Barton gets the chance of fresh start at Newcastle

[Jimbo 175]

Sam Allardyce did not shy away from recruiting players with questionable reputations during his time in charge of Bolton Wanderers and evidently he will not be afraid to do the same at Newcastle United, having lined up Joey Barton as his first signing since taking charge at St James’ Park three weeks ago.

 

A formal bid to Manchester City is expected today, with the likelihood that the controversial midfield player will jump at the opportunity to fill the void left by Scott Parker’s £8.5 million transfer to West Ham United.

 

West Ham registered an interest in Barton over the weekend as a fall-back option in case the Parker deal did not go through, but the Newcastle player is understood to have agreed personal terms last night, with a medical examination scheduled today.

 

Newcastle are expected to make City a formal offer in the region of £5 million for Barton today, but no obstacles are foreseen, with the midfield player eager to move to Tyneside after an unhappy and controversial end to his career at the City of Manchester Stadium

 

Barton won his first England cap as a substitute in the friendly match against Spain in February, but his excellent form for much of the season was overshadowed by problems off the pitch.

 

He was arrested in March on suspicion of criminal assault and criminal damage after an alleged argument with a taxi driver in Liverpool, while his City career was effectively ended by a training-ground incident on May 1, when he was alleged to have assaulted Ousmane Dabo, one of his teammates, during a practice match.

 

City instantly suspended Barton, 24, for the remainder of the season and unofficially made him available for transfer, while Dabo requested that Greater Manchester Police press charges against him.

 

Having also clashed off the pitch with Richard Dunne, the City captain, and Jamie Tandy, a former reserve-team player, Barton is widely viewed as a player with “baggage”, but Allardyce is clearly more concerned with his ability and attitude on the pitch, which include an insatiable desire for self-improvement.

 

Since his suspension by City, which extended to being banned from the training ground, Barton is said to have put himself through a punishing fitness regime as he prepares to make the most of any second opportunity afforded to him elsewhere.

 

Everton were the early favourites to sign Barton, having attempted to buy him in January, while there was also interest from Celtic and Sunderland.

 

Barton is eager to use any transfer to relaunch a career that is in danger of being overshadowed by negative publicity. “It is disappointing that people have a certain opinion of me,” he said in an interview on Saturday, “but I meet countless people who, in all aspects of my life, will testify: ‘You’re not the person you’re made out to be’.

 

“At certain times I don’t do myself any favours with incidents, but to make out I’m some kind of yob, some kind of psychopath for want of a better word, is so far from the truth it’s unreal.”

 

Parker has had two successful seasons with Newcastle, the second as captain, but he was attracted by the idea of returning to his native London and becoming the first of what Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, hopes will be several eye-catching summer signings. Curbishley, who previously managed Parker at Charlton Athletic, also has a strong interest in Tim Cahill and Andrew Johnson, the Everton pair.

[Dr Gloom 22507]

barton v bowyer would probably be a decent fight to watch

[ewerk 31580]

Fuck off Joey, I don't want you here.

[sammynb 3640]

What happens if wist ham gets relegated?

[Noelie 103]

 

 

What happens if wist ham gets relegated?

 

Eh!

[sammynb 3640]

 

 

What happens if wist ham gets relegated?

 

Eh!

Blades confident of reinstatement

Blades confident of reinstatement

Sheffield United plc chairman Kevin McCabe is confident the club will be reinstated to the Premiership.

An arbitration panel on 18 June will hear the Blades' claim against the Premier League's failure to dock West Ham points over the Carlos Tevez saga.

 

"I firmly believe we will win and the previous decision will be overturned," McCabe told BBC Five Live Sport.

 

"Officials have said that if the arbitration overturns the previous decision then we should be reinstated."

 

The Blades are challenging a decision to fine West Ham rather than dock them points and cancel striker Tevez's registration.

 

The Premier League had initially told Sheffield United, who were relegated on the last day of the season, that they were wasting their time and money.

 

But McCabe claims officials have since told the club they will regain their top-flight status if their claim is successful.

 

Asked about what that would mean to West Ham, who stayed up in 15th place while Sheffield United were relegated on goal difference after finishing on the same number of points as 17th-placed Wigan, he said: "That's conjecture. That's not my issue, that is one that has to rest firmly with the Premier League.

 

"Our dispute is with the Premier League."

 

The Blades chief said having an extra team in the Premiership was a possibility.

 

He added: "It seems a simple way of sorting things out but again that is really for the board of the Premier League to decide and opine upon."

 

The issue has dragged on since March when the Hammers were charged by the Premier League with breaching rules in relation to the signings of Argentine duo Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

 

Tevez and Mascherano, who has since left for Liverpool, joined the club in August but their registration with third party Media Sports Investment broke regulations.

 

West Ham were found guilty of acting improperly and withholding vital documentation over the duo's ownership but they escaped a points deduction and Tevez was allowed to continue playing.

 

He was one of the major factors in the club's late escape from the drop but the Blades have vowed to fight the Premier League's decision.

 

McCabe stated: "I think the Premier League accept they wish the arbitration was not happening.

 

"But in the knowledge it is happening and it cannot be prevented, then if the decision is overturned we should be reselected to the Premier League.

 

"Since we really looked into the whys and the wherefores of the Tevez affair it became apparent that a wrong decision was made.

 

"There were circumstances behind the wrong decision but we've looked at it and consulted with our lawyers and we're confident that the arbitration will overturn it.

 

"An injustice has been done - a club that played within the rules has been relegated and a club that breached the rules has been rewarded."

 

Actor and Sheffield United fan Sean Bean will lead a delegation to Parliament on 13 June - five days before the arbitration looks at the Blades' claim.

 

McCabe has not ruled out taking the matter further if the decision is not in their favour.

 

He said: "The arbitration is critical to our reinstatement to the Premier League. If there are other legal recourses they may be looked into but we're all working hard towards 18 and 19 of June."

 

Story from BBC SPORT:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2/hi...utd/6716185.stm

 

Published: 2007/06/03 09:35:21 GMT

 

© BBC MMVII

I doubt they are going to have 21 teams next season.

[peasepud 59]

“At certain times I don’t do myself any favours with incidents, but to make out I’m some kind of yob, some kind of psychopath for want of a better word, is so far from the truth it’s unreal.”

 

That would just be your brother then Joey

 

Im no fan of Barton off the field and frankly dont think hes the kind of person we need here at the moment as we've had more than our fair share of arseholes however putting that aside its refreshing to see us sign someone who is actually working on making themselves a better player.

[tinofbeans 91]

look at what allardyce did for diouf, he turned him from a player with an attitude problem to an effective forward (creator of goals not really scorer of goals).

 

i reckon he will and barton is on an improvement curve in terms of playing ability. long term if he does get into shit then i think we'll actually have a clause in his contract to stop him.... one thats actually legally binding, not one thats written on the back of a greggs bakery wrapper....