BELL TOLLS FOR BEN
Former Toon star Barton warns Newcastle boss: Stop moaning about transfers, start managing the players you have got
FORMER Toon star Joey Barton has told Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez to stop moaning and start coaching after two defeats on their return to the Premier League.
But the ex-England international also claimed Newcastle need to spend as top striker Dwight Gayle is not good enough to keep them in the top flight.
Former Liverpool manager Benitez, who has brought in seven new players this summer at a cost of £34million, complained yesterday that last season’s Championship winners were not ready for the Premier League and needed further spending.
But Barton said: “It doesn’t help when the manager is out there moaning. He is clearly not happy with the situation. Yes they do need investment but they have some good players so get them coached.
“He’s paid an awful lot of money so he should coach what is in front of him.
“If you’re a player and you hear the manager moaning about investment, it doesn’t inspire confidence because he’s saying you’re not good enough.”
The former Rangers and Burnley midfielder is now working for talkSPORT – and still capable of polarising opinions.
In a tweet following his radio comments, Barton clarified that he rates Benitez as a manager, but that he should make do with what he already has, rather than moan about what he does not have.
“I like Benitez as a manager but focus on what you have got, rather than what you haven’t. We’d all like an open chequebook and £500m to spend,” he tweeted.
Barton, who played for Toon for four, prison-interrupted seasons, is serving a 13-month ban after being found guilty of betting on football matches.
He pulled no punches in his verdict on Toon striker Gayle.
The former Palace striker top-scored with 23 goals to help Newcastle to promotion last season but Barton claimed: “I don’t think Gayle is a confidentenough striker at this level. Gayle’s not a striker who will get you goals consistently at this level.
“Is Aleksandar Mitrovic the answer? I don’t think so.
“They need a striker who’s going to get them 15 or 20 goals a season. Charlie Austin? Maybe.
“You’d like to see the spine strengthened. They’re crying out for a goalkeeper.”
Newcastle have yet to score in 180 minutes and Barton added: “Benitez has historically set up his teams to be defensively well structured. He doesn’t play the most attacking brand of football. He played one striker at Huddersfield.
“You have to score goals to stay in this league. You cannot draw everyone to
death.”
If you’re a player, hearing the manager moaning does not inspire confidence - JOEY BARTON