The controversial midfielder was targeted by home fans as he warmed up on the sidelines during the second half of the Wear-Tyne derby.
Joe Kinnear insisted Barton would play a part in the match at some period, but we expected a brief warm up before his introduction.
So why did Kinnear, who knew full well Barton would get grief, send him out THREE times to warm up?
Kinnear did not see the Barton incident, which saw him sent back to the dug-out by police, or the trouble at the end of the game, but he had sympathy for his player.
Joe Kinnear insisted Barton would play a part in the match at some period, but we expected a brief warm up before his introduction.
So why did Kinnear, who knew full well Barton would get grief, send him out THREE times to warm up?
Kinnear did not see the Barton incident, which saw him sent back to the dug-out by police, or the trouble at the end of the game, but he had sympathy for his player.
Kinnear: "It's a bit unfair, then, isn't it? It's not Joey Barton's fault, is it?
"He has been in the thick of everything this week. Every mass murder that has gone on in this country, his name has been associated with.
"I am disappointed, obviously, because of the immense disappointment for the supporters and everyone else.
"But looking at the bigger picture, we were beaten, and we have to play West Brom on Tuesday night and get maximum points."
After Barton's run-in with the home fans, he produced some fabulous football in the short period he was on the field.
He looked the class act we needed 80 minutes earlier!