And the ex-Toon defender took time out to give new boss Glenn Roeder his full backing.
Barton: "After what Glenn achieved last season with limited resources and in a short space of time, I knew he would be good for the job. But after spending time with him on the Pro-Licence course, I realised just how much he cares.
"He cares very much about Newcastle and knows the club after playing for them earlier in his career. There aren't too many of us Southerners who have actually come up and been such a success at Newcastle!
"But Glenn was captain and many people's hero when he played in his first spell. Yet it isn't just his association with the club. He knows how to treat people and talk to them and, more importantly, he knows his football. He is very intense about football.
"I am looking forward to seeing the younger lads come on again, people like Matty Pattison, Peter Ramage and Steven Taylor. The future looks bright there. The club also have Kieron Dyer still to come back, which will be a great boost when he is fit again."