Keegan: Barton Is Different To Any Other Player
By Tyne-Talk
March 15 2008
Joey Barton, Newcastle United's 25 year old midfielder will once again be available to start this weekend, after missing out in the 3 -0 defeat inflicted on the side last weekend. Joey will be pleased to know that whilst many of the general public and footballers alike have litte sympathy for his problems off the pitch, his manager has complete faith in his ability to do his job on the field.
Manager Kevin Keegan said the following:
"I think that Joey is dealing with events off-field very well, to be honest, It's not easy and there are a lot of restrictions upon him, which he understands and we understand, but considering it all I think he has coped with it fantastically.
We speak to him every day, as we do with all the players. He's there a lot longer than the other players because, once he leaves the training ground, he's got to go back to his flat and he's got to stay in there. So he tends to spend longer at the training ground doing extra bits of training and filling in time, as you would expect, because it's better to be at the training ground around people than it is to be stuck on his own around his apartment.
But I think that he is pretty focused and, considering all that has gone on, he seems to be okay with that. It's how he handles it that matters and then we can help him a lot, which we are."
Keegan who took Joey from the Manchester City Academy into the first team at the club still believes the feisty midfielder, who he has since been reunited with, has the ability on the pitch:
"Every player we've got is valuable because we're a small squad. He's got something to offer. He's different to any other player that we've got and, in that respect, he's important.
It's not been ideal that he has been in and out of the side, but I knew when I came here that, because of the bail conditions, that would happen. He wouldn't be able to play in Liverpool against Liverpool or Everton so I knew that. I also knew that when I first came he was actually living down south.
That's the thing. You've got to understand that because of what happened certain things have to take precedence over his football career, but I am delighted to have him back in contention for the Birmingham game."
Barton is currently facing 2 trials of Assault for seperate incidents, over the next six month. As a result of bail conditions Barton is not allowed into Liverpool City Centre which saw him miss Newcastle's trip to Anfield last weekend and will see him miss Newcastle's last game of the season against Everton.
Keegan spoke ahead of Monday's match against Birmingham:
"He [Barton] is a player who, a little bit like Mark Viduka, gives us something we haven't otherwise got. With the small squad we have, we need everybody fit and trying to get into the side and making the competition tough.
I am delighted to have him back. You are always looking at ways you think you can improve a side. There will certainly be the odd change because we have gone too many games without winning.
When you don't win games, invariably as a manager, you make little changes.
They won't be major, but yes, we will definitely be seeing a different side to the one which played at Liverpool."
Has he thought about cage fighting instead?
Quote:Rodders™...
Its the tag on his ankle that is slowing him down.
i think its the tag of 'playing for a big club' thats causing him problems. hahahaha, 'big club'.
Quote:FFS, he makes it sound like he's going back to the gulag every night.KK
He's there a lot longer than the other players because, once he leaves the training ground, he's got to go back to his flat and he's got to stay in there.
I'll bet Barton's flat has a few more amenities than mine.
Well they say you are what ya eat.... Better call me 'mother' then rude boy..!
Still not convinced this was 6M well spent.
The Eastenders of football.. Newcastle!
Rozehnal is gone. He would have been sold in January but we couldn't agree a fee with Lazio before the window closed.
Smith should be sold to a championship side in the Summer. Do the entire PL a favor.
In £ thats £4.9mill!
The Eastenders of football.. Newcastle!