Source: Daily_Mail
Northern Exposure: Joey Barton - From Newcastle villain to the man they simply can't lose
Three years ago at the end of a substantial Christmas binge, Joey Barton walked into McDonald's. What happened when he walked out changed his life forever. [LNB]Thousands of column inches were written before and after his prison spell. Whatever he did, whatever he said, no matter how much contrition poured from his energetic mouth, Barton's career looked in ruins. [LNB]When he wiped out Xabi Alonso at Anfield in the heat of Newcastle's doomed relegation battle, Alan Shearer proclaimed he had played his last game for the club. [LNB] Zero to hero: Joey Barton has become an integral part of Newcastle's side[LNB] More from Colin Young... Northern Exposure: Pardew better not promise that Carrolll is going nowhere14/12/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Farewell to Chris Hughton.... the dignified servant humiliated by Newcastle07/12/10 Colin Young: Why finding a No 2 for Hughton should be the No 1 priority30/11/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Newcastle pair Coloccini and Williamson pay for their moments of madness but Campbell and Taylor should fill the hole nicely23/11/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE SPECIAL: Tony Mowbray looks to homegrown talent to get Boro out of the mire20/11/10 Northern Exposure: Steve Bruce and Sunderland saying sorry in the best possible way after their derby horror show16/11/10 Northern Exposure: Who'd be a manager... or even a Sunderland fan!01/11/10 Northern Exposure: Too close to call as derby fever hits Tyneside26/10/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVESo who would believe, as Newcastle look forward to the New Year in a healthy league position, their target of survival well within their grasp, that, with the obvious exception of Andy Carroll, Barton would be their player of the season? And what is even more unbelievable is that Newcastle are prepared to sell him. [LNB]This season has still not been without controversy for Barton. Chris Hughton, and the midfielder, must look back ruefully on his inexplicable punch to Morten Gamst Pedersen's midriff which, along with an last minute ailment, ruled him out of the former manager's last four games. [LNB]Newcastle's inconsistency in those games was no accident. They are a better player with him in the team and Hughton would have been harder for the board to sack if Barton had played in the two uninspired draws and two defeats. Barton was Mike Ashley's first foray into the transfer market as Newcastle owner. [LNB]And if he felt a little stung by the experience of forking out £5.8million for a new employee with a bit of history even then, and at £60,000-a-week, made him one of the highest paid individuals on his wage bill, perhaps that is understandable. [LNB] It didn't stop him paying similar wages for the likes of Jonas Gutierrez and Fabricio Coloccini, who had Argentina caps but no Premier League experience. But he put a stop to all the nonsense after these well paid players were relegated. And Ashley has stuck to his guns following promotion. [LNB]A new wage limit of around half Barton's pay is so far non-negotiable, as Steven Taylor and his advisers have no doubt discovered when they sat down to discuss new terms recently. The message is the same for Team Barton as they look to replace his current deal which has 18 months left to run. [LNB]With that in mind, if the likes of West Ham and Aston Villa are serious about taking this controversial character off their hands, they will listen. Cash does the talking, about £1.5m of it.[LNB] As Ashley runs his football club like a business, rather than a football club, selling Barton now makes good business sense. Of course it makes no football sense, but that doesn't seem to be very important. [LNB] Temptations: Newcastle owner Mike Ashley could face offers for striker Andy Carroll[LNB]The Joey Barton who has been so influential will be sorely missed and hard to replace. If he goes, the board will believe they can find a suitable and cheaper replacement, however. So if selling Barton makes business sense. [LNB]What happens if Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp follows up his clear interest with a proper £20m offer for Carroll? Alan Pardew has been brave stating this week that he will not be sold. One assumes he was reading from his new boss's script.[LNB] But let's face it, Spurs have the money and ambition. They also have the bit between their teeth, with the title a distant possibility, Champions League qualification secured and a tasty tie with AC Milan on the cards. Harry Redknapp isn't bothered about Newcastle and their fans' adoration of their new No 9. He sees a future England regular, who looks good value, is eligible for Europe and with the armoury and potential to terrorise continental and Premier League defences for years. [LNB]On top of that, as an academy student, Carroll would represent £20m profit to Newcastle and Ashley. And that is a lot of profit. Just don't rule it out, that's all I'm saying. [LNB] Pushing on: Steve Bruce[LNB]There are likely to be conversations with Sunderland's owner in the next week to determine how they will tackle the re-opening of the transfer window. If their lofty sixth position is not beyond their expectations, it must be pretty close. [LNB]It is certainly the top end of what Ellis Short will have wanted for his investment, and the position Bruce would have taken in August. Niall Quinn was in the Sunderland squad which was second at the turn of the year under Peter Reid and he saw so painfully at first hand how Europe slipped from their grasp as the board blew the chance to back their manager and invest in his squad. [LNB]The idea of signing Nedum Onuoha and luring Adam Johnson on loan is almost fantasy football, and it would be deal of the century, but they can dream, surely. [LNB]It will need at least £6m to get the impressive Onuoha, who like Danny Welbeck has been a tremendous loan signing. The Manchester United striker has more than justified Bruce's faith with goals and performances in recent weeks, just as the ridiculous notion that he was only playing because of the loan agreement was getting legs. [LNB]Then there is the small matter of City agreeing to let Johnson go. His relationship with Roberto Mancini may not be perfect - and if the Italian continually berates the youngster in public, what must he be like in private? But City have delivered with their promise to compete for honours. Johnson just wants to play his part and start. [LNB]Rather than laying out more money, Short may have expected to see some visible return for his money, and a few outgoings first. But there will be few Bruce is prepared to sell, even fewer other managers want to buy, particularly at this time of year. The clear-out may have to wait. [LNB]Like Carroll, Jordan Henderson is of local stock and Sunderland's academy role model. The scouts have been flocking, he made his England debut with the Newcastle striker and he has a fee of around £16m on his head. But his recent performances have shown the need to continue his development at Sunderland, and take a few knocks along the way before the top sides will be ready to make the sort of offer which would give Niall Quinn serious food for thought. [LNB]Maintaining their run for Europe qualification is going to cost Short but could be used to send out a final positive message to the thousands Quinn is still begging to return regularly. [LNB] Carroll and Henderson could spend years putting their clubs on the Premier League map, or their clubs can look forward to the kind of offers which will have to take seriously because they will bring an opportunity to fund more youth development and allow serious re-investment in their squads. [LNB]Middlesbrough have David Wheater doing his bit to keep them alive, but his days on Teesside could be numbered. If not, he will leave in the summer for nothing. Wheater is out of contract in the summer and Middlesbrough have been here before. [LNB]Johnson left for £8m in similar circumstances a year ago, Stewart Downing before him for £6m, but there was also the case of Ross Turnbull who went to Chelsea for nothing. [LNB]The former captain, a regular for three seasons, has Boro pouring through his veins and will leave with a heavy heart. He is from Redcar, like new boss and hero Tony Mowbray and under normal circumstances their partnership would be in Boro heaven. But he has to leave. [LNB]His club are going nowhere but down at the moment, and he needs to play in the Premier League because he is a Premier League defender. Sadly it will not be with Middlesbrough. Not yet, anyway.[LNB] On his way: David Wheater (right) has been unable to lift Boro out of the doldrums[LNB] But which Premier League manager needs a central defender and will be prepared to match Boro's valuation, which must start at £2.5m? It is not Wheater's fault that his contractual situation means he will leave Middlesbrough with no cash to show for their 15-year association with a player on the fringe of an England call-up two years ago. But at his age, the rules that bind his transfer are for the player's and his new club's benefit. [LNB]Yet, if it was up to him he would demand some compensation as his personal thanks. The rules are clearly wrong. Clubs like Middlesbrough should be rewarded for their hard work, no matter what age the player. In fact, the older the better because it surely demonstrates loyalty and faith in his ability. [LNB]If Wheater does not leave next month, at least he has the benefit of knowing he can pay personal compensation with performances which will take Middlesbrough away from their ridiculous position in the Championship. Not only will that guarantee a better choice of club for him, but he will leave his beloved team facing a healthier future under Mowbray.[LNB]. [LNB] Explore more:People: Mike Ashley, Chris Hughton, Tony Mowbray, Harry Redknapp, Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Joey Barton, David Wheater, Xabi Alonso, Adam Johnson, Danny Welbeck, Steven Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez, Roberto Mancini, Ross Turnbull, Alan Shearer, Niall Quinn Places: Newcastle, Argentina, United Kingdom, Europe
