Probably the one player we are worried about since Alan Pardew arrived is Joey Barton.
Big boys at Newcastle, Barton and Nolan after Joey scored
Joey is combustible, although he has been tremendous for Newcastle since he returned from injury earlier this year, and was Man of the Match on Saturday and scored a great goal, which showed the courage you have to have in the Premier League to score goals.
Balotelli of Man City wouldn’t have gone anywhere near that ball – because another opposing player may have touched him – he thinks he’s playing basketball.
Not Joey Barton, who went for the ball and got really smacked by Glen Johnson – if he had missed would Newcastle have been given a penalty for Johnson’s challenge?
But it seems like Joey is willing to work with Alan Pardew – and that has to be good news – and we hope they can because we don’t want to see Joey leave before his contract is up in 18 months.
Joey said this today:
“We don’t know the reasons behind Chris leaving,” “We were told it was to push the club onto the next level and a lot of us questioned Alan’s appointment. “
“We told him what we said – none of us would say anything behind your back that we wouldn’t say to your face.”
“We said, ‘We’re disappointed about Chris going, he was held in such affection because he’s a good footballing guy. But as long as you’re open and honest with us we’ll have no problems.”
“Alan’s not tried to rock the boat. He’s said, ‘Look, stick to what you do best’. He’s seen us from afar, knew what kind of team we were and what we’re about and he’s not changed anything massively.”
“It’s been a few minor tweaks.”
“There’s a lot of stories going round about our dressing room and a backlash but we care too much about each other to act with anything other than professional.”
“It’s not Alan’s fault Chris got sacked.”
“The board decided to do what they decided to do, but the game was already revved up without Chrissie losing his job. It’s just nice hearing the fans appreciate how much he’s missed.”
“It’s a cruel game, football. You think you’re the most important person in the world and we all like to think we’re vital to football clubs, but the game just moves on without you. When you’re gone, you’re gone – ships in the night.
“The most important part of the whole process is the club and this will be here long after we’ve finished playing.”
Those are good words from Joey Barton – to be sure.
And that’s one reason we feel a lot better this morning than we did last Monday, because it seems the Newcastle players are committed to the Newcastle United club and its great fans, than to anybody else.
The players don’t have to worship the manager – and certainly not the owner and his friend who is the Managing Director, but has never been in the game before and it shows.
No, Joey is right to say this club will be there long after Ashley has gone, and of course after Chris was so stupidly dismissed.
And who knows, Alan Pardew may even do a decent job – and he now knows he’s in the best job he will ever have in his life, and if Alan can learn form his previous mistakes in management – who knows?
We are hoping Alan will be as much a surprise for this management skills as was Chris Hughton has been in the last 16 months.
If he can do that then Newcastle United will be on their way back to the big time.
Comments welcome.
9 comments so far
john_cena163
Dec 13, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Comment #1http://www.sportingo.com/football/a17034_arsenal-everton-transfer-hunt-newcastle-star. HOPE S.TAYLOR DOESNT LEAVe. HE IS CLASS
North Atlantic Magpie
Dec 13, 2010 at 11:33 AM
Comment #2I hope S. Taylor leaves. He’s too clumsy for my liking.
RichK
Dec 13, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Comment #3john-cena163 do we have another S.Taylor at Newcastle that only you know about? because “class” isn’t a word I’d use to describe Steven Taylor, I agree with North Atlantic Mag that he’s a little clumsy and prone to simple errors very much like Bramble was. However, I would keep him in the team over Campbell who is well past his best!
RichK
Dec 13, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Comment #4In terms of this story…..I’m pleased to hear that the players have accepted Alan and are prepared to knuckle down and get on with the job and I really hope that Alan can produce what CH never could which is consistency, starting with Birmingham next Saturday.
Toonboy_84
Dec 13, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Comment #5Hope the FA don’t take action against Joey.
Apparently JB was questioning Torres sexuality. That’s what I read in one of the Sunday papers.
JP...from The Rock
Dec 13, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Comment #6Consistency is the key. If Pardew can achieve that then he will have earned a few plus points in my book.
Davies
Dec 13, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Comment #7On the wages these lads are on I’d expect nothing short of professionalism.
It was a bad week finished by a good result. Keep it up lads.
baz65
Dec 13, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Comment #8@Toon boy I dont think the FA will bother as it was only words. Infact Torres was having a right go at Barton after he played on after the whistle went and Barton replied that you dont have the balls to do anything. I think it it vital that Barton continues to look after himself and not be bullied. If he can get back to how he was before the suspension(discipline wise) he might well end up as our player of the season
john_cena163
Dec 13, 2010 at 1:26 PM
Comment #9Watevea u say, but for me S.TAYLOR IS WORLD CLASS.