James Perch: Barton can lead us to Premier success
Aug 5 2010 by Nick Purewal, The Journal
JAMES Perch believes Joey Barton's Deportivo penalty redemption shows the Merseysider can lead Newcastle United's charge back into the Premier League.
Hailing the nerveless midfielder’s guts to shake off his normal-time penalty miss and convert the winning spot kick in Tuesday night’s shoot-out, defender Perch backed Barton to rise to new levels this term – and take United with him.
Barton’s troubles have been well-documented, but the midfielder can boss a game with the best of them when good form combines with good feeling.
In leading Newcastle to the Trofeo Teresa Herrera at Depor, Barton mixed those two qualities in good measure, especially in finding the resolve to face the challenge of that second penalty.
Kevin Nolan and ex-Depor favourite Fabricio Coloccini were the men tasked with lifting the enormous 60kg solid-silver tower-shaped trophy, with Newcastle becoming the first English side to take the honour in the competition’s 65-year history.
Thankfully for Newcastle there would have been no excess baggage charges on return to the North East though, as the club were presented with a mini replica version for the St James’ Park trophy cabinet.
Perch teamed up well with Coloccini at centre-back to guide Newcastle to a shut-out in 90 minutes, while United were guilty of some frustrating goal-front profligacy.
Former Manchester City dynamo Barton impressed through the spine of Newcastle’s team, bossing proceedings with some incisive passing.
A dangerous dead-ball cross nearly handed Leon Best a first-half goal, but the Republic of Ireland forward could not quite rise high enough to make contact.
Impressed Perch told The Journal that Barton’s penalty turnaround will prove indicative of his season to come – just as always, whatever the problems, the gritty playmaker dragged himself off the floor and got on with his job.
Now the challenge will be for Barton to reproduce that kind of mental zeal while at the same time curbing just a modicum of his over-enthusiasm for the bite of the tackle.
