Source: Team_Talk
Rover Roberts blasts Barton
lackburn striker Jason Roberts has slammed Joey Barton for his punch on Morten Gamst Pedersen at St James' Park on Wednesday night.[LNB] The Newcastle midfielder reacted angrily to being barged by the Rovers winger during the Magpies' 2-1 defeat and thumped him in the chest.[LNB]Barton went unpunished by referee Michael Jones, as he did not see the incident, but he is facing retrospective action from the Football Association.[LNB]Roberts, who scored the winner at St James' Park, feels Barton was out of order and has criticised him for picking on his passive team-mate.[LNB]"Morten's turned round to apologise if you watch the footage to say sorry about that foul," said Roberts.[LNB]"We've all seen the footage, we all saw what happened, so it will be interesting to see what happens from now going on.[LNB]"Morten is a lovely lad and he's never going to say anything to be controversial or make any wild statements but you could see he was disappointed by what happened.[LNB]"From his point of view what he was saying was anyone who was watching the video will see what happens. [LNB]"He didn't want to comment too much because he wouldn't say boo to a goose and that's what makes yesterday even more disappointing. It's all right doing it to people who are not that way inclined."[LNB]Roberts was delighted to grab his second goal in as many games in midweek, as his future at Ewood Park remains up in the air.[LNB]He has been told he is free to move on, opening the door to a January exit, but for now he is just happy to be playing and doing what he does best.[LNB]"It's been a funny season for me," added the 32-year-old. [LNB]"I've not been involved as much as I would have liked because of different situations. There was a lot of interest in me at the start of the season but things never happened for whatever reason.[LNB]"But I'm back involved at the moment and I'm scoring a couple of goals and I'm looking forward to what may or may not happen in January."[LNB]Meanwhile, Blackburn assistant manager Neil McDonald has described Barton's actions as "foolish".[LNB]"It's obviously foolish and it's the wrong thing to do, but no doubt the powers that be will sort that out," McDonald said.[LNB]"The pictures are there, it wasn't provoked and I'm sure they will make the right decision about what to do."[LNB]When it was suggested to him that the contact Barton made with Pedersen was a "full-blooded punch", McDonald said: "Yes it was, and it was unprovoked as well, which probably makes it worse."
