JOEY Barton will be a “massive miss” to smarting Newcastle, Gabriel Obertan admits.
But the pack of young, talented midfielders that the club imported before the transfer window slammed shut should help them to plug the significant gaps left by their former midfield talisman.
Barton (pictured right) will be the focus for tonight’s televised clash, which by a considerable quirk of fate throws Barton a rapid reunion with a club that offered him a second chance when his career seemed to be in a downward spiral.
His renaissance over the past couple of seasons has been nothing short of remarkable and there was considerable disquiet when he departed for Loftus Road a fortnight ago.
Obertan admits Barton was a “big voice” in the dressing room, and that the young United side under Alan Pardew’s charge benefited from having such a larger-than-life character in the squad.
“He was a massive player, I only got to know him for a couple of games and a couple of weeks,” Obertan said.
“He was a big voice in the dressing room and on the pitch so he might be a miss, but we’ve got plenty of quality players as well so it’s not really a problem. The only thing might be the voice in the dressing room with the charisma that he had.
“He wasn’t afraid to say harsh words at times either in the dressing room or on the pitch to wake us up which makes it a good thing to have Joey in the team.”
Barton’s departure leaves something of a power vacuum but both manager Alan Pardew and Obertan believe other players in the squad will emerge as influential figures.
The erudite French winger cites skipper Fabricio Coloccini and Ivorian enforcer Cheick Tiote as players with the capability to fill the gap left by Barton.
“There are other leaders (in this squad),” he said. “I talk about Colo or Cheik Tiote to be potential leaders.
“We won’t miss him (Barton) too much because this is a quality group and there’s Cabaye as well. On Monday we’re not focusing just on Joey, it’s a game we’re going to try to win. There won’t be any violence, it’s just a normal game, we won’t just focus on him.”
Obertan reckons he has joined a club that should be gunning for either the FA or the Carling Cups this season. He said. “To try to win a cup would be nice.”
