Is 'God' Still Judging Barton?

Last Updated : 07-Jan-2008 by
"God" in these parts (to many) happens to be Alan Shearer, and sadly for Barton, I hear the chances of Shearer becoming a Liverpool magistrate before his next court appearance on January 16 are pretty slim.

A lot of people are judging the Scouser, as his troubled life seems to go from bad to worse.

He has the chance to become a hero on Tyneside, but you cannot help but think his future is being flushed down the pan because he hasn't got a brain cell between his lugs.

Another Gazza in many ways, although Gascoigne had ten times more talent and never set out to hurt anyone.

The Geordie boy was lovable rogue, and never a fighter. Barton, however, wants to fight the world.

The ex-Man City midfielder is now under round-the-clock supervision after his release from jail remand.

The 25-year-old was freed on bail on Thursday into the care of therapist Peter Kay.

Since then, lawyers have been querying if he can play for Newcastle before his next court hearing in Liverpool a week on Wednesday on an assault charge.

But Mr Kay, 46, who has also helped ex-footballers Tony Adams and Paul Merson, said at his Sporting Chance clinic in Hants: "He is with me 24 hours a day - and will not be playing in the near future.

"We're concentrating on work we need to do. It is going well and I'll be with him in court to say so."

Barton has missed games against his former club Manchester City and Chelsea - plus yesterday's FA Cup tie at Stoke - following his December 27 arrest.