I'm going to buck the trend here.. Tin hat is at the ready.
I know that Barton off the field and sometimes on it has been a complete and utter tool! But, after watching the game via an internet stream earlier today. My respect for the guy went up quite a few notches... The Sunderland player's were obiously trying to wind Barton up. And, to his credit he didn't take the bait.
Cattermole clattered him and he just got up and got on with it... He did get booked but it was for actually trying to defend one of the Sunderland player's who was ready to lose it!
IF it means we can't/don't want to/Can not afford Palacious. I would hope that T.P. takes a gamble with Joey Barton. He played really well today and even the Newcastle fans were behind him. They are not stupid and IF he's doing OK in their eyes. He's worth the risk IMHO anyway.
Who's first to bite my head off!