Barton tipped to end Burnley’s away-day blues
JOEY BARTON has been earmarked for a key role in Burnley’s attempt to end their away-day misery.
Sean Dyche’s team travel to Arsenal today having taken just one point out of a possible 27 away from home. In contrast they’ve picked up 25 points at Turf Moor, which sees them sitting comfortably in mid-table.
Full-back Matt Lowton is mystified by the stark difference in results but has identified Barton, who has returned to the club after four controversial months at Rangers, as the man who could trigger a change in fortunes.
“Joey has played at all the big stadiums and thrives on the big occasion,” says Lowton.
“That can only help us. He’s been at clubs where it didn’t work out but seems a good fit here because he and the manager have the same work ethic and the same winning mentality.
“With Joey, that mentality is on, day in, day out. He makes sure the lads are on it too.
“He’s so driven and he’s always bullying people and pulling them into position on the field but we all buy into it.
“Everyone saw how good he was here last year and he’s just slotted straight back in.”
Lowton flags up 2000 as the last time a team went through a Premier League season and stayed up without winning an away game.
“Coventry did it so it’s possible,” he says. “Even so it’s important we start picking up points away.
“We’ve had meetings to get to the bottom of why the results are so different but no one can pinpoint a reason.
“Just before Christmas we gave our best away performance of the season at Tottenham even though we lost 2-1.
“We’d had a meeting just before that and decided to strip it back to basics, to show more grit and determination.
“We are at our best when we are in the faces of high-profile players who like to pass the ball.
“We’ve not always done that away from home but that day we looked a lot more like a Burnley team. We need that again at Arsenal.”
Considering what happened at Rangers when he rowed with team-mates, Lowton appreciates the irony of throwing the combustible Barton into the say-what-you-think environment of those team meetings.
“Yeah, Joey likes the meetings,” he confirms. “He’s a voice!
“Seriously, the gaffer asks our opinion and he looks for honesty. No one tries to dig anyone out.
“We’re grown men in a results-driven industry and we’re after the same outcome.”