Skip to 3:46.
It's a good thing the games are coming thick and fast now as I'm assuming he'll have played Fulham before any action can be taken. But this punch deserves a ban. Then again, so did THud's lashing out against Bolton, and he got off. So we'll see.
And just when I was marvelling that Barton's run of early-season yellow cards hadn't amounted to anything further.
UPDATE: Barton charged by FA
An FA statement said: "Newcastle United FC midfielder Joey Barton has today been charged with violent conduct by the FA following an incident in his side's fixture with Blackburn Rovers FC on Wednesday 10 November.What should NUFC do? I would think they contest the charge if just to keep the momentum going with another unchanged starting XI. That would also give them another week to work in Danny Guthrie or Wayne Routledge into the team and work on how that would impact their approach. Guthrie would be the choice if they need someone to take set pieces, but he hasn't even made the bench in their last few matches. Routledge has at least been on the bench and was a substitute last night against Blackburn. He would give NUFC width, especially as Barton is supposedly playing on the right of midfield. But then NUFC would be looking for someone to take set pieces. It's been their only offensive threat, and missing Barton on kicks would be a big loss to them over the course of the next (or next plus one) three matches.
"Barton has until 6pm on Friday 12 November to reply to the charge and under the FA's fast-track regulations, may admit the charge and accept a standard three-match suspension."
If Barton decides to contest the charge, the hearing would be next week, meaning he would be free to feature in Newcastle's game against Fulham on Saturday.
Or can they solve both problems with... Ryan Taylor?!?!?!
RESOLUTION UPDATE: SORRY BARTON ACCEPTS THREE-MATCH BAN
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has admitted a charge of violent conduct and apologised to Morten Gamst Pedersen for the punch that will earn him a three-match ban...
Barton will miss Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham and the following two games against Bolton and Chelsea.
nice sucker punch. what a goon
ReplyDeleteIf I was Barton/Newcastle I'd take it now - if contest it could be seen as frivolous which could see the ban extended to 4 games or more. He punched MGP, he's been caught, I don't think they have a leg to stand on in an appeal.
ReplyDeleteAnd I forgot to add, RTay would be on my radar if he has a chance of taking his place!!
ReplyDeletewhat now?? SELL??? Got him soooo cheaply at the beginning of the season :(
ReplyDelete:( he's value at 5.xx
ReplyDeletei don't wanna drop him
but 3 games is too much
chi
i only have him at 9+ so he is gone, maybe nolan will have even more influence, as he will be the sole offensive threat in the midfield. it is kinda like nani at manure.
ReplyDelete