One highlight from Newcastle's defeat at Reading was Joey Barton's full debut for the Toon.
"Obviously, he'll get better and better as time goes on. That's going to be very important, like every other player staying fit and getting sharper and sharper off match practice.
"The more games we get, the sharper he'll become as times go on. I think two or three more games, and he'll pick up it pretty quickly.
"On the basis of today's performance, energy-wise he's OK, but he's a little rusty in possession. He took a little bit too much time in possession, but saying that, that's Reading at their best."
All in all it was a bad day for United at the Madejski Stadium, and when I asked if there were any positives, without hesitating Allardyce replied: "Only Joey, for me."
