The confusion and chaos at Newcastle United is showing no signs of clearing up anytime soon, as manager Alan Pardew has stated that Joey Barton could stay on. Barton was informed by the Newcastle hierarchy that he could leave on a free transfer after a rant about the management on Twitter.
Joey Barton saga continues
Barton was placed on the transfer list on Monday and was made to train alone. He was allowed to train with the youth team on Thursday. Barton relented on Thursday and said he could stay with the club even though the board didn’t want him.
“I’ve never closed the door on anyone and I’m not closing the door on Joey,” Pardew told a press conference. “He trained with the development team today and, who knows, he may train with the first-team soon.”
“Maybe if it wasn’t for Twitter and this instant media it may have got resolved on Monday morning with me and Joey in my office. The problem with Twitter – we need to get a hold of this. We have got nothing from the Premier League on how to deal with this.”
Pardew also said that he talked to Alex Ferguson and that he would follow a model which was being followed at Manchester United.
“We’re now following the guide that Sir Alex has said they have done (at Manchester United). I’m not against those sites, and I don’t think many managers in the Premier League are, but they have to be careful not to mention the football club.”
After losing Andy Carroll in the winter transfer window, Captain Kevin Nolan to West Ham recently and with Jose Enrique almost certain to capture a move to Liverpool, Newcastle would be quite foolish to let Barton go so easily, as he was one of the top performers for the Toons in the last two seasons.
Mike Ashley has long been criticised for his alleged lack of interest for the club and his opportunistic behaviour for the sake of cash inflow.
Toon fans will hope that the club and Barton come to an agreement and settle this awkward situation. Losing all of their proven star performers will only mean a slump in their form and table position.
Tags: Alan Pardew, English Premier League, EPL, Joey Barton, Manager, Newcastle United, Twitter
