The Newcastle midfielder had claimed he acted in self-defence but changed his plea to guilty ahead of a scheduled trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

And now, having had NUFC on the front page of the national press from the day he arrived at St James' Park, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has to decide if the Scouser is worth the trouble.

Barton's performances for the first team last season, in the main, were shocking .... so the "troubled" Scouser cannot come back and say "I do my talking on the pitch".

And the Toon fans seem to have had enough of him.

BBC Look North toured the streets of Tyneside yesterday asking Newcastle fans if Ashley should wipe the slate clean and forgive and forget, but they only found ONE supporter who said the former Man City midfielder should continue his career at St James' Park.

A few months ago Barton spoke to Gabby Logan on BBC TV programme "Inside Sport", and he proved once and for all he has not got a brain cell in his head.

He said jail would be an experience for him, and he was "not bothered" if he was locked up or not!

Apparently "God will look after me", and God has his future mapped out.

If Ashley DOES keep him, and he turns out again in black and white, it will only take one poor performance - and we saw many of them from him last season - for the tinder keg to blow.

He has already made one jibe at the Toon Army, and they have given up on a man who's recent endevours include sticking a lighted fag in the face of a 15-year old, and attacking a 16-year old and knocking his teeth out.

Barton had his troubles with City fans, and more than once made gestures to them.

The Geordies are hard ... but fair ... people, and they are ready for him!