Barton deserves a chance – Keane

Oct 24 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

ROY Keane has praised Joey Barton’s attempts to rehabilitate himself and reminded Sunderland supporters tempted to give him a rough ride during the Wear-Tyne derby that the Newcastle midfielder is a “human being”.

Barton is almost certain to figure at some point at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, and may even start if doubts over Nicky Butt’s fitness persist.

The controversial midfielder couldn’t wish for a more febrile atmosphere to return in, and he will be assured of a rough ride from Sunderland’s supporters if he does make an appearance.

While Keane knows that Barton is a marked man for his off-the-field misdemeanours, he feels that he should be afforded room to redeem himself.

“Sometimes you have to remind people outside football that players are human beings. Players make mistakes and I have had a few at my club make mistakes,” he said.

“You have just got to try and support them. One or two of my players have had issues. You have to remind people, as if footballers are machines and they don’t make mistakes. Of course they do. We all made some as a player. There does come a point where hopefully the penny will drop. You have got to make the most of your career because, trust me, it is over very quickly.

“Players make mistakes like everybody else and they can have difficult times away from football. They might be hanging around with the wrong people or sometimes it is addictions.

“If you have got an addiction or a problem it doesn’t matter what kind of money you are on you have got to sort out the

problem.” Keane has been wary of dwelling on Newcastle’s problems in the run-up to the derby, and has scoffed at suggestions that his team are the favourites to win and end a 28-year wait for a victory over United at the Stadium of Light.

Apart from some praise for opposite number Joe Kinnear, Keane is refusing to be drawn into any discussion of the turmoil that has affected United this season.

“There’s lots of stuff going on at different football clubs with teams having difficult times and managers having difficult times, but I have got enough on my plate looking after Sunderland,” he said.

“We have had difficult times as it is only a couple of years ago we were second from bottom of the Championship. We are not getting on our high horse here and start patronising other clubs. We have had our own troubles and we should count our blessings every day. I don’t feel sorry for any other football club because things change so quickly at clubs these days. You can’t be blasé about it. I am too busy trying to improve all aspects of this club.”

While Newcastle consider Barton’s comeback, Keane also has a decision to make on one of his own players who is back in contention after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Kenwyne Jones looked rusty on his return to reserve team action on Wednesday night, but he improved as the minutes ticked by and may still be in contention. He would certainly accept a substitute role on Saturday if one was presented to him, despite not being at full-strength.

“If Roy Keane comes up and asks how I’d fancy being on the bench for the derby, I’m obviously going to say yes. You wouldn’t expect me to turn down a chance like that. But the decision is up to him,” said Jones. “If he thinks I could fit in and do a job, then great but until that happens, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Jones admits he is excited at the prospect of playing in Sunderland’s new-look side. “It excites me when I watch the team from the sidelines. It’s almost like a new team with so many players coming in,” he said.

“It can only make the club stronger and it’s nice to be coming back at a time when there’s such a good atmosphere and the confidence is high. There is fresh expectation that the club is healthy and going to do well.

“Djibril Cisse is a great signing but he’s not the only really good signing this year. You can see from the performances that we are much different from last season. You know you can only smile and be happy about that because Sunderland Football Club is really going places.”