Barton backtracks on ‘vicious’ Magpie fan rant

NEWCASTLE midfielder Joey Barton has insisted he never questioned the loyalty of the club’s fans.

Barton’s use of the word “vicious” to describe their reaction after the 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool made for banner headlines over the weekend as the outspoken former Manchester City star once again found himself at the centre of a controversy.

But, he is adamant that he was issuing a rallying cry rather than an attack ahead of last Saturday’s trip to Blackburn.