'Barton will win over United's fans' says Butt

Mar 27 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

NICKY Butt has backed Joey Barton to finally show the sort of form which made him an England international after sympathising with the midfielder’s problems since he moved to Newcastle United.

Like Barton, Butt also endured a miserable first season on Tyneside four years ago and, with large sections of the crowd on his back, was expected to make a loan move to Birmingham City the following year a permanent one.

Yet, when Birmingham were relegated to the Championship, Butt returned to St James’s Park and has gone on to become arguably the team’s most consistent player over the last two years.

That form has led the former Manchester United midfielder to sign a new contract which will take him through to his 35th birthday, and he is convinced Barton can enjoy a similar change in fortunes. “I thought Joey played well against Fulham and showed what a talented footballer he is,” said Butt, who is part of a new look three-man midfield at Newcastle alongside fellow veteran Geremi and an improving Barton. “He was a top player at Manchester City, but it has been tough for him here.

“I know how he feels because things didn’t go very well for me in my first year here either. I struggled for form and it was a difficult time in my career. It plays on your mind when you are on the pitch and at home. Joey’s a good lad, he interacts well with the rest of the squad. People might have an outside perception of what he is like, but he’s a good lad.

“However, as much as anyone tries to put a brave face on it, when things aren’t going well for you at a new club it is extremely hard to deal with. You do hear things in the crowd, but the good thing about Joey is that he is strong and he is starting to come through it.”

Barton’s poor form on the pitch has been accentuated by his problems off the field. He was charged with assault following an incident in his hometown of Liverpool over the Christmas period. The 25-year-old is still to enter a plea in that case, but he will also have another high-profile court appearance in the summer when he answers charges that he assaulted his former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo during a training session in May last year.

Barton’s bail restrictions mean he is confined to his apartment in Newcastle when he has finished training and there is little question his personal problems have contributed to his difficulty in convincing United fans of his ability. However, there were encouraging signs against Fulham that he has rediscovered the all-action style that once made him one of the most coveted players in the Premier League when he signed for Newcastle for £5.8m last summer.

Butt added: “It’s been doubly hard for him because he’s had things off the pitch to deal with as well, which I didn’t have. All in all I think he’s done okay and if, like the rest of us, he can build on his performance against Fulham, then he will be happy. He was a good player at Manchester City and there were massive expectations on his shoulders when he came, but he’s starting to show what he can do. Like the rest of us, he just needs to get this season out of the way now and then start afresh.” Whether Barton gets that chance to show what he can do in a second season at St James’s Park will largely depend on what happens in court, but he still has the opportunity to put the record straight on the pitch.

Butt added: “There are seven games left and there is a lot of pride to play for. We’ve got to use those seven games to give ourselves a bit of respectability by climbing back up the table. We can’t think that’s it, we’re safe now.”