Joey Barton – should anyone really be surprised?

Surely it was just a matter of time before he offended again

I don’t like Joey Barton. I don’t know him personally, but from what I’ve seen (which includes CCTV footage of him shamelessly battering an innocent kid) he is a seriously unpleasant individual.

I was not in the slightest bit surprised to see him punch Morten Gamst Pedersen during the week. My only mild astonishment was that it took this long for him to step out of line again. I think Henry Winter’s below article summarises it all quite nicely, although I’d prefer a little less praise of Gerrard, who I would hardly call a role model.

Some, I’m sure, will think Barton deserves further forgiveness. But how many times can you keep giving to someone who eternally throws it all back in your face?


Henry Winter: Joey Barton is a complex character who will always let you down

Joseph Anthony Barton was born on a charge. When the controversial, complicated and inherently unpleasant midfielder gets around to writing his autobiography, and he can start scribbling during an imminent suspension, he can fill many pages by pasting in the Football Association and police charge-sheets scarring his career.

Barton can even print the odd apology like Thursday’s in his book. He can colour in the rest.

Some soft souls will seek to elicit sympathy for the Merseysider, pointing to a difficult upbringing in Huyton, reminding everyone that this is a sensitive young man plagued with inner demons, notably a combustibility when alcohol encountered adrenalin in his system.

They will praise Barton for the way he has tackled such problems, finding help from the good counsel of the Sporting Chance clinic.

Some naive observers will seek to stress that Barton does actually have a brain, that he can be thoughtful company. Good try but no cigar (too dangerous when Barton’s about). All these mitigating factors are just feathers in the wind, blown away by the sheer overwhelming weight of evidence against Barton. Bad is bad.

For Newcastle fans, a frustration must exist with Barton: he has been playing well, demonstrating commendable tactical discipline by excelling out of position on the right of Chris Hughton’s midfield four. Now this. Now this FA charge for violent conduct for punching Blackburn’s Morten Gamst Pedersen on Wednesday. Maybe he should move in with Kevin Nolan, Landlord to the Likely Lads. But maybe not. Andy Carroll and Joey Barton under the same roof would be like Mr Nitro and Mr Glycerine getting together.

Barton apologised for his latest transgression, an act of contrition that signals some self-awareness. He has embarrassed Hughton, who has consistently backed him, and had Gallowgate squirming. Actually, it’s laughable to claim Barton has let anyone down. No one, surely, can have harboured any serious expectations of maturity lurking within a 28 year-old who never learns. Barton’s utterly consistent: he’ll always let you down.

Barton once had the temerity to criticise Steven Gerrard, ignoring that the Liverpool captain has won many friends and admirers since rising from the same tough Huyton streets as Barton. The wry humour inherent in Gerrard prompted him to sneak down a hotel corridor during England week and leave his autobiography outside Barton’s door. Read and learn.

Gerrard has made something of his life. Barton has just made a mess, albeit with a few quid on the side. Gerrard will be remembered for Istanbul and Cardiff, for a Champions League final and an FA Cup final. Barton will be remembered for brawls, cigar-stubbings, assaults and now a punch on an innocent Norwegian. And there’ll be more. Joseph Anthony Barton was born to be charged.