YOU cannot concede goals at this level as early as the Clarets did and expect to get something out of the game.

Going two-down after just nine minutes, it was practically game over against Reading even at that early stage.

There were chances, of course, enough over the 90 minutes to perhaps even win the game in the end.

But the way they started so uncharacteristically sloppily was their undoing.

Despite the abundance of strikers we have to choose from it was left to the outstanding right back, Tendayi Darikwa, to pull a goal back.

But what really impressed me, and I believe made the biggest difference to our performance, was the introduction of Joey Barton for his first game in a Burnley shirt.

The fans who I spoke with after the game were full of praise for his performance, which was good to hear.

Barton was very dominant in his distribution and with him running the show in midfield it gives me hope for our chances of achieving something this season.

The middle of the park has been our weakness this season and the team which finished the game looks a very solid outfit, even though we didn’t get the win.

Barton’s presence gave Scott Arfield the opportunity to be back on the wing, and he responded almost immediately by making Darikwa’s goal. He looked very comfortable out there and I’m pleased that he’s got his chance in that position.

I’d expect Barton to start on Friday now, so if that means Arfield is on one wing it will be interesting to see who is on the other, because I felt that the determination of Michael Kightly alone is worth a place in the team. I don’t think George Boyd has really shown up yet this season. He’s certainly not delivered the type of performances he was in the Premier League last term.

But Barton make a big difference and what he offered when he came on was encouraging going into Friday night’s game at Rotherham, after such a poor start.

That was obviously the biggest factor in Burnley suffering a first home defeat, but I’m sure the manager has already start to put mistakes wrong down at Gawthorpe on the training pitch.

On paper, Friday should be an away win for the Clarets, but they will not find Rotherham easy after they went to Birmingham on Saturday and ran out 2-0 winners.

The managerial departure there is bound to have an effect on the players – usually it’s a positive one because the players are out to impress whoever the replacement is.

But Burnley just have to concentrate on themselves, and hopefully Sam Vokes can start putting away the chances he’s been getting.