Kevin Keegan has again defended his midfield player Joey Barton, and refused to comment on the claim that Nasri didn’t come to Newcastle because Joey was at the club.
Joey Barton – will need to get used to the hostility
Kevin said yesterday:
“We decided to put Joey on because what you saw against Arsenal was all I’ve got fit at the moment,” “There wasn’t any other reason, he’s fit and he has to play at some point.”
“He went on for five minutes and did well. When I looked at my bench he was the best player to go on and if I didn’t do that I wouldn’t be doing my job properly.”
“Joey has got to get used to the stick he is going to receive and he’s got to win through that.”
“I don’t know what the French players think about Joey, you’d have to ask the French players. I saw what Nasri said about not signing for Newcastle (because of Joey) but I’m not going to say anything to them.”
Many observers thought Barton’s tackle on Nasri, just moments after coming on was rather reckless, but manager Keegan disagreed with that assessment. However, Barton will get this kind of treatment in almost every single game he plays this season, and he will need to get used to it – quickly.
Kevin added:
“You’ve got to be able to tackle in the game of football. Someone said Joey’s tackle was reckless, but it was a good tackle, it’s unfair to say anything different. That’s his game.”
It’s interesting that Nasri said he wouldn’t sign for Newcastle because of Barton. He would have been a great signing for us, but whether we could have got him even if Barton wasn’t here, when Arsenal were also interested, is very debatable – we don’t think so.
Comments welcome.
320 comments so far
51times
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Comment #1Who cares what some French midget says? We always knew Barton was going to be a problem when getting some players in anyway.
Toon Jonas
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Comment #2Nasri is a f*ckin P*ssy.
HeronMag
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Comment #3Why don’t my comments appear on here?!?
Nasri would’ve went to Arsenal anyway
JMC
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Comment #4we dont need the donkey face anyway…
today will change the outlook for most of us so lets keep the optimism high lads!!!
Come on Kev, show us what u’ve got lined up!!
Edd Case
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:15 AM
Comment #5I dont care what Nasri says. Good player but we got Spidey instead – I’d much rather have Spidey.
I bet there’s a fair few managers in the Prem who’d prefer to have Spidey in their team – signing of the summer so far.
StevieA
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Comment #6Yeah well Nasri won’t have to worry about british thugs at Arsenal will he? I could count the british players on one hand, or probably 3 fingers.
They have no chance of winning the premier league anyway. They only play when they want to play and are not consistent enough over a season, much like Liverpool.
Tom
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Comment #7He is a good player, but if he doesn’t want to play with us because of Joey then we’re better off without him.
51times
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Comment #8Like I said yesterday, Arsenal have a lightweight midfield full of puffs, they won’t win a single trophy.
Tom4Nufc
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Comment #9One word…. DOOSH! Nasri is canny like, but he has let himself down by saying that… big time
RobB
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Comment #10I wish we’d got rid of Barton. We could do without all the distraction. This is going to run all season and split the fans.
keeeguuurn
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Comment #11that sounds like rubbish.
would a player really turn down a team because someone on the squad has done some crazy things in the past. It sounds like more people trying to add more pressure.
This country has a sick tendency to pick on people in trouble.
The tackle was fair and if it was the other way round there would have been cheering and probably some sniggering from the commentators. People are furious that he smiled after the challenge … he was probably trying to show the crowd were not getting to him. NUFC should be paying a shrink to help the guy with his anger and to get him through the coming months.
nick
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Comment #12I think we are being very naive if we thing Nasri is the only one who wouldn’t come because of Barton.
Barton is a total scumbag and I can’t beleive he is still at the club.
2nd chance – do me a favour !!! Barton is a serial nutter and sums up Allardyce’s judgement to a tee !!
nick
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:24 AM
Comment #13Poor little Joey being picked on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It beggars belief as he pockets his 60K a week for 2 minutes worth.
Toon Jonas
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:24 AM
Comment #14Nasri the french donkey face.
Martin
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Comment #15Surely Nasri didn’t sign for us because Arsenal were after him…Like saying someone wouldn’t play for Plymouth because of that goal keeper involved in the car accident – so instead they sign for Man United…
Toon 85
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Comment #16Did silvestre not want to join us because of barton? After the dabo incident, alot of french players will think twice. Great clean tackle by barton btw
51times
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Comment #17nick – Get behind Barton or get out. The club can’t afford the fans being split.
ToonKing
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Comment #18maybe Nasri will now learn how proper football is played……pussy….hope Joey get’s him again next time.
Toon Chicken
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Comment #19Having Barton in the toon must have an affect on other squad members, not just prospective signings.
I don’t believe for one second that Joey’s actions and his previous hasn’t had a negative impact on players like Charles N’Zogbia.
RobB
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:33 AM
Comment #2051 – if you’re going to say that to all the fans who wanted rid of Barton, the club would be without half its fans. I suspect its the kids and thugs who support him.
ToonKing
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:33 AM
Comment #21and not coming to Newcastle cause of Barton is a load of tripe.
imagine this conversation……..
KK: well X.Y we think your a great player and wanna bring you to Newcastle.
X.Y. : well i don’t know gaffer….you have this guy….Barton…i’m afraid he might beat me up….
KK: well…true….but we offer you 70k/week….
X.Y. : Pass the ball Joey mate!!! wanna have a pint after practice??
nufc supporter
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Comment #22nasri is obviously makin this up
hitman
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Comment #23a few players have knocked us back through barton…anyone now if this stricker xicsco is any good
Toon Chicken
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:35 AM
Comment #2451 times – it should be Barton who leaves, not the fans. We were here first.
At the end of the day… No Fans – No NUFC. No Joey Barton – Happy Days!
I’m sick of being told by people like you that we should support that filthy vile scumbag just because he wears black and white. In my eyes the black and white and the respect that goes with it is a privilege, not a right. I support NUFC, not JB.
SuperShearer
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Comment #25Barton’s got to prove everyone wrong this season. The tackle was fair, and to his credit when Nasri then hacked him down he responded with a cheeky smile. The problem is that he should try and just put his head down and get on with it. KK stood by him because football has a habit of turning its back on its players, just look at Gazza. As Newcastle fans I truly think we should back KK and therefore back Barton, for all they may boo we should cheer.
Phil
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Comment #2651times- you cant tell someone to stop supporting the club because they don’t like having a thug like barton in the team.
he is going to cause so much trouble and bad publicity this season and that never mind the moral implications of keeping him should have been enough to get rid of him.
51times
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Comment #27RobB – You are clearly a typical ignorant little Englander. So what if Barton has been given chances before? If they’re not given any help to change their behaviour, why do you expect them to put the trouble behind them?
Bobby Ollox
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Comment #28lol ToonKing – of course that doesnt apply to Newcastle, where all our inbound players, are joining for the honour of playing for NUFC – the money offered is entirely immaterial – right Michael ?
Dev
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Comment #29Nasri is a little shit bag on the pitch and have you seen the face on him? He thinks he’s rock solid!
RobB
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Comment #3051 he’s had enough chances. I made the point yesterday that his smug smile showed he’d learned nothing. I’m with Toon Chicken on his point that I support NUFC nortJB. I certainly won’t boo, but I doubt if I’ll cheer either. (Unless he scores and I get caught up in the moment!)
Dev
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:41 AM
Comment #31Super Shearer, actualy Bartons cheeky grin came after he had just floored Nasri…..when Nasri tripped him up Barton was rolling about the pitch lol.
But coming onin his first game back, florring someone and smiling at them is hardly the right way forward even if he did take the ball first…..he still could have easily broke Nasri’s neck with the force of the tackle lol.
Imagine if he had have been late and broke Nasri’s leg……that would have been the end for Joey Barton so he needs to watch himself.
kenny g
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:41 AM
Comment #32to be perfectly honest, the fewer frenchmen near our team the better.
Argentyne all the way…
Kaizer Soze
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Comment #33Barton is a marked man now, not just by the french, but by other idiots in the game.
The problem with the french they all come across as whiter than white and have this national comraderie.
Soon as the national team get knocked out of a tournament they start slagging each other off.
If the england players were anything like that, there wouldnt be a frenchman playing at all in the EPL.
Remember Basile Boli vicious assault on Stuart Pearce??
That was in front of millions and most of the England team spotted it.
The french are so far up themselves they have to take their hats off to take a sh*t!!
I hope JB, gets over his troubles becomes a model pro and scores a hat trick against the frog laden gunners at st james’!!
sirjasontoon
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Comment #34Nasri will be punished when we play at our place…Joey is going to come back strong and with a big point to prove.
If he wears the Toon shirt I am on his side.
51times
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Comment #35Listen to you all talking about bad publicity. The media and England hate us anyway, Barton just gives them an easier excuse.
Kaizer Soze
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Comment #36Dev???
He could have broke Nasri’s neck with the force of the tackle……….
You tit!!!
ANDYGLOSTOON
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Comment #37nASRI DIDN’T SIGN BECAUSE ARSENAL WANTED HIM SIMPLE
ronaldeano
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Comment #38Nasri realy needs to brush his teeth, they are minging. I bet his breath stinks also, of garlic! 🙂
TOONey toons
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Comment #39nasri look damn retarted that day.
Born Again Geordie
Sep 1, 2008 at 9:46 AM
Comment #40What exactly was wrong with the tackle – he got the ball did he not ???? Is that not the idea of making a tackle ??? sirjason – well said !!!!!