Newcastle’s demise is so sad... they’re tortuous to watch
THEY were once dubbed the Premier League’s great entertainers.
Now Warren Barton fears that Newcastle are in serious danger of becoming a top-flight irrelevance.
And the former St James’ Park favourite (right) is calling for action as the club have reached breaking-point, just two points off the Premier League relegation zone.
But for a man who played in Newcastle’s golden era of entertainment in the 1990s, the club’s demise is hard to stomach.
“What’s happening now saddens me,” he says. “At the moment, it’s a grind. Even with the problems with the ownership, the football was a little bit better (under Rafa Benitez) but now that has deteriorated as well.
“Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.
“Yes, the club has had some terrible injury problems this season but even when everyone was fit, the football wasn’t great.
“It’s not the kind of football that the fans want to see and it’s not the kind of football that we as ex-players want to see either.
“It’s torturous, it’s hard to watch. It’s tough for the players as well because you can see a lot of those players want to go forward to express themselves.
“We’re at a level now where it’s just so sad. It’s devastating for people in that area because it’s such a great club and the fans are so loyal and devoted.
“If you want an example of what can be done, then look at what has happened at Glasgow Rangers. That’s a huge club that has been through tough times.
“Steven Gerrard has gone in there and changed everything from top to bottom – they’re playing great football, they’re sound defensively and there’s a really good vibe around the stadium and the training ground.
“There’s an air of positivity. That shows you what’s possible.”
Although Newcastle last lifted a major trophy in 1969, they won a
host of admirers throughout the ’90s and early noughties. First Kevin Keegan then Sir Bobby Robson created teams known for their attacking football and devilmay-care attitude.
The club qualified for the Champions League three times in seven years and were UEFA Cup regulars. Europe has, though, become an increasingly distant ambition.
“We had a go – that was our motto,” added Barton, who was at the club between 1995 and 2002. “Those people had worked hard all week and they wanted to walk to the football stadium, which is the absolute heart and soul of the city, with optimism and pride.
“That’s not happening now. I’m not saying that I expect us to beat Liverpool or Manchester City. I just expect the club to compete.
“You play the game because you love it and you want to go out there and enjoy it.
“I’m not seeing that with this team. They got beat at Villa Park and they’re lying on the floor. Pick them up, inspire them.
“We got beat 4-3 at Liverpool twice but we had a go – that’s the club’s DNA.”