Nicky Butt had a really solid game on Saturday against Fulham, and showed all his skill and experience. Nicky has been talking today about his midfield partner Joey Barton, and his struggle to find his best form, amongst his other off field struggles.
Nicky Butt – had the same on field problems as Barton when he first arrived
Nicky told the Newcastle Journal today:
“I thought Joey played well against Fulham and showed what a talented footballer he is,†“He was a top player at Manchester City, but it has been tough for him here.â€
“I know how he feels because things didn’t go very well for me in my first year here either. I struggled for form and it was a difficult time in my career. It plays on your mind when you are on the pitch and at home. Joey’s a good lad, he interacts well with the rest of the squad. People might have an outside perception of what he is like, but he’s a good lad.â€
“However, as much as anyone tries to put a brave face on it, when things aren’t going well for you at a new club it is extremely hard to deal with. You do hear things in the crowd, but the good thing about Joey is that he is strong and he is starting to come through it.â€
It’s true that Nicky had the same problems when he came to Newcastle and he just couldn’t find his best form in that first season. Of course Nicky was sent on loan to Birmingham and a deal for £2M would have been struck had Birmingham not been relegated that season.
But Nicky came back and stuck in and won his place back and has been in the side ever since. So Nicky can perhaps help Joey, because he’s been through the same stuff.
But of course Barton has his odd field problems too and was charged with assault following an incident in his hometown of Liverpool over the Christmas period. And he still has to answer the charge that he assaulted his former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo during a training session in May last year. 🙁
With this type of thing hanging over his head it’s not hard to see how it could have affected his form on the pitch.
Butt continued:
“It’s been doubly hard for him because he’s had things off the pitch to deal with as well, which I didn’t have. All in all I think he’s done okay and if, like the rest of us, he can build on his performance against Fulham, then he will be happy.â€
“He was a good player at Manchester City and there were massive expectations on his shoulders when he came, but he’s starting to show what he can do. Like the rest of us, he just needs to get this season out of the way now and then start afresh.â€
“There are seven games left and there is a lot of pride to play for. We’ve got to use those seven games to give ourselves a bit of respectability by climbing back up the table. We can’t think that’s it, we’re safe now.â€
Of course Joey’s problems are of his own doing, and we just have no idea how his trials will come out. But we know there has to be some possibility of jail time, and we just don’t know what Newcastle United’s reaction to that will be , if it indeed happens.
Joey Barton
But the fact he is playing at all is good, and the best Joey can do right now is stick in and try to do some good for Newcastle United.
That will at least help offset a little the stupid things he has done that have landed him in all sorts of trouble. To Joey’s credit that’s exactly what he seems to be trying to do.
What do you think about this?
Comments always welcome.
20 comments so far
geordie in taipei
Mar 27, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Comment #1Nicky Butt speaking out for other people -Oigh Nicky When u can play football yourself, then u can speak out – until then keep it stum !
Leo
Mar 27, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Comment #2DAMN
although nicky butt is right and joey is improving and showing glymses of form everytime soeone puts faith in joey it seems that a bubu is around the corner by barton.
lets hope not though.
doc
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Comment #3spot on comments from nicky, team spirit at last
broon ale
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Comment #4geordie in taipei..nicky Butt is one our most consistent players.
Mr T
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Comment #5Butt’s form may have dipped, but he’s still good! WHen he’s on form he is immense!!
I hope Barton does pull it round cos I feel sorry for the lad in a way, plus I want Newcastle to get value for money on him!!!
paulthepom
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Comment #6geordie in taipei,you are a fool,who knows nothing about football.nicky butt over the last 4 games has been our best player barr none.he has broken up opposition attacks and started our own.100% commitment,and not giving the ball away.he now has a decent manager with a football plan and after a couple of months the confidence is coming back,the same with barton and everyone else,now get off their backs you pleb
stjames
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Comment #7Barton is slow and clumsy. he has little technical skill and is a poor passer of the ball. He doesn’t score goals nor is he creative. That leaves us with a … bad player!!! Sympathy from fellow players and misunderstood collegiality does not change the facts.
Barton is a typical Sam recruitment with real live baggage to add to his incompetence on the pitch. Is he still drinking excessively?
zhun
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Comment #8i think Butt is still struggling sometime
ToonKing
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Comment #9wow……………..
a couple of months ago Butt was the most wanted player on this site, now he has 2 good games and suddenly he’s great and consistent ??
yes he had a couple of good games i’ll give him that but his still old and crap. Get rid in the summer KK.
HeronMag
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Comment #10Ask Man City fans what they think of Joey Barton. He was nothing short of immense for them for 2 seasons straight. Don’t write off all his ability because he hasn’t had a good start.
He could be a vital player for us.
Gordon
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Comment #11“I know how he feels because things didn’t go very well for me in my first year here either. I struggled for form”
Cos he’s been great this year and in top form?!?!?!
Get Butt OUT!
african-kenyan-ronniezog
Mar 27, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Comment #12i think nicky butt is the worse player newcastle has ever had.toon gaffers like kk should wake up and stop signing these man-u rejects
King Kev-4-3-3
Mar 27, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Comment #13geordie in tapei. keep your thoughts locked up in dubai!
Leo
Mar 27, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Comment #14hes worked hard and i am one of them who doesnt like him playing because he is past it, but we have no one else to play there until the end of the season
he will be holding back the players next season when we bring in a load of centermidfielders…
ELFER
Mar 27, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Comment #15I saw BARTON shacking a fulham (cannot remember who it was) player’s hand during the game (after a foul I think?). For me this is a good sign. I think every human being has his own problems and we should help each other.
Joey has already acknowledged that he has problems and that’s the important step to do. From now on we should help him – but make no mistake he should help himself most by not doing any stupid things anymore!!
Scotty
Mar 27, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Comment #16oi “stjames” u fool! bartons not creative? he gave owen 2 glorious opportunities to score against blackburn and played very well last week in attacking and defensive parts of the pitch. i’l admit hes been poor this season and should be playing like last week much more. he was great for man city and players like that dont’t turn crap overnight! show some support. joey is one of the scape goats in an underachiving side.
GP
Mar 27, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Comment #17Barton can be a great player for this club, assuming he doesn’t go to prison in the summer.
JJ
Mar 28, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Comment #18I think Joey can be great for us, I I know just about everything ; ).
No seriously, at Man City he was creative, took all their set pieces, and scored plenty of goals, plus he is agressive and strong and if he gets fit and a run of games then he will be great.
I sick of fickle fans destroying players because they have a couple bad games, especially coming back from injury.
Every player needs a run of games to look his best. Inlcuding – if they have a bad run of four or five games then drop em but give them the chance to play themselves into some kind of form!!! Come on.
geordie in taipei
Mar 28, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Comment #19Broon ale – u r right Nicky Butt is consistant – consitantly BAD ! Wake up mate – ur living in a dream world ! – he’s terrible !
geordie in taipei
Mar 28, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Comment #20what is wrong with sum of u – king kev n paul the pom – my god – i know quite abit about footy actually and i know whats good and whats not – and butt is not ! Lay off the crack pipes boys – thats stuffs for mugs. And by the way Taipei is in Taiwan bit Dubai ! Lol