Change the Toon

In recent years it seems like any news coming out of St James’ Park is bad news. Since Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship in 2009 the northern club have continued to struggle in an unstable fashion. Although their promotion back into the Premier League made the Newcastle faithful believe that their luck had changed, things continue to spiral out of control at a club once contending for the title only a few years ago. Having already sold Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan, it appears that Newcastle are prepared to let another star name, Joey Barton, leave the club. Having criticised the clubs ambition on his twitter account for selling key players, it now looks as though Joey Barton will be following his former team mates out the exit door. Today the official club website issued a statement stating that “Joey Barton has been placed on the transfer list today (Monday). The player has been advised that he can leave the club on a free transfer”. Placing Joey Barton on the transfer list as a result of his recent controversial twitter posts is clearly debatable, but allowing him to leave on a free transfer is absurd. Last season Newcastle’s three best players were Carroll, Nolan and Barton and now the already troubled club will begin next season without any of these players. I find it hard to believe that the club owner can continue to anger the teams’ fans by making rash and questionable decisions. It is already common knowledge that Mike Ashley is not popular amongst the toon army, yet he has only himself to blame. Sure, what Barton publicly declared may have been unprofessional, but he was only saying what everyone else was thinking. It is also clear that Barton loves this club and is fearful of it being harmed by a board of spoilt businessmen. After receiving the news that he will be leaving the club in the coming weeks, Joey Barton responded in a noble fashion stating on his twitter account “I am on a free but the honour of wearing those B+W stripes, surpasses that. One day the board might realise, what the shirt signifies. HONOUR and PRIDE. Thanks for your continued support. #toonarmy." This act of loyalty to the club will surely only cause more protests by angry supporters for allowing one of their best players to leave.

 With the days of Keegan, Ginola and Shearer long gone, it appears that the patriotic fans of Newcastle United should be prepared for things to get worse before they get better. That is, of course, if Mike Ashley remains in charge.