Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Barton blasts vicious fans

01 Dec 2007 - 12:01:29

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Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has slammed the club's fans, describing them as "vicious".

The former Manchester City star was speaking about the fans' reaction to Magpies boss Sam Allardyce after last weekend's 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool.

He said: "I've not yet seen the famous crowd I was expecting to hear get behind us.

"Instead it's been vicious; I don't think I've heard a crowd that vicious.

"Last Saturday I was sitting on the bench - and after 20 minutes I'd picked up on it. It shocked me.

"The fans want success and they want it straight away, but unless they change that mentality and start supporting the side through poor results then things won't change.

"Unless there's a massive change, it's going to be the same for this manager, the next manager and whoever comes in after that.

"If it continues, when the manager goes for players, they will go somewhere else rather than jump in the frying pan.

"Sam's a good manager. He's getting the brunt of the criticism but doesn't deserve it. Not many managers can turn a club round in five minutes."