Source: Daily_Mail
Northern Exposure: Joey Barton's form has earned him a second chance with England
Should Joey Barton play for England again? Only Fabio Capello knows the answer. But it is a very difficult question for the England manager to ponder as Barton continues to enjoy the best season of his career.[LNB]If the decision was based on form and the influence he has had in games against the top sides, Barton would be adding to his single cap. Based on his past, his reputation and one or two daft incidents this season, and he has no chance.[LNB]Few players have played as well as this controversial figure this season, and certainly not for so long. For different reasons to Andy Carroll, Barton has been Newcastle's best player so far, and central to their comfortable place in the top ten and the 30 points already won.[LNB] One cap wonder: Joey Barton made his sole England appearance against Spain at Old Trafford in 2007[LNB]And if he wasn't Joey Barton, he would be joining Carroll in the England fold, no questions asked. But this is Joey Barton and because of his conviction and jail term for a drunken assault two years ago, there will be plenty urging Capello to simply avoid any controversy and ignore him.[LNB]After all, this is the same player who gesticulated inappropriately at Fernando Torres, even if he was suggesting the Liverpool striker didn't have the guts to carry out his threat to finish their little spat in the tunnel. And didn't he punch Morten Gamst Pedersen in the gut in November?[LNB]That apparently unprovoked attack was missed by the officials at the time, but inevitably picked up by the cameras and he was banned for three matches. Chris Hughton's last three matches as it turned out. Newcastle, and their manager, suffered in his absence.[LNB]The midfielder was quick with his personal apology to the Norway international who had made the mistake of winding Barton up as a fairly innocuous attack broke down in the Newcastle area. It was heartfelt, it was articulate. But it was too late.[LNB] Two sides: Barton has been excellent this season (left) but there remains doubt over his temperament, dating back to a jail term in 2007 (right) [LNB]Barton has admitted he faces a daily battle to fight his demons and his rage. No team-mate is immune from his acidic criticism if they make a mistake in a game, and he constantly walks the line between abusive and helpful. His captain Kevin Nolan keeps him in check, and Newcastle's players know how to take it now. But it can't be easy to play with, or against.[LNB]He sets his standards high, though, not least for himself. He berates himself for a missed tackle, a poor pass.[LNB]Newcastle were passed off the Park by Tottenham last Saturday, but it was Barton who provided the pass of the game to release Nile Ranger, only for the young striker to waste another opportunity to break his top flight duck.[LNB] Passion: The competitive edge that is a demon in his private life works to Barton's favour on the pitch[LNB]Equally costly - and no doubt noted by the England coach - was Barton's reckless injury-time pursuit of a second goal against Spurs. It was his careless loss of possession which then resulted in a quick counter and Aaron Lennon's simple equaliser. [LNB]His manager Alan Pardew put it down to 'naivety' but both men know Barton should have known better. It wasn't naive; it was daft. And it will have been eating away at Barton during the break in Portugal this week.[LNB]Whether playing on the right, or in the middle, Barton makes Newcastle tick, plays to Carroll's strengths in particular and opens up defences like few others in the entire Premier League. Not all Newcastle's strikers thrive on the service, mind you.[LNB]In the first minute of the derby, after getting on the end of another probing Barton missile beyond Anton Ferdinand and Titus Bramble, Shola Ameobi was the guilty party. If he had taken the chance, it seems unlikely Barton would have ended the day on his knees, holding back tears.[LNB] Vital: On both the front and back foot, Barton has had an important impact this term[LNB]He thrived in that hostile Wearside atmosphere. When he eventually walked off, smiling and with more abuse being thrown in his direction, Barton responded by holding up two hands to Sunderland supporters. One showed five figures, the other just the one as he reminded his tormentors of the Halloween derby scoreline. [LNB] More from Colin Young... Colin Young: Bent's fantasy deal brings Sunderland crashing back to earth18/01/11 Northern Exposure: Three reasons why the hotbed of football became a laughing stock during a weekend of FA Cup shocks 11/01/11 Northern Exposure: New Year's resolutions for the north east big three05/01/11 Northern Exposure: Barton, from villain to the man Newcastle can't lose22/12/10 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 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEEvery time he took a corner he seemed to be asking the home crowd for more stick (if that was possible). But his decision to repeatedly walk to his mark, and then slowly place the ball was to backfire. Referee Howard Webb was counting every second, giving Sunderland time for their late equaliser.[LNB]Capello does not seem like an England manager who will be swayed by outside influences, but he will have been warned about the nest he is stirring with Barton's inclusion in an England squad. [LNB]He is a complicated player, an even more complicated man, and you don't envy Capello trying to manage him within the precious world of the England camp, but if any player deserves a second chance from the FA, it is Joey Barton.[LNB]When he scythed down Xabi Alonso at Anfield, his final contribution to Newcastle's doomed fight against relegation, I was not alone in sharing Alan Shearer's assertion that he should have played his last game for Newcastle. Circumstances probably saved his Newcastle career more than anything. [LNB]That he was to play such an important role in Newcastle's immediate return was no surprise. The man lives for adversity, and he was always going to enjoy being back in the Premier League and putting all his hard work off the field to serious effect on it.[LNB]I'll be honest. Because of his disciplinary record, and, believe it or not, his reputation, I had doubts about putting him in my Daily Mail Fantasy Football team, but he was just such great value at £5.4million that it had to be done. He has been one of the FF signings of the season for Dunga's Bizarro FC.[LNB]And with talks opened to extend his contract, Newcastle are about to make one of the signings of the January transfer window. He wants to stay for the rest of his career, thankfully Alan Pardew and Mike Ashley can see the sense in that. [LNB]But like Pardew, and Newcastle's players and fans, I hope he's not the only January signing.[LNB] Watch all the Premier League goals every week on our brilliant video playerClub-by-club guide to every Premier League transfer deal during January[LNB] Explore more:People: Kevin Nolan, Mike Ashley, Chris Hughton, Fabio Capello, Andy Carroll, Fernando Torres, Aaron Lennon, Joey Barton, Xabi Alonso, Titus Bramble, Alan Shearer Places: Liverpool, Newcastle, Portugal, Norway, United Kingdom
