Way too much, looking back. I think in general we are pretty easy on people compared to some fans !!

Joey Barton says he wants to relaunch his England career, because his one and only cap was ruined by his "fear of failure".

The Newcastle midfielder is ready for action again after missing the start of the season with a broken foot, and is targeting a breakthrough into the England side "not just the squad, I don't want to be an also-ran".

The controversial £5.8million midfielder still has to negotiate a criminal trial, as he is accused of assaulting Manchester City's Ousmane Dabo, which he denies.

But on the pitch he wants to unleash his frustration and become a favourite with Tyneside fans and add to his one England appearance against Spain in February.

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Barton said: "Will it be the same Joey Barton? I hope not. I've come to improve. That's why I joined Sam Allardyce at Newcastle.

"I want the manager to take me to the next level - European football every week, and competing for a place in the England side.

"Not just the squad. The last time I was in, it was a bit daunting. I was too scared of failing and didn't appreciate it until I came away."

Barton, 25, has been described by Allardyce as a "nuisance in a good way" for the effort he has put in to get fit after his injury.

And Barton added: "When you go to a new club, you want to get out there and say to the fans: 'This is what I'm about'. Because of the delay, expectations have risen and people are really waiting to see if I'm up to it."

Barton also told this week's Zoo magazine: "It's sink-or-swim time - especially at a club like Newcastle and a ground like St James' Park. It's like a coliseum. If you don't play well, it's like Roman times - thumbs down.

"Newcastle is like Liverpool, football mad. Manchester is a bit metropolitan now. A bit la-di-da. A bit like London. In Newcastle, you get off the train and there's the stadium, bang.

"In Manchester, it's all about style and everyone is bothered about what they look like. The girls are like peacocks. In Newcastle, it's all about the black and white jersey. This place isn't about fashion, this city is about football."

"I went for dinner after a game with my brother. I could hear fans talking and despite the fact we'd won, they discussed where the team had gone wrong. Imagine what they're like when we lose!"

*A full version of this interview is in ZOO magazine, out now.

Has there ever been a footballer with so little humility or self awareness in the long history of footballing pillocks?