Source: Daily_Mail
Gareth Barry ignores Joey Barton's 'teacher's pet' blast
Gareth Barry has refused to be drawn on recent comments by Joey Barton in which the Manchester City midfielder was branded as 'a teacher's pet'.[LNB]The controversial Newcastle midfielder launched a stunning attack on the state of the England football team in an interview with French football magazine So Foot earlier this month, highlighting Barry's presence as an alarming indicator of the lack of midfield talent. [LNB]But Barry, who helped City reach the FA Cup final after beating Manchester United in the semi-final at Wembley at the weekend, brushed off Barton's blast saying he would never speak negatively about another professional.[LNB] Hard hitting: Barry put in a solid performance during Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final win over rivals United at Wembley[LNB]He said: 'You approach every game trying to do your best. I always do. If you get criticism, you get criticism.[LNB]'That's the game. You try and respond toit. I always give 100 per cent. If it's good enough, you get selected again. [LNB]'I don't really want to speak about another professional, positive or negative.'[LNB]Barry insists Roberto Mancini's men will take nothing for granted against Stoke in the FA Cup final.[LNB]The 30-year-old put in the hard yards in the dramatic 1-0 victory over United on Saturday.[LNB]Now the England international wants City to repeat that spirited performance on May 14 and end a 35-year wait for a major trophy.[LNB]He added: 'The victory means so much and you could tell by the celebrations. But the players, in the back of our minds, know we've won nothing yet.[LNB]'The final is going to be as tough or even tougher. The pressure will be more on us, so we've got to learn from the United game and take that into the final.'[LNB] Final countdown: Barry wants City to make history and win the cup when they take on Stoke on May 14[LNB]Yaya Toure scored the winner in the 52nd minute and it was game over for United's dream of the treble 20 minutes later when Paul Scholes was sent off.[LNB]The last time City lifted silverware was in 1976 when the League Cup was brought back to their old Maine Road ground.[LNB]Barry said: 'It is a massive moment for the club to reach the final. It has been a long wait.[LNB]'So it is important now that we win it. The next game is going to be just as tough, with the pressure maybe more on us.[LNB]'It is about winning that first trophy. It was mentioned at the beginning of the season.[LNB]'If we can win that trophy, then maybe more will follow. The first one is always the most difficult one.'[LNB]Barry insists the result proves the players are united despite various training ground bust-ups.[LNB]'There were a few great individual performances but it was the perfect team performance,' he said.[LNB]'We all stuck together, as you have to do to beat Manchester United. Hopefully that will show we are together as a group.'[LNB] Barton brands Barry a teacher's pet as Newcastle bad boy rips into EnglandMan City 1 Man Utd 0: Mancini's men point to a bright blue futureGraham Poll: Scholes must tackle less if he is to be remembered as a greatAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Paul Scholes, Roberto Mancini, Gareth Barry, Joey Barton Places: Newcastle, United Kingdom
