After returning from what was a poor tour of the U.S, Newcastle must surely have been looking forward to getting home and playing a Leeds Utd team at Elland Rd, who have not been too busy in the transfer market so far.
Again, the match itself would be less remembered for the resulting 3-2 defeat and mixed performance, but more for the revelations and headlines that still dominate the Newspapers and other media outlets, that surfaced after the game.
Joey Barton, upset at the fact he was overlooked for the captaincy, with Alan Pardew favouring long serving Shola Ameobi, furiously ranted at Pardew and other players who tried to calm the scouser down in the dressing room. He then went on Twitter to rage against the club’s hierarchy over the current transfer policy. Mike Ashley’s reaction to this was to transfer list Barton, making him available for free.
Questions need to be answered in regards to Barton’s public outbursts. He has fallen in love with Newcastle United and the fans, and he and his family are settled in the area. So do the outbursts come from frustration at not seeing the club spend a big chunk of the Andy Carroll sale money, losing good friend Kevin Nolan to West Ham and not being offered a longer, more lucrative contract? Or does Barton, after one good season, see himself playing elsewhere and is trying to show his unhappiness at the club- which will have a negative effect as club’s think twice whether they want someone who is seen to cause trouble wherever he goes?
Somehow in all this, the PFA say they are behind the player if he wants to contest the two week fine that he has received. So does that mean player’s can publicly slate their employers, knowing they have the backing of the PFA? I know this would not happen for the average person if we were to criticise our bosses.
The club have stated that all parties will sit down this week and close this situation once and for all. Even Alan Pardew came away from the press conference with a bit more respect after handling the whole affair rather well., but then spoilt things by quoting this weekend that the team wont be settled for at least three to four games. Surely that is what the pre-season is all about. With Sunderland away being the second game of the season, I hope he can hurry up and get things in order.
With Gabriel Obertan set to sign in the next couple of days from Manchester United for somewhere in the region of £3m, and Pardew still looking for a centre forward, hopefully this coming week will see the Toon Army in the back pages for the right reasons. Sunday’s last pre-season friendly at home to Fiorentina had to be called off due to adverse weather after 65 minutes with the score 0-0. Putting an end to what has been a disastrous pre-season for Newcastle United who surely cannot wait for the season to start.
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