Keegan Backs Barton's Imminent Return

Not much choice for KK to support him really as the club doesn't look to be bringing in much help and he'll need all the players he's got, even the thugs who should be in jail, NOT playing Premier League football.

It just shows how desperate we are for players

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Let's hope he badly want's to repay KK for his support. According to reports he has kept up his fitness levels so shouldn't be completely naff.

Barton will ruin his so called "second" chance by the end of the new season, I'm sure of it.

He doesn't deserve to be playing premier league football, and not for this club.

You're absolutely right, AC. His signing with NUFC was supposed to be his second chance. He will screw up again. Why wouldn't he? He's never had to face any real consequences for anything he's done.

This is ridiculous, and a sign that we can't necessarily expect anyone else to be brought in before the season.

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Rehabilitation or punishment, its a simple equation but at what price.

The thing is UK prsions are built on rehabilitation and are a form of punishment.

The question is has Barton served the sentance he was convicted of? even though you might disagree with the time off for good behaviour, so he has been punished!

If we dont believe in rehabilitation there are a lot worse criminals out in society than Barton.

If he scores against Man U on the first day, how many will not cheer, how many wont jump up and down,

Do I like him, not really, do I believe that everyone should have a chance of rehabilitation Yes, and I hope he takes this amazing chance he has.

I am old enough to remember Drunken Duncan who assaulted someone and Tony Adams etc arrested for drink driving, there are a whole team of international players charged with various offences, Just think of Tino with his shooting up of police cars and his alleged links to big time crime etc, and dont we just love him.......

I think he'll take this chance and work his b0llocks off.

If he doesn't then he's an absolute muppet.


To be fair fans were getting behind him when he was playing good football towards the end of the season....and at that point he had already commmited the crimes.

The only thing thats changed between then and now is that he's been put away. If anything he'll be even more determined as he's had a little "scare"

We could see the best of him in a Newcastle shirt...why cut off our nose to spite our face?

If we release him he'll only join someone else and probably do a really good job for them.

This really really is his last chance though.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:07:28:20:53:59 by Joe.

I don't doubt he works hard. I don't doubt that he does and will take football seriously.

I do indeed doubt that he's going to pass on all the rest of the chances he'll have throughout his career and life to make a stupid decision. Especially when alcohol enters the equation. I hope I'm wrong.

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Like anyone under rehab, risk is an issue, but he is worth the risk as Joe said end of last year he was playing well with Keegan bringing the best out of him. By showing faith in him it maybe what he needs. Everyone needs trust placed in them, its up to him to deliver not just with his football, but mainly with keeping his nose clean.

One other major factor will be other teams fans winding him up and other teams coaches and players targeting him on the field with what the cricketers call sledging, except with him the race card will be played with what happened with Dabo as well, but no-one booed Woodgate did we or didnt celebrate when Bowyer scored. Both incidents involved people who are black, but were the incidents racist?

I am not sure if he can take that but it will happen and repeatedly over the next year. I for one hope he makes it and does well.

Teams will try to wind him up. If I were facing him, I would. He needs to learn to control himself-the pitch may be a good place for him to learn about that. I won't not support him but, again, I'd be lying if I told you I don't think he'll f00k up again.

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