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Barton’s Newcastle Career in Tatters Monday 4th May 2009
Newcastle United’s Joey Barton was sent off for a horrific tackle on Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso yesterday and manager Alan Shearer was quick to criticise the player.
Newcastle went down 3-0 at Anfield on what was a very bad day at the office for the Magpies, but their misery was compounded when Barton saw red late in the game.
The Liverpool-born midfielder will now miss the remainder of the season at a time when Newcastle need all hands on deck if they are going to avoid relegation.
The Geordies are currently third bottom in the Premier League, with 31 points from 35 games, and the clock is ticking for Shearer to work a miracle.
The north-east legend was furious at Barton for the needless tackle.
“I wasn’t happy, I was bitterly disappointed at the way that happened,” he said.
“I asked him to stay calm in the heat of the battle but it was a stupid tackle and he deserved to be sent off.
“It’s about 90 minutes, not about 75 or 80 minutes. It’s about keeping calm for 90. I think it would be wrong to discuss his future now but I’m not very happy.
“They were the better side and deserved to beat us. It could have been a few more but for the woodwork but we’ll regroup. This game wasn’t going to save our season today but the next two will.”
Newcastle will be without Barton for their three remaining Premier League games – against Middlesbrough, Fulham and Aston Villa.
Fantasy Stakes players will know that Barton had not put on a black and white jersey since January 28th, and after this latest incident his Newcastle career may be in jeopardy.
Sunday was only the ninth time he has played for the Magpies this season – will it be his last ever?
