NEWCASTLE (DF) -- Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has hit-out at England manager Fabio Capello and his coaching staff for overlooking him in March's international squad selection, claiming he's the best English central midfielder in the game today and twice the player of England regular Gareth Barry.
The tough-tackling former Manchester City player, who received his one an only England cap in February 2007, was critical of the defensive tactics used during the recent fixtures against Wales and Ghana and charged that Capello picks his squads based purely on reputation and Italian mentality.
"Honestly, I think I'm the best English midfielder," alleged Barton in an interview with a French magazine. "In terms of English players, well, Jack Wilshere isn't bad, but Frank Lampard's on the way down and Steven Gerrard's been injured a lot. Scott Parker is one dimensional. Gareth Barry is absolute tosh."
"The only reason Barry is picked is because he's used to playing that slow Italian stuff at City," Barton continued. "Did you see the game against Germany at the World Cup? Barry's got a very good agent. He's also discreet and always agrees with the manager. He's like the guy who sits in the front row and listens to the teacher. I certainly don't lose any sleep when I play against him."
Despite his stinging criticism of those in charge, the industrious midfielder confirmed he will continue to make himself available for selection. Those who know him best in Newcastle seem to share Barton's rigid point of view, with many United supporters believing him to be the cure to England's international malaise.
"I think Joey is spot on," suggested one Newcastle supporter outside St. James' Park. "He always has been. He deserves another cap. So does Kevin Nolan, come to that, but that's another punch-up entirely. The England team needs some fresh blood and Joey is the perfect person to provide fresh blood."
"England was best when they had Newcastle players in the squad. Peter Beardsley, Alan Shearer, quality, quality players from the Northeast. Now who do we have representing the Northeast? Sunderland players. I'm amazed England haven't been relegated yet."
England manager Fabio Capello plans to risk the wrath of the Wembley faithful by sending out a team of reserves to face Ghana on Tuesday. Capello insists he will keep the regulars on the bench in reserve for when the regular reserves flounder against the World Cup quarterfinalists. -- (Daily Mail)
Arsenal wonderkid Aaaron Ramsey will resign as Wales captain as early as next week, citing a consensus in the press that his lack of experience, and not the inept tactical gameplan laid out by Welsh manager Gary Speed, caused the team to lose 2-0 against England on Saturday. -- (Daily Mirror)
Wayne Rooney has hit out at the England coaching staff for not reminding him he was on a yellow card before Saturday's game in Wales. Rooney claimed he had "no idea" he had picked up a yellow card earlier in the campaign, and that he "shouldn't have to care" about being booked for petulant challenges. -- (Daily Star)
Disgruntled Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out future move to manage Manchester United by saying he would require at least a £20 million salary and a transfer budget in excess of £150 million if he were to return to England. United would only be able to offer a transfer budget of that size by selling their entire first team squad and Old Trafford. -- (Daily Express)
Blackburn manager Steve Kean is keen on bringing Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy back to the Premier League, but the move could be scuppered by Hamburg's asking price for the player. The former PSV hitman has been shopped around on a free transfer, a price much too low to meet Blackburn owners Venky's demands for a headline-grabbing, big money signing. -- (The Guardian)
Manchester United's glass midfielder Owen Hargreaves fears he will be out for the remainder of the season after suffering a shoulder injury in training. The club's medical staff hopes the former England international will be fit in time for the start of the 2013-2014 Premier League season. -- (Daily Mail)
Aston Villa's American goalkeeper Brad Friedel has denied media claims of a player revolt against under-fire manager Gerard Houllier by insisting the Villa players will stand by their manager until he's sacked at the end of the season. -- (Telegraph)
