Barton is scared for Toon fans

FORMER Newcastle United star Warren Barton admits he ‘dreads the worst’ for the people of the area if the Magpies are relegated from the Premier League.

The Magpies are hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone after Saturday’s dire 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.

It stretched their current run under Steve Bruce to just two wins in their last 20 matches in all competitions and despite being two points clear of 18th placed Fulham with a game in hand, United are now favourites to be relegated with the Bookmakers.

It is a far cry to the successful years Barton enjoyed as a player on Tyneside under the likes of Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson and he admits it is the effect relegation could have on the fans and the region that is his primary concern.

“I don’t want it to be like a Leeds United where you disappear for 13 years,” Barton told Sky Sports.

“It scares me that this could happen and I feel for the people up there.

“The players have to take it, they get paid as do the manager and the owner, but they have had their time. I just feel for the people up there because it means so much to that area.

“They work so hard to support their team and for that to happen to this group of fans, and this region, would be devastating - particularly after the pandemic.

“If they go down, I dread the worst. It would be a disaster for everybody. People would lose their jobs in this environment, you can look at the players who will leave and it is a great area, a great football club with great people.

“They have got to go out there and give everything, the players and I echo what I said. Someone needs to grab it by the scruff of the neck as a group of players and make sure we aren’t going down.

“If we go down, I don’t think we will bounce back up. We had Rafa Benitez who realised what it was about at Newcastle, who realised if he gets it right they have got the potential to be successful and he would be treated as a legend up there.

“Just by having a go, being committed and having a bit of passion and a bit of pride.”