Barton Knows The Score With Big Sam
By Nu Mad
Updated Tuesday, 3rd July 2007
Sir Bobby Robson had an amazing knack of handling "problem players" like Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert, knowing how to get the best out of them. Something Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder failed BIG TIME!
But Sam Allardyce seems to be on the same level as Sir Bobby. And he says he is confident he can keep Joey Barton out of trouble.
The new Newcastle boss says the controversial midfielder he must learn to avoid trouble in order to have a successful career at St James's Park.
Allardyce: "Joey has had well-documented problems.
"That side of it had to be a consideration, of course. I had to convince the board that myself and Joey would be able to deal with it, and that we would not let that side of it come out yet again.
"Myself, this football club and Joey cannot run into that sort of off-the-field trouble again if he wants to be successful here and he has ambitions to play for England again. While Joey's more than capable on the field, if these sort of situations continue off it that's not going to happen.
"I always live dangerously. It is between me and Joey (what has been said)."
Manchester City suspended him last month following a training ground bust up with team-mate Ousmane Dabo that left the Frenchman needing hospital treatment.
Barton faced a police probe and was again in trouble with the authorities this month when his Range Rover was seized as part of a crackdown on uninsured drivers.
A player who has been involved in other unfortunate episodes on countless occasions was ordered to attend anger management classes two years ago.
