From the Ronnie: Headline - Barton, my recovery is complete

WARREN Barton will lead out Newcastle United in the absence of Alan Shearer this season. And it means that the former Wimbledon defender's United rehabilitation is now complete.

Certainly it's a far cry from the days when Barton was a target of the United boo boys with the former England international now a big hit with the fans.

After skippering United for the third time in three pre-season games in the 1-0 win at Burnley last night Barton emerged to tell me: "While there is nothing official it seems as though the manager has made his decision.

"I have spoken to the other senior pros Robert Lee and Gary Speed and it is not a problem to them.

"But it is a great honour for me to captain a club like Newcastle United although obviously I will stand down when Alan is fit.

"However, the fact that I am captain will not change the way I play in any shape or form.

"Before this season the only time I have led United out was at Wimbledon in our 3-3 draw when Peter Beardsley let me be captain against my former club,."

Criticism

Kevin Keegan said that when he signed Barton from Wimbledon in the summer of 1995 that he had bought a future United captain.

There have been plenty of changes for Barton at St James's Park since then but he has always taken criticism on the chin.

"Yes, I did have a bad time but I was not playing well and the fans had every right to have a go at me.

"But things have turned around and it's up to me to keep it all going."

When I pointed out that United had only won one of the four games when he had been captain, Barton was quick to reply: "No, it's only one defeat in four games.

"But this was a very important win for us at Burnley. These are always awkward places to come and after all the travelling we have done lately I thought this was a good win.

"Winning is a habit and we are now on our way. In contrast to this time last season, our morale is high."

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2000

Answers

He certainly deserves it! Honestly, I'd rather he be named permanent captain. I love Al, but Barton's got a better attitude, temperament, and energy on and off the pitch plus it just makes more sense to have a defender or midfielder wearing the armband.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2000

Spot on, Ciara, and I never thought I'd ever agree with anything as complimentary as that about Barton.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2000

Well I've raised this before. Al is defo the more senior in the club, but as a benign influence in the background he'd be good but Bartino is a real leader I think and not as lofty as Al

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2000

Completely agree with Ciara/PB and TM. Nice to see the lad getting a bit of recognition. I think he be canny, meself like.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2000

I think Wozza will make the better manager as well, as it goes. However, the best captain's performance I've ever seen was Big Al against Leeds last season. Scored that beauty from Domi's cross and was immediately encouraging the other players. One of the few compensations for how quiet a couple of games were last season was that you could hear Al ordering them about when they were defending corners and the like. "Gerron the line!!!!!!!!!!". He's also exceptionally nice to the little mascots. There was this tiny little lad (about two) at the end of last season and was looking up at Al as if to say "Where's me mam?" Priceless.

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2000

That was quite possibly the smallest person ever seen at SJP. Except Dennis Wise and Juninho of course.

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2000

LOL. It's true - he was miniscule and not at all impressed to be stood there with Big Al kicking a ball at hime and 36000 people applauding!

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2000

Can't look at Juninho without remembering the Prince patting him on the head when he was complaining about something!

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2000