Barton was a crucial player for Newcastle United again yesterday at the DW Stadium.
Joey Barton – another top class game for Newcastle yesterday
Barton ran the game for Newcastle from his free kicks and corners, and set up chances for Ameobi, Taylor and Coloccini from his pin-point crosses, the first one after just two minutes which Ameobi should really have headed home..
And both center-backs hit the cross bar with their headers, otherwise the score would have been a lot more emphatic than just 1-0.
And new manager Alan Pardew has admitted he has become an instant fan of the player, who seems to have as much influence off the field as he does on it.
Pardew talked about Joey:
“Since I’ve been here. He’s been excellent, not just on the pitch but off it too.”
“I take people as I find them and in this vein of form he could be Newcastle’s player of the year.”
Barton was involved near the end after he put in a dangerous tackle on Wigan’s James McArthur, but he only received a yellow card, but there were concerns it could have been a red.
But Pardew thinks it was a yellow card and the referee Howard Webb, who had another good game, sensibly didn’t show Joey a red card for the tackle. Phew!!
Pardew continued:
“It was a tough challenge, a typical Joey challenge. I didn’t think there was anything malicious in it.”
“I thought the yellow card was the correct decision. He’s aware he carries that baggage from earlier in his career.”
“But you’re talking about a guy who’s nothing but professional.”
Newcastle asked most of the questions in the first half in the game yesterday, and should have been more than just one up at the half.
But in the second half Newcastle contained Wigan rather easily, and the Latics created very little of note and Newcastle looked comfortable at the back
The Newcastle defense were hardly stretched at all, and recorded their 5th clean sheet of the season, with Steve Harper looking solid back in the Newcatsle United goal.
Now the only thing that is important is that the lads beat West Ham at home on Wednesday night.
Howay the Lads!!
Comments welcome.
20 comments so far
GeordieGerman
Jan 3, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Comment #1Barton’s corner to Colo was fantastic, pity it didn’t go in.
Stuart
Jan 3, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Comment #2‘Barton ran the game for Newcastle from his free kicks and corners, and set up chances for Ameobi, Taylor and Coloccini from his pin-point crosses, the first one after just two minutes which Ameobi should really have headed home..’
Pretty sure Simpson put that cross in like
geoff777
Jan 3, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Comment #3Joey did really well yesterday after a poor performance against Spurs.
He’s running midfield for us, I hope his contract is extended.
Almost all our goals and goal attempts are coming from assists by Barton.
HWTL – 3 points against West Ham will restore that points gap we had above the relegation zone.
StevieGee
Jan 3, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Comment #4Hey Ed,
Danny Simpson put that cross in for Shola’s chance in the first minute. I watched it about 7 times on Sky Sports. It was Danny Simpson!!!
Barton played well today but Simpson made that first cross….
jasonbourne
Jan 3, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Comment #5If someone said to me to years ago that Harper, Barton, Nolan, Enrique and Carroll would be the most important players in our squad, I probably say: Are you having a laugh. They are now drawing attention to them from other clubs for the right reason, called football.
This also show what a great job Chris Hughton did with these players. Newcastle are certainly in the right direction, as I hope people saw against Wigan. Newcastle lack of creativity, will be better with a player like HBA.
But like my “friend” who is a Arsenal supporter said: I’ve haven’t seen Newcastle play so good TEAM football in a long time. They’re not afraid to keep the ball in the team, and can play really high class football with speed along the flanks. If that team get a bit more consistency, they would easily go up among the seven best team in the PL. I have to agree with him.
Selbymag
Jan 3, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Comment #6He knows the fans love him.
Last man on the pitch yesterday and threw his shirt to the fans.
My man of the match yesterday and along with Tiote, Enrique and Carroll he is irreplaceable at this moment in time.
Charlietoon
Jan 3, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Comment #7When Barton played poorly against Tottenham the whole team suffered. Heads went down after every free kick and corner. Against Wigan there was a sense that we could score at any moment. We need to sign him up sooner rather than later
Spuggy
Jan 3, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #8Barton is a great player for us, but he the fact the excellent Tiote is beside him unshackles him to move forward at will.
Tiote is a massive part of Joey’s success, and other forward players like Nolan TBH.
Hope we can bring a couple of quality players in…..winger and forward. But would be happy with one, and not devastated with none, especially with the good run of injuries we’re currently enjoying (Carroll aside), Gosling back soon, Taylor playing well and is a greater goal threat than willo. Arfa on his way back in Feb/March too hopefully.
It’s a tricky window and best players should be bought in the summer.
rab
Jan 3, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Comment #9It only seems a couple of years ago when a certain Mr Dyer and Bellamy both refused to play out of position for SBR on the right side of midfield. Bartons not only playing well, but is out of position and playing his heart out for the team.
Well played Joey
balubas1
Jan 3, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Comment #10Barton is insanely important for us.
I’m actually glad he has such a poor reputation as he would be snatched by a “bigger” club.
If he hadn’t been such a bully, we would never have got him anyways!!
So Barton: Please stay bad;)
Barton: Toon Legend in the making
leedodd
Jan 3, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Comment #11The Thing Is Joey is Now Loved By The Fans – If he Moves On It will Take Him Ages To Settle In again etc . Why Move when he is Loved at Newcastle – See him come down to Take a corner at The Leazes end its more like he has scored than taking a corner. If we can get HBA for 5 years and Steven Taylor and Big Andy I am sure Alan Pardew can sign up Joey until he is 33 !!!!!!!
lou9brasil
Jan 3, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Comment #12Barton is class and if he didn’t have previous he would probably be worth between 15-20 mill… Any way if we beat westham on Wednesday we should only need 12 more points from a possible 51 and safety should be guaranteed, looking at our fixtures I have us picking up between 20 – 26 points ( biased I know but hey glass is half full)!!!
Spuggy
Jan 3, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Comment #13no guarentee with 12 more points in this league, it is very different, minnows keep picking up points from the big teams.
We can’t rest on our laurels.
bentoon
Jan 3, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Comment #14Anyone else feel abit more comfy with Harps in goal yesterday? Krul has been really good for us but everytime i saw harper he was screaming orders at the back 4 and keeping them rallyed up. This is where his experience pays off and i think his guidance is a reason why we were so solid in defence yesterday.
jasonbourne
Jan 3, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Comment #15If you go over 40 points you are clear, and I think Newcastle will.
Cockney Magpie
Jan 3, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Comment #16Is joey banned for the next game or do they get a clean slate in the new year?
obaflamey
Jan 3, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Comment #17Looks like Best might be staying…http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/01/03/why-would-i-sell-leon-best-asks-toon-boss-72703-27924782/?
lou9brasil
Jan 3, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Comment #18Yellow cards were reset on 01.01.11
garside090909
Jan 3, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Comment #19barton is pure class, i knew we’d end up reaping the rewards if we stuck with him. opposition fans always have negative things to say about him e.g. thrown out of football, locked away for life but most of them could only dream of having a player of bartons quality in their side and this is their way of expressing a bit of jealousy. like someone mentioned earlier, easily a 20 mil player without the baggage. joeys a far better allround player than milner
Nojdani
Jan 3, 2011 at 3:29 PM
Comment #20one of his many brilliant performances this season and the best is yet to come.