Long-serving Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has responded favourably to the appointment of Fabricio Coloccini as new club captain.
The 29-year old Argentinean defender was today sworn in as the successor to Barton's good mate Kevin Nolan, who left St James' Park for West Ham United last month.
Even though he was a contender himself, Barton posted on his Twitter page that it was a good move by the club to hand the armband to Coloccini.
"I'm happy for Colo and it's probably the correct decision given my precarious contract situation, gives stability," he wrote.
"I'll be a leader without an armband and I'll be there for Colo as well as all the lads regardless.
"Selfishly, it lets me concentrate on playing well every week."
