyswollocks // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:03

  If KK wants to give Joey another chance that should be the end of it. He knows him better than anyone at the club.

• 62 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:03

  I hope I am wrong!!!

• 63 51times // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:05

  Kash2 - Stop with this axe stuff, you’re presenting yourself as a damn fool.

• 64 mushy // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:06

  Wether we like it or not, footballers today are role models to our kids/grandkids. Do we really want them to emulate the likes of Joey Barton. NUFC should take a stand and have him excluded. The cost is a price worth paying, and his limited football talents will not be missed in an improving team.

• 65 robertsa // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:06

  at the end of the day we have a split decision.i want him to go but mike ashley is looking to cut costs sacking a player will do that but it would be a hell of a waste

• 66 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:07

  Why thankyou Davies and i enjoy reading your comments too.

  I completely understand this to be a very emotive subject with clearly two sides.

  Love your 3 point argument regarding Liverpool, but if he was that good, then we should definitley keep him…..lol

  As for him being released early due to his status, i disagree and see this happening on a daily basis in my job……hate the justice system, but thats another argument! However his timing is perfection, but that may have something to do with a good lawyer and not his status.

  However you are right Mr Barton has had 2nd, 3rd and 4th chances, but you know what someone somewhere in football will give him a 5th chance. Why not us?

  I’m not trying to change peoples minds on here regarding Barton, these are just my opinions.

  @ Chicken

  Your point is valid, but i bet it does not say in Joey Bartons contract anywhere he has to be a club ambassador. Thats a personal choice and one Barton has not chosen to accept.

• 67 Faustino // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:07

  god job we’re not Plymouth fans ey?

• 68 robertsa // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:07

  weve got to ask our selfs would any team take him in the transfer market. well lets hope big sam gets his job back at bolton and barton can go and play with him again

• 69 toooooon fan // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:08

  expect news on swp soon
  no sightings last night

• 70 Ed Harrison // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:08

  Mark - I understand your point - but usually terms of the conditons of employment state that if you land up in jail, you will be sacked.
  I was a manager at IBM for a long time and can tell you if this had happened to an IBMer he would have been out of the door a long time ago.

• 71 bettyswollocks // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:08

  kash2 that is a cliche. Some people do change for the better and you never know some good could come of this. People are often too negative and only see the bad. Joey cant be all bad or KK wouldnt bother staking his reputation by giving him a character reference.

  You’ve got to remember barton is still a young lad. He’s got problems and needs help. Not everybody can lead model lives and handle the pressure of fame and fortune easily.

  At least he now seems to be acknowledging that he needs help which is a step in the right direction. Lets hope he takes his last chance.

• 72 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:09

  TRANSFER NEWS ANYONE?

• 73 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:09

  One other point, sorry

  Who here goes to SJP or to watch any football in general to see role models?

  Not me, but maybe i’m missing out on something

• 74 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:11

  Don’t play the fame and fortune card. He’s no different to the scally’s in Blyth, Cramlington, Byker, Walker etc etc etc!!!!

  He has a certain mentality, and until he has some sort of immaculate epiphany, there is no changing his attitude!

  the kid hasn’t shown any bloody remorse. Thats what gets me!

• 75 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:13

  WOOOOOOO KASH

  Have to pull you up on the Blyth scally remark!

  Dont taint my quiet little Northumberland village…….ha ha

• 76 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:13

  Why doesn’t Joey Barton just get in the ring with Ricky Hatton and release all his tension?

• 77 Davies // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:13

  I going to have to agree with chicken here. When you pull on the colours and take the £60k a week, you are automatically an ambasador for the club. You don’t have a choice in the matter because people know who you are.

  It probably doesn’t say anything in his contract about street brawls and prison sentances either, but common sense has to prevail somewhere.

  I’m sick of being associated with thugs and bully’s that make our club look like a breeding ground for criminals.

• 78 bailey // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:13

  even if he was whiter than white I still dont know why we bought him anyway. Never thought he was much of a player and no other club seemed to want him when it was clear he was leaving City.I hate to defend him but has it ever been made public what was said or done to provoke him either at city or his Mcdonalds fiasco. If we knew then perhaps we could wonder how we would have reacted given the same provocation.

• 79 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:14

  Sorry mate, but Blyth has its fair share of REALLY BAD estates. I know, as I see some of them dafties emigrating over to Crammy where my dads business is!

• 80 mushy // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:17

  to “Entertainers”. No-one consciously goes to SJP or any other venue to watch role models. Ask one of the grown-ups to explain what a role model actually is.

• 81 Spyro // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:18

  Kash2 the fact that you refer to yourself as “coloured” is ridiculous.

• 82 Davies // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:18

  This is my last post on this matter and then I’m closing this particular blog.

  There’s right, and there’s wrong. We should all know the difference.

  It’s a shame to see so many defending the wrong simply because we lack cover in midfield. What excuses will you make next time?

  Hang your heads gentlemen.

• 83 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:18

  Davies your right it should come naturally to be an ambassador, but try telling that to an illeducated, blue collar background millionaire!

  Anyway i’m enjoying playing devils adcovate far too much and will stand behind any decision the club makes regarding Barton, as noone is bigger than the club as they say!

• 84 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:19

  My head is hung !!!

• 85 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:19

  @Spyro - The fact that your name is based upon a computer game character is absolutely preposterous.

• 86 Spyro // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:26

  not really, it is merely a name that means nothing. Used purely so i can post on this website. i can change it at anytime, and probably will soon as i am getting bored with it to tell the truth.

  Fact of the matter is, i am Afro-Caribbean and i would NEVER refer to myself as coloured and no other self respecting ethnic member of society would either. To hear you say such a thing is just embarrassing, and i have many friends who would be ready to fight if they were ever called that which you call yourself.

  …maybe you are just completely ignorant to the offence you can cause with such terminology

• 87 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:32

  Are you asking me for a fight? If I was caught by the police, I would lose my job, and I’m also responsible enough to know not to be sucked into such Tom-Foolery.

  Oh, and I apologise for my non-PC comment. I didn’t realise that such a comment would offend, considering it wasn’t written with any malice.

  But considering you advocate violent behaviour, I, as well as other readers, now understand why you hold JB in such high regard.

• 88 ende // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:33

  Again Joey’s haters spew out this pretentious drivel. Get off your high horses, your ‘moral highground’ is absolute rubbish. Man City ‘did the right thing’ to make a buck off him, and Bolton is already lining up to take him off our hands. None of these clubs share your obsession with ‘morality’, and neither should Newcastle. It’s utter and complete garbage.

• 89 Spyro // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:35

  “I didn’t realise that such a comment would offend. ”

  …unbelievable, if that is the case you clearly do not know many ethnic members of society.

  anyway, whatever, apology accepted

• 90 ToonDaft // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:46

  problem is with everyone shouting for his sacking… would you all be so adamant if his football talent was on par with, i dunno, say Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi? If we had Messi at the Toon, he batters someone in similar fashion down the Quayside, gets arrested and follows the same judicial process, would you want him back for pre-season, or would you want him sacked and thrown into the wilderness? Let’s be honest now!!! I know he obviously NOT as good but think about this before shouting out to simply sack him.

  However, personally, I don’t give two hoots if I suddenly read that we have sacked him, but then again, I have never greatly rated him as a player and I think he is a million miles off deserving a reported 60k/wk (Adebayor on 30k/pw article made me laugh quite a bit). I will support him in the sheer HOPE KK can transform him though, if we decided to persevere with him.

  And another thing, whilst his actions are without a shadow of doubt deplorable, and I certainly don’t want that sort of thing blemishing the Toon’s good name, I wonder how many football stars have done similar things in clubs or out of view of CCTV and gotten away with it, without us even hearing one dot of it.

  Let’s just wait and see what happens and accept the outcome either way. For those that are adamant in their stance, in the unlikely situation of us being a goal behind Man U with two mins left to play and Barton scores to gain us a point or God forbid, earn us a victory, will you not go bonkers with celebration? I don’t like that lad, but gotta say, I would be jumping with joy as ever

• 91 IanG // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:47

  I would like to see him sacked, no doubt about it, he deserves it and anyone who thinks differently is smoking dope.
  The incident at Christmas should have been the last straw but I suspect that Ashley seems to value money more than taking a moral position and as he’s clearly a pragmatist I am expecting Barton to be kept on. When the dust has settled he’ll probably be sold in the January window.
  If I was running the club he’d be out the door immediately especially if I had 1.6Bn in my back pocket.
  Get rid ………oh and get some players signed.

• 92 ende // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:51

  Davies, this isn’t story-book-land, this is fricken football! If I want morality I’ll go read a bible story. Nobody thinks Newcastle is a breeding ground for criminals if we keep Barton around. On the contrary, they’ll think we’re silly if we do oust him. The club’s only responsibility is to make money and win games. They nor the players asked to be role models for the children or symbols of civic virtue. If you want that then go throw a charity event or something. Joey’s actions off the pitch have nothing to do with the club until they /seriously/ interfere with ability to meet his contractual obligations. If it turns out he’s spending all season in jail, then by all means renegotiate his contract or simply cut him and find a replacement. But if he can manage to not lose any time and stay fit, then that should be the end of it. The process of the law is enough and your judgement of him is unnecessary.

  Ultimately cooler heads will prevail, as none of the people spouting this silly nonsense on here are in charge of the club. Thank god for that.

• 93 Martin // Jul 1, 2008 at 16:59

  The Entertainers -

  You say he should be treated like a normal member of the public but I disagree…

  If a doctor, a pollitician or a policeman went out and beat up a couple of kids in a drunken night out they’d be sacked in an instant (either that or resign) …

• 94 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 17:04

  @ Martin

  Your right mate and trust me i know that only to well (my profession is one of the above, sshh)

  But hes not, hes a bloody footballer and they get away with murder.

  But you know that.

• 95 ende // Jul 1, 2008 at 17:11

  The Entertainers - aw now you got me curious mate. wait.. you’re not Tony Blair are you?

• 96 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 17:13

  @ Ende

  Now hang on mate, call me what you want, but not BLAIR!!!

  Ha ha

• 97 Martin // Jul 1, 2008 at 17:15

  Yeah, but just ’cause he’s a footballer (a profession which as you rightly pointed out get away with murder) doesn’t mean that it’s right, or that we shouldn’t buck the trend and sack him does it?

  I think the fact that he has so many privilages in life; 50k a week (before bonuses, sponsorship and further deals done due to his public status), VIP status, world wide fame etc. means that he shouldn’t be treated as joe public…

  In the court room, in the police station and in the cells YES, but when he gets out, NO!

• 98 tam toon // Jul 1, 2008 at 17:18

  Hey Totsy you still got your fringe?

• 99 tam toon // Jul 1, 2008 at 17:19

  That Knob Willie McKay looks like he needs a carrot–eeeehhhhhh wots up doc.

• 100 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 17:25

  Oh Martin agreed with your comments until the last one.

  Thats a bit hypercritical.

  Just a hypothetical question but what would say if it was Ashley who was in trouble? He earns a bit more money and before coming to Newcastle was more or less unknow!

• 101 Martin // Jul 1, 2008 at 17:50

  Well then Ashley would be in the wrong aswell, he’d struggle to sack himself, but I’m sure there would be massive calls for him to resign or sell up!!!

  I think I just worded it wrong - what i meant was, in your previous post you commented about a factory worker, and how he might be let off….

  A doctor, MP or policeman isn’t just your average member of the public who could commit a crime like this and get away with it…I meant that footballers should be put in the same catergory as professions such as these and not factory workers etc.

• 102 totsy // Jul 1, 2008 at 18:03

  tam toon :
  have we met?

• 103 Leo // Jul 1, 2008 at 18:34

  meh is all i can say to this matter, i will again withhold my judgement on him on whether he can improve his life and then our football team

  because thats all i care about, put vinnie jones in my team anyday because he was aggressive did some naughty things but was a good footballer

• 104 normski1930z // Jul 1, 2008 at 18:42

  vinnie jones good footballer should never be in the same sentance leo….

• 105 SwedeEric // Jul 1, 2008 at 20:54

  The diff betwen Barton getting in to a fight and a man who works for a factory out in Sunderland is that noone in the UK, or the world would care one sec…

  He comes to us after the dabo incident, it takes him 6 mounth and he does almost the same thing again… And before dabo it was nother stuff… Just think it´s time to make a stand and prove Newcastle doesn´t alow this cind of behavior!

  We might loose a good player and a expensive player, but hell, a guy who tries to knock a nother man out, even if you´r drunk is a stupid idiot…

  I can tell you I have never been in a streetbrawl like that by miles…

• 106 Nobby's Dad // Jul 1, 2008 at 20:58

  This bloke gets signed for 5.8 million, gets paid a fortune and is completely unprofessional.

  At his last trial his defence solicitor basically said he was an alcoholic.As much as his anger management issues must be addressed we also need to get his life style sorted out.

• 107 normski1930z // Jul 1, 2008 at 21:12

  eric in my younger years ive had loads of really good barneys in my time with lots of differnt ppl in newcastle city centre and i have had my kickins and i have dished out some kickins thats life mate, at the end of the day nobody knows what was sed and what really caused it so in my eyes sacking him is only going to weakin the team lets not get carried away but i understand alot of what ppl are sayin but all i want is nufc to be up there with the top teams….and sacking him aint gonna do the first team no good.

• 108 Hammy // Jul 1, 2008 at 21:20

  Joey may be a role model but being in the papers for the wrong reasons didn’t do Kate Moss’s and Amy Winehouse’s careers any harm…
  (unfortunately)

• 109 Marty // Jul 1, 2008 at 21:28

  New Statements from Willie MC kay
  “JOEY BARTON IS FITTER THAN ME”
  “JOEY BARTON IS FAST WITH HIS FISTS”

• 110 tam toon // Jul 1, 2008 at 22:53

  Totsy- depends did you used to drink 1080 and go to the bigg market with a daily star in your back pocket? If not sorry mate its not you.

• 111 whereswally // Jul 1, 2008 at 23:28

  All,

  Loving the debate. Just to chip in my two pennith.

  What people need to remember is both of Barton’s offences weren’t exactly in the realm of giving someone a clip round the ear after being provoked. He paggered both individuals unconcious and proceeded to beat them whilst they were on the ground.

  As for the points that Joe Public would not be sacked I have to disagree. Every job I’ve held has had clauses that would allow the employer to give me the boot and I’ve seen them exercised.

  Putting the moral argument to one side - he’s not that good. In fact he’s mediocre. Rarely seen someone so pedestrian. Think he pulled out 2 decent passes all season. Jimmy Bullard - twice the player, twice the effort, half the wages - nuff said.

• 112 Pom // Jul 2, 2008 at 3:08

  If the club intended to sack Barton they would probably have done so when he was imprisoned for the street assault in Liverpool.

  The Dabo incident occurred before he came to Newcastle and it’s not like it was a big secret. The club must have been aware that there was a reasonable chance that he would receive a criminal conviction.

  I’m no fan of Barton and I seriously doubt whether he will make the most of any ‘last chance’ he is given, but I think it would be legally and morally wrong for the club to sack him now, given that they haven’t already done so.

• 113 Aussie Dave // Jul 2, 2008 at 6:58

  He should not be sacked, in fact that is rediculous.

  He committed a crime, faced the penalty of your legal and judicial systems and will be released on serious good behaviour and movement restrictions.

  Every person has the right to earn a living once released from jail, just because he will earn a shit load more than any of us, we are now whinging and taking the moral highground.

  Who hasn’t been in a few fights in their time?

  Finally the Dabo case is completely irrelevant to his NUFC career. We CHOSE to sign him knowing full well about this incident, so this cannot be held against him. If it was a problem we should not have signed him in the first place.

  I hope he comes back and plays his heart out, which I’m sure he will. Hopefully he gets a full pre season in, unlike last season and he will shine.

• 114 Ed Harrison // Jul 2, 2008 at 9:33

  Pom - think you could be right.

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