I wanted an apology. I didn't think we'd get one, but his comments on Sky on Monday were near enough for me.
I had questioned where Barton’s commitment lay after holding out for an inflated pay-rise and then handing in a transfer request. However, he's made it clear he is behind the club and is in no rush to get away.
"Emotions were running high and a lot of people were disappointed or angry about things that went on,” said Barton earlier this week.
"As far as I am concerned it is not my aim to leave the football club in the near future. Hopefully we can get this matter resolved before the next game.”
While it looks unlikely anything will be agreed by the weekend’s game with Charlton, the fact he is willing to consider committing himself to City again is a good thing.
"Handing in the request will have raised a lot of doubt in people. But what people have to understand is that at the time I was very emotional and angry at the way things went,” he added.
“In hindsight maybe I shouldn't have done what I have done but I've done it and it's up to me to sort it out.”
The Barton row seems to have blown over so now my main worry is Stuart Pearce’s tactics and team selection at Everton last week, which were woefully wrong.
Andy Cole was said to have been ‘furious’ after being dropped for new signing Georgios Samaras and no wonder - he’d scored in his previous two games.
When Cole did come on Samaras was pushed out to the left while the painfully one-footed Kiki Musampa stayed in the midfield. At least three shooting opportunities fell perfectly for Musampa’s right foot but he couldn’t shoot as he’s not got one.
The game was there for the taking but Pearce’s decision to put players out of position meant we just let it pass us by.
Yes, Samaras needs game-time, but not at the expense of our most consistent striker. Pearce has been happy to keep Bradley Wright-Phillips waiting in the wings and make him earn his place, why not Samaras too?
Surprisingly Musampa’s not doing too bad in the centre, but when things are clearly not right, as they were for about 15 minutes in the second half last week, Pearce has to recognise it and make a change.
Just make sure you get it right against Charlton!!