By Tyne-Talk
December 13 2010

Joey Barton has marked the end of a "not-so-memorable" week by talking about it to the Gazette. After dedicating his Man of the Match performance to former manager Chris Hughton he gave a frank interview in which he made it clear the players were told to concentrate on what was best for the club as they stepped out at St James' Park on Saturday evening;

He said;

"It was a memorable day at the end of a not-so-memorable week, It's been difficult, but, thankfully, the spirit in that dressing room is unbreakable, and we showed that again in abundance.

We knew the fans were showing discontent, and they have every right to at how the football club is being run.

But the dressing room's eager to stick together, because it's about us. We're ultimately the most important people at this football club.

We knew the onus would fall on us. We showed our togetherness out there, and put in a great performance.

They were missing Carragher and Gerrard, who are two big players for them. Fortunately, we played them when they were without them.

We went to West Brom without five players, and we got a result against Chelsea without four or five. That's the way this league is.

If you're squad, sometimes you have to dig a result out, and in the last few games we haven't been able to get our top players on the pitch as often as we would like."

Barton who was due to return to action against West Brom, but picked up an injury added;

"It wasn't the injury that had kept me out of the West Brom game, I actually picked up a thigh injury in training.

Hopefully, the groin injury drops out. The thigh isn't so serious, it's just hindering me a bit.

It got no worse. I just want to do a job for the team, and it was important to get back, and get Nobby (Nolan) back too. We need all hands on deck."

Barton said of his goal during the 3-1 win against Liverpool on Saturday continued;

"It's one where if you have half a chance, you go for it. If the keeper clatters you – he clatters you.

Sometimes you have to go in with the muck and bullets and put yourself there to score goals. Thankfully, the ball dropped nicely and it went in."

Barton: "A Not-So-Memorable Week"

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 13/12/2010 19:10

TyneTalk
13/12/2010 19:10

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OnTheLevee
14/12/2010 07:00

I completely agree with Joey.

However, I wouldn't imagine openly criticising the boss (ie. Ashley) is good for his future.

Although he's not a silly boy so he probably knows exactly what he is doing.

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tunyc
14/12/2010 18:31

Don't know that he's ever been one to pull punches, though...

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OnTheLevee
15/12/2010 02:48

There's some talk of him being sold to West Ham if they up their bid to 5 mill.

Surely Ashley is not going to sell our most important midfielder just when he has started to look the player we all knew he could be.

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tunyc
15/12/2010 17:00

Given Ashley's fickle nature, you never know. Which must terrify Joey, considering he's being linked with nailed-on relegation candidates. This better not happen-it already burns me up to see Scotty Parker playing for that s.hite side.

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TOONTILLIDIE
17/12/2010 20:00

I am not to sure that he would go to the Hammers, if a bid was accepted in Jan, as they are looking like they are going down

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