The former Newcastle United player has had plenty of brushes with Black Cats supporters down the years.
The ‘interesting’ relationship between Sunderland fans and Barton appears to be something the ex-Manchester City man is unwilling to let go of, judging by his comments every time he comes up against the North East club.
Barton is now managing Sunderland’s League One rivals Bristol Rovers having been sacked from his previous job at Fleetwood Town.
Indeed, the former Rangers and Burnley midfielder confirmed that he left Fleetwood Town following a bust-up with the club's chairman over transfers.
And the ever abrasive and always charming Barton also had a disagreement with striker Ched Evans before his departure to join Preston North End.
"A few players were at the end of their cycle - Ched Evans, I'd had enough of him. He just wasn't performing on the pitch and I felt we needed to improve in that position.”
Sunderland are two points off second-placed Peterborough United in the automatic promotion places and with a game in hand on Darren Ferguson's side and league-leaders Hull City.
Bristol Rovers, however, are stuck in a relegation dog fight and sit fourth-bottom in League One.
And ahead of the Black Cats clash with Barton’s Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday, we’ve delved into the archives to find some of the one-time England international's attempts to goad Sunderland fans over the years – on everything from Simon Mignolet and Jack Ross to Paolo Di Canio.
5. Barton then flew into Di Canio from behind during Steve Harper's testimonial
A rash tackle on the Italian manager who was Sunderland's boss at the time. Photo: Shaun Botterill
6. Barton enters into scuffle with Phil Bardsley in the 2011 Wear-Tyne derby
Bardsley was booked for the exchange and ended up getting sent off later on in the game. Photo: Getty
7. After reports linked him with a move from Newcastle to Sunderland
"If I had gone there I would probably have been lynched." Photo: Stu Forster
8. On on ex-Black Cats stopper and Simon Mignolet
"People perhaps forget that he was the Sunderland goalie it's not like he's got top-class pedigree. He's not an international goalkeeper." Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos