Barton Banking On Toon Return
By Tyne-Talk
January 5 2008
Its been a hell of a week for Joey Barton, who seems to be the only person to end it on a better note than they started. At the start of the week he must have seriously been contemplating whether he did indeed still have a role to play at St James' Park, yet he appears to be ending it asking when his next game will be.
In a somewhat shocking change of circumstances to the beginning of the week when Newcastle United FC stated that they were consulting their legal team over how to release Barton if he is found guilty, they now seem to addressing when he will next grace the pitch.
On Monday Big Sam claimed that Barton had "let me down" and that he felt that the whole ordeal had damaged his reputation for getting the best out of his troublesome players, he said:
"Yes, I feel let down by him, of course I do. There's no question about that, but I've got to deal with that quietly and privately when the opportunity arises.
I have spoken to him. But I'm not going to tell you what was said. I don't want to comment any more on the Joey Barton situation.
The Joey Barton thing is something we had to put behind us because we've got so many games in such a short period of time.
We'll deal with that later on and find out what the outcome is, when I get the opportunity, with the chairman.
It's disappointing, very, very disappointing."
Yesterday Sam confirmed that Barton, who if the tabloids are to be believed bribed his fellow inmates to keep them sweet, will not play this weekend against Stoke City, but that the club are looking into the midfielders eligibility:
"There may be a possibility, certainly not for the Stoke match, but after that, there might be the possibility.
We are doing our research into that with the lawyer and making absolutely certain that there are going to be no rules or regulations set that we might be breaking if we do attempt to get Joey back into the squad, and take it from there."
Joey Barton has at least apologised to manager Sam Allardyce since he was released and bailed to The Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire which treats sports persons for addiction, from Liverpool's Walton Prison where he was remanded on charges of Assault and Affray, though the fans are still waiting for theirs, though whether an apology is enough only time will tell.
Sam said:
"I've spoken to Joey today just to find out from his solicitors what can and can't be done from our point of view,
When we get all that information we'll see how we go in terms of starting training and when he might be available to be selected.
From speaking to him on the phone he's relieved he's out of the Walton holding place. From there on he has to really then concern himself about his case. From our point of view, it's about keeping him fit and ready to play if and when.
The timing could not have been any worse for us, I'm hugely disappointed, but when we get together face-to-face we can have a long conversation regarding the way forward. I would have thought I would speak to him in the next few days, probably after the Stoke game so I can focus on that clash."