Guest smoggeordie Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 Spot the "deliberate" mistake Link The former Black Cats striker is a lifelong Sunderland fan, having grown up on Wearside, and is delighted they are back in the big time. But he said that the hard work has not even started for Roy Keane's men, who face a tough task to retain their top-flight status. Harfordplayed for Lincoln, Newcastle United, Luton and Wimbledon among others in a 21-year career in which he scored 186 goals. But he still rates those Tyne-Tees derbies among the most passionate he has ever seen - and is excited at the prospect of the old foes locking horns again. He said: "It will be great to see the Tyne-Tees derbies reinstalled - that was one of the greatest privileges of my career as a player to be involved in some of those matches. "They are brimming with passion and energy and if you are not careful you can let yourself get carried away. "You have to switch off the emotion that goes with it and just concentrate on getting the job done professionally. "Derbies are won by the team that keeps cool heads, and to be honest in the Premiership the more games you can stay cool in, the better. "Roy will not have too many problems keeping his players relaxed, though, if what we have seen thus far is anything to go by." Harford has been assistant manager at Colchester United since last summer, following a caretaker stint at Nottingham Forest and a brief spell in charge at Rotherham. And the twice-capped England striker said despite his current side doing the double over Keane's men, their class was plain for all to see. He said: "They have been one of the best footballing teams we have played this season. "And although we beat them twice, their class was obvious. "The Championship is a very different league from the Premiership and they might not come up against so many sides looking to dominate totally through physicality. "That means they'll need more skill and more pace. "And the only way to get that is to invest. "Keane will have to bring in players, and I am sure he will do that. "The type of character that they bring in will be important as well, but then we all know Roy is not going to suffer any nonsense. "I have been impressed this season that on the rare times when he has had any issues to deal with, he has not gone off the deep end, but gone through it with those people concerned and just laid out what he wants from them. "And it certainly seems like the door is never shut for players to come back into the equation. "That is the best style of management, because the players firstly know where they all stand. "So they know what they need to do if they are out of the picture. "And secondly that honesty makes them more amenable to putting in the extras, the hard yards, because they feel they can trust the man in charge." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest smoggeordie Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 Oh, and Barton wants to come... Joey Barton today gave the clearest indication yet that he is keen to sign for Sam Allardyce at St James' Park. Speculation about Barton's destination next season has been rife, even though many clubs are reluctant to sign him due to his chequered history. Barton may yet have a future at Manchester City, with a new owner and a new manager set to come in at Eastlands. But the midfield star seems resigned to leaving City, with Tyneside or East London in his sights. And he confessed to a close friend on Merseyside last night: "I just want my future sorted - and it's now between Newcastle and West Ham where I will be next season." The Hammers, however, may be ready to drop their interest in £5.5m-rated Barton after seemingly succeeding in their bid to snap up Toon captain Scott Parker, with the clubs agreeing on a fee of around £8m. Barton added: "At this moment I haven't been given permission to speak to anybody. "But, having played for Manchester City, I'd find it hard to go to a club without an equally passionate support. "What Sam Allardyce achieved at Bolton without a big budget was fantastic. "Newcastle United are a big club and who know's what he can achieve there? The future looks very exciting." The Huyton-born midfielder was told by Stuart Pearce he wouldn't play for City again after questioning the ability of his team-mates at the end of last term. Barton has a trail of misdemeanours behind him but is keen to make a fresh start and sees Allardyce as the perfect mentor to help him get his career back on track. Allardyce is well aware of his past too, but having worked with other troublesome stars such as Nicolas Anelka and El-Hadji Diouf at Bolton, will feel he can help to straighten out the Scouse midfielder. Meanwhile, Allardyce is also being linked with a move for Paris St Germain defender David Rozehnal. Capped 20 times by the Czech Republic, Rozehnal was a target for Allardyce when he was at Bolton. The £3m-rated centre-half is also wanted by Borussia Dortmund. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 The Huyton-born midfielder was told by Stuart Pearce he wouldn't play for City again after questioning the ability of his team-mates at the end of last term. Well you could say that, or you could say he beat a fellow team mate until he was out cold and waking up in hospital mackems.gif Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Magpiecn Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 The Huyton-born midfielder was told by Stuart Pearce he wouldn't play for City again after questioning the ability of his team-mates at the end of last term. Well you could say that, or you could say he beat a fellow team mate until he was out cold and waking up in hospital mackems.gif Barton is another Bellamy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Parka Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 The Huyton-born midfielder was told by Stuart Pearce he wouldn't play for City again after questioning the ability of his team-mates at the end of last term. Well you could say that, or you could say he beat a fellow team mate until he was out cold and waking up in hospital mackems.gif Barton is another Bellamy. A headcase but a good player? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Magpiecn Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 The Huyton-born midfielder was told by Stuart Pearce he wouldn't play for City again after questioning the ability of his team-mates at the end of last term. Well you could say that, or you could say he beat a fellow team mate until he was out cold and waking up in hospital mackems.gif Barton is another Bellamy. A headcase but a good player? Yes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Geordiesned Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 Spot the "deliberate" mistake "Tyne-Tees derby" what you mean? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest smoggeordie Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 Spot the "deliberate" mistake "Tyne-Tees derby" what you mean? Aye Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokerprince2004 Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 We've got 4 derby games next season, mackems twice and derby twice....No such thing as a tyne-tees derby Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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