Newcastle benefit greatly as this leopard changes his spots

If memory serves us correctly, it wasn’t so long ago that a certain person, of the name Joey Barton and who also had the envious profession of being a professional football player, was a figure of derision and despised for his demeanour and actions predominantly off the field of play. These actions were numerable and malicious, with most other people who commit these acts being reprimanded in much stricter ways. The majority of people would agree that Barton was a lucky man to have such a safe environment that protected him from harsher punishment whilst he marauded about unleashing his fury at will. I’m also fairly certain that the majority of people would have rejoiced at Barton being cast off to jail for a lengthy period of time or prohibited from playing football ever again.

The incidents that gave Barton notoriety included the stubbing out of a cigar on the face of a reserve team mate whilst at Manchester City, assaulting Ousmane Dabo at the same club in training, charged with assault and affray for a fight in Liverpool after a night out and further accounts of disorderly behaviour. To combat this reckless behaviour he had to attend anger and behavioural management sessions in order to try and curb his explosive character when confronted with aggressive or problematic situations. These clinical sessions have obviously accounted for the progression of Barton’s character from reprobate to role model. Although it has been a long and arduous battle for Barton and those around him, he has now been repaying the faith that others had in him. For no one can doubt that he is a talented player and one who may well earn an England call up if he continues to impress, all that was needed to compliment his ability was the mentality that allowed controlled aggression and to eradicate his disposition to violence.

Now I know it is quite early on in the season to be hailing this transformed character and forget all of his previous history that shadowed his image, but after the commanding performances he has displayed, it is positive and welcoming to see. The main example is when Newcastle played Wolves, with Barton being subjected to a fine folly of overtly physical challenges, with players careering into him in order to evoke a reaction and sway the match in Wolves favour. Yet Barton maintained a philosophical approach and played his game, with the Wolves tactic failing to materialise a sending off. He has cemented his position in the centre of midfield, with Alan Smith making way for the new signing Chiek Tiote, marking Barton’s centrality to the team.

A man’s reputation often precedes him, as the saying goes and in this case it is no different. That is until that reputation becomes false in the face of new experiences or a change in character. This latter transformation is the case for Joey Barton; he has come through the turmoil, tribulations and answered his detractors to forge a new path that bodes well. He was obviously a troubled soul that often vented its frustrations and insecurities in the wrong manner, fortunately being a professional footballer can be very forgiving and the necessary recourses to help were found. Yet he still had to want this change and achieve it, which owing to recent performances he has proven.

Rather than throwing in the towel and neglecting the troublesome young man, there was enough to suggest that he would reform himself. Having done so, it serves as a lesson that the long-term is more desirable than the short-term which could have been taken in dismissing the lad altogether. Through rehabilitation, hard work, a desire to succeed and the belief of those around him, Joey Barton has emerged as the player that Newcastle paid nearly £6million for and the person that doesn’t arbitrarily commit offences within society.

Written By Elliot O’Reilly