Source: Northern_Echo
Barton is out to repay the faith
JOEY Barton admits the recent spate of footballing scandals stirred some painful memories, but the Newcastle midfielder remains determined to repay everyone who has stood by him since he moved to the North-East almost three years ago.[LNB] The newspapers have been full of footballing bad boys in recent weeks, with John Terry and Wayne Bridge's high-profile spat sharing column inches with tales of Ashley Cole's marital misdemeanors and Nick Barmby and Jimmy Bullard's bout of public brawling at Hull City.[LNB] Barton's chequered past continues to make him one of the most controversial figures in the English game, and there are those who claim the 27-year-old should have been sacked when he was imprisoned for common assault and affray in May 2008.[LNB] Instead, he was offered an opportunity to rebuild his career, and while there have been further controversies along the way most notably when Barton clashed with then manager Alan Shearer in the dressing room at Anfield towards the end of last season the one-time England international continues to follow a process of rehabilitation that is centred around an abstinence from alcohol.[LNB] It's well documented that my life has had ups and downs, said Barton, who made his first public appearance for six months when he played, and missed a penalty, for Newcastle reserves at Hartlepool United on Tuesday night.[LNB] There's a lot of players going through it now and I can sort of relate to it. It actually brings back a lot of bad memories for me and confirms my belief in what I'm doing.[LNB] Am I different bloke I've definitely got a few more grey hairs. My feet are a little bit stiffer on a morning.[LNB] Look, we're human beings we all make mistakes. I'm a work in progress. I'd like to think I'm a better person, but at some level you're probably the same person. I haven't dwelt on it, to be honest I just want to get back.[LNB] A lot of the stuff that goes with me is off the pitch. I just want to concentrate on the pitch I want to be judged on the pitch.[LNB] That judgement will have to wait, as Magpies manager Chris Hughton will not be including Barton in the squad that travels to Bristol City this weekend.[LNB] The midfielder has missed six months since breaking his foot against Plymouth last September, but while Hughton is hoping to get another reserve game into him before the end of the season, he fully expects him to be involved with the first team before the end of the campaign.[LNB] That should set him up for a return to the Premier League next season provided Newcastle suffer no unforeseen hiccups in their remaining ten matches and offer an opportunity to reclaim past glories.[LNB] I was in the top echelon but it feels a long time ago now, said Barton. I want to be back there, but you can't run before you can walk.[LNB] I can't say after playing 60- 70 minutes for the reserves, I'm going to be back in the top echelon of midfielders, but yeah, in an ideal world, it would be nice.[LNB] My first priority is to get myself in this team. I'm more than confident in my own ability, if I stay fit, to do that.[LNB] I know it won't be easy because we've got some good players in there.[LNB] But I want to help get us back into the Premier League and once that happens, I'll cross the other bridges when I come to them.[LNB] Barton would still have been in the top-flight had he remained at Manchester City instead of joining Newcastle in June 2007.[LNB] His former employers have changed out of all recognition since then, but while Barton jokes his decision to leave the City of Manchester Stadium is typical of his flawed judgement, he remains determined to progress his career at St James'.[LNB] I joined Newcastle because I thought it was the next step into the top six of the Premier League, he said. I left Manchester City because I didn't think they were spending enough money... I think the kit man is on about £150,000 a year now![LNB] I've never been the best judge, as my CV will tell you.[LNB] But a lot has changed in me in the last couple of years, obviously off the field stuff shapes you but now I just want to get out there, doing what I love and what I do best which is playing football.[LNB] Hopefully, that will go some way to repaying my transfer fee.[LNB]
