By Tyne-Talk
August 1 2011

Agent Willie McKay has labelled Newcastle United's decision to release Joey Barton as "suicidal", and boasted that Barton was the reason the club got such a high fee for former striker Andy Carroll. McKay told Talksport;

"I was totally surprised when they never offered him a contract. I think it's a wee bit suicidal by Newcastle because how would you let your player of the year leave on a free transfer, approaching his prime.

He had a great season last year and he was, for me, pivotal for the club getting £36million for Andy Carroll because he passed every ball to Andy Carroll, for every goal.

He's a very good player and approaching his prime. I just can't understand what Newcastle are doing.

Derek Llambias and Mike Ashley stood by Joey when he was under real pressure so I'm not going to come out and slag off Newcastle's board but I think they have made a mistake. He was going to take a drop in wages to sign a new contract."

But has Joey Barton been his own worst enemy? Slating the board at every given opportunity, whilst playing the fans on side all via Twitter.

Was the refusal of a 5 year contract really that unreasonable for a player in his late twenties?

Whilst there is no doubt Barton will find another club, and that putting him on the transfer list is highly questionable when the squad is so small, Newcastle have been good to Barton. He was signed at a time in his career when other clubs were worried about his reputation, and he has served a prison sentence, during which the board stood by him.

Perhaps Joey Barton tweeted 1 time too many when he posted this;

"If only we as players could tell the fans exactly how it is, without them above fining us lots of money. There will be a time and a place. If it wouldn't effect team morale and cause unrest within the dressing room, am certain Jose's comments would be the tip of the iceberg.....

And again it would be left to those magnificent fans to pick up the remnants of their once great football club."

Then yesterday he said he would be at the club unless his contract expired or he was given a free transfer. Today he was given that transfer.

McKay added;

"There will be a lot of takers. Joey would hope to go to a top club and in actual fact a couple of top clubs have been in contact already. There won't be a problem finding Joey a home. He's a very good player and approaching his prime. I just can't understand what Newcastle are doing.

I think he is capable of playing Champions League. He's a very good player"

McKay Calls Newcastle Suicidal as Barton Tweets Out Of Toon

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 01/08/2011 21:30

TyneTalk
01/08/2011 21:30

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