Thanks Joey

[london blue 2]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 20,00.html

Joey Barton thinks he can claim an England place if he delivers the goods consistently for Newcastle United.

Barton's one and only Three Lions cap came in 2007 when he replaced Frank Lampard in a 1-0 defeat to Spain at Old Trafford.

Things have mostly gone downhill for the 27-year-old since after suffering a succession of injuries while also spending time behind bars.

Barton finished Newcastle's promotion campaign in fine form and, having seen what England had to offer in South Africa in the World Cup finals, believes he can crack Fabio Capello's squad.

However, Barton knows it is his football at club level that he will be judged upon this term and insists he is fully focused on performing at his best for the Magpies.

Do well
"For me, first and foremost I want to do well for Newcastle United," he told the Evening Chronicle.

"But watching some of the performances in the World Cup over the summer I think that on form, I'm as good as anybody in this country.

"I don't say that lightly and I have to go out and prove that, but surely every midfielder in this country should be thinking like that?

"They should be looking at it and saying, 'That's where I want to be and that's where I can go'.

"That's my goal, and if I break into the England squad, it proves that I am doing fantastic for this football club.

"I'm a much more rounded footballer now than I was when I first signed for this club. Injuries have restricted my chances to show that.

"If I can sustain fitness for a long period of time, I'm very confident of finding the form that got me in the England squad."

[Sister of fu]

Injuries have restricted my chances to show that.

No joey beating a kid up outside Mackie Ds and going to prison has restricted your chances you pleb!!

[Dubciteh]

hes probably right, why not aim for the england squad? at least it shows he has some ambition!

Speaking of joey hes only 4.5m in fantasy football(base price for a midfielder) will be a great buy at that price if he stays fit(and out of trouble), ive got a soft spot for joey, like the relation that always lets you down but you cant help but been suckered in!

[blues-clues]

I think the lad has a point "based on the performances in South Africa and if he is on form, he is as good as anyone in the country"

Yeah Joey yer right you dope. What we need is someone playing at the top of their game to be as good as those useless tossers who represented our nation in South Africa this summer. I know what you mean pal but frankly a dead dog in a plastic bag would have been an improvement on most of those over paid under performing arse wipes. If you are going to make a comparison do it with something that makes you out to be good not as crap as a crappy crap at a crap party in crapsville.

[Mase]

Good luck to him.

[Kladze]

Good luck to him.

Fuck him!
Nowt but a well paid thug .......

[Crossie]

He's a fucking poor excuse for a "man", little fucking prick. I hate him. The things he and his family have done are a disgrace, and how the fuck he sits there on +30k a week when he doesnt deserve £5.52 an hour is beyond me.

[craigmcfc]

More chance of Heskey being seen again in an England shirt

[Murph]

England need to find players who can do the basics well, such has having a good first touch and being able to pass from A to B. Don't think Joseph qualifies on either front.

[Grob]

funny

[Esky]

Hope he isn't injured when they come to COMS this year.

[Scatman]

Hope he isn't injured when they come to COMS this year.

what about when he leaves?

[craigmcfc]

Hope he isn't injured when they come to COMS this year.

what about when he leaves?

Lets hope Nige has another kung fu move still in his locker

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Hope he isn't injured when they come to COMS this year.

While I know exactly what you are saying, I actually DO hope he is injured. If he isn't, you can bet your bottom dollar that he is going to be out to [strike]prove people wrong[/strike] hurt people big time.

[Ted Hughes]

When you look at the state of England's vastly uderperforming, pathetic, pedestrian midfield in the World Cup, a fully fit Barton, however headless & shite, would have been a huge upgrade even when it came to passing! How low can you get?