The Battle Of Barton

Everyone knows the way but very few walk it… was the strapline attached to Joey Barton’s Twitter account last week.

It’s fitting that on the same day that everyone involved with Newcastle United Football Club could celebrate a successful season, ex-Magpie Barton had what would be the most shameful day in the life of every professional footballer other than he himself.

Although I have dedicated some page space to the unworthy Scouser in a blog that at this time of year should be 100% about NUFC, I must tell you I found it very difficult not to highlight this latest episode in his self-starring series of comedy gold.

To paint just a small picture of what happened on the closing day of the season, Mr. Barton took to a physical off-the-ball tussle with the equally loved Carlos Tevez in a fixture which would ultimately determine the league title for Manchester City and/or relegation for Queens Park Rangers.

This led to the QPR captain retaliating in typical fashion with the execution of a high elbow smash into the face of the Argentinean.

The MCFC man fell to the floor before referee Mike Dean went straight for his back pocket brandishing the shiniest of red cards for Barton, who then blew a head gasket by kneeing the disgruntled Sergio Aguero to the deck and pressing the self destruct button by trying to head butt Vincent Kompany on his drawn out exit from the field.

Brilliant scenes were to commence as the ever-reliable Mario Balotelli flew off the substitutes bench to confront his ‘Village Idiot’ title contender but muscle man Micah Richards continued his Joey frog march down the tunnel to prevent a sight for sore eyes.

The above led to @joey7barton publically attacking Alan Shearer following his nothing more than expected comments on Match of the Day which provoked a tweeted defence delivered by Gary Lineker who was later labeled by Barton as an ‘odious toad’.

Just to clarify AS9 has a Premier League winner’s medal, 260 PL goals and an OBE. Joey Barton has a Twitter account, dodgy hair cut and record of imprisonment.

End of chapter.

Tevez, Torres, Iniesta and 'Campbell?'

Carlos Tevez, Fernando Torres, Andres Iniesta and Adam Campbell - a roll call of winners for the Most Valuable Player award at the Nike Premier Cup Tournament.

The U16 competition sees clubs and starlets from all over the world battle it out to lift the prestigious trophy with last summer seeing Newcastle United join Manchester United as the English representatives.

Although the young Magpies were seen off in a penalty shoot-out by Chilean outfit Colo Colo, there were some definite positives for the Geordies to take back to the North East with them.

Adam Campbell

Some may be wondering whether ‘Adam Campbell’ was a typo in the top line but I can confirm that the flame-haired forward did pick up the honour in 2011 along with the campaign’s golden boot sitting in his kitbag too.

There was little positivity to be seen in my previous blog around the club’s striking ranks but I think the just-turned 16 year-old provides everybody with food thought.

He becomes yet another name that the famous Wallsend Boys’ Club can boast amongst their case studies, a list which already includes Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Steve Bruce, Michael Carrick, Lee Clark, Michael Bridges and Steve Watson.

Although the youngster is yet to feature for the first team, he turned out for the reserves last term and has continued to perform well for the stiffs this season.

I was witness to him play thirty minutes against Bolton Wanderers reserves last February and my first thoughts were ‘Who’s that 12 year-old with the baggy shorts hanging over his kneecaps?’

I was left eating my words in admiration after seeing the below:

• Good ball retention.
• Displayed a low centre of gravity.
• Operated in a ‘behind the striker’ position.
• Stealth-like movement in some dangerous areas.
• Made some tidy touches without prolonging his possession.
• Scored with an assertive side footed finish into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

I believe the North Shields-born hopeful could have a great future ahead of him, providing he doesn’t forget what’s got him to where he is now and he receives the right advice from the right personnel with the right motives.

An exciting prospect who will hopefully follow suit of the other engraved names on the MVP trophy.