Joey Barton is well known to his wild behaviour, and even marked as one of the premierships Bad Boys. He’s banned to play in Merseyside, facing a trail that could bring him into jail and was not so popular among the Toon Army for months after signing for Newcastle from Manchester City last summer.

But that was he is before Keegan came. It was somebody’s past, an old story of Joey and hopefully he is now what he has shown last Sunday at White Hart Lane. Joey Barton is reborn.

King Keegan believes his performance at Spurs on Sunday was the best he has ever seen from the United midfielder. The 25-year-old’s all-action display during the 4-1 victory at White Hart Lane was the most impressive performance ever and Keegan also admit as the game went on he will definetely just got stronger and stronger.

“I said to him afterwards, ‘That’s the best I have seen you play’.” Said Keegan at the official site, “He had some very good games for me at Man City but I don’t think I have ever seen him as outstanding as that.”

“He was winning tackles, bursting forward and picking out passes and it was his work which set up Oba for the fourth goal.” Keegan added more “And credit to him, he has got some problems off the field which are well documented, but he has come in and trained properly and worked hard and is reaping the rewards now.”

My mate Gallowgate Jim said Joey Barton’s ‘best’ is not an issue for debate. He didn’t just show potential at City. He didn’t just ’show signs’ of one day becoming a good player. He WAS a class act. They were a poor side and he kept them up more or less by himself.

There are plenty of excellent midfielders. But very few of his type. He’s in the Steven Gerrard plus Frank Lampard category -The no frills, total efficiency category.

Completely different to the likes of Alonso, Arteta who are also excellent midfielders in a different way. I’m not saying he’s as good as those two. But he plays a similar game. Good first touch, look up, bang.

This isn’t off the back of one or two good performances. It’s on the basis of a whole season at City where his assists/goals ranked alongside Gerrard and Lampard.

His ability has never been in doubt. It was always an issue of whether we could get him playing like that again. Now there are clear signs that he’s getting back to his best. Every week since Keegan came in and gave him a clean slate he’s improved. Just wait till he starts scoring.

After a court hearing this week, the request from Newcastle United for Barton to featured at both Merseyside fixtures at Anfield on this Saturday, and our final league fixture at Goodison Park on May 11 are both turned down.

For many games, even before Barton’s off-the-field problems, United supporters are often asking about his quality to play for Newcastle. I was first believe he will be the one who is before (in football) and can reduce his bad behaviour under the former Newcastle manager guidance, but the hope is long gone now.

The Anfield show this weekend will be Keegan 150th Premier League game as the manager of Newcastle United. With United, King Kev has 50-50 chance to get good result out there with the old record set to 2 wins and 2 losts.

So that’s the stats from the past, but for today’s reality we were probably will not have any chance this weekend. Without Barton and Emre is still out injured, KK will have to force Alan Smith back to midfield and make a debut start for Oba Martins to play for Newcastle under Keegan.

The other possibility is to add Faye as defensive midfielder and bring in Cacapa to pair with Taylor in defence. Enrique, who is playing against Blackburn last week, on the left-back and push Zogbia up to left-wing while Duff is playing as second line striker.

Joey Barton may have risk after charged with assault and affray for an incident outside a McDonald’s restaurant in his hometown of Liverpool on December 27. Although he has been released from jail he still has to face a trial at Liverpool magistrates court on January 16.

Allardyce would travel to Hampshire after Newcastle’s FA Cup third-round tie against Stoke City tomorrow to meet Barton at Tony Adam’s Sporting Chance Clinic. Barton is staying there as part of the conditions of his bail following his release from prison.

Sporting Chance Clinic was founded in 2000, and began working with patients two years later. Since then it has quickly developed into one of the world’s most innovative centres for the treatment of behavioural problems among professional sports people, and has become an integral tool for a number of football clubs and other sporting organisations.

The Sun reported that chief executive of the Sporting Chance Clinic, Peter Kay, claimed he’d spoken about the incident to Sam Allardyce.

“Joey is very lucky to be at a club with a manager who is experienced and a good man manager. They’ve given him plenty of support.” He said, “He has got a responsibility to the club. His intentions are superb and honourable but you are judged by your actions.”

Big Sam said the Barton’s case was added more pressure for him this month as the United squad become even more thin because of the departure of four first team squad members to the African Cup of Nations.

“I have spoken to Joey just to find out from him and his solicitors what can and can’t be done from our point of view,” said Allardyce, “When we get all that information we will see how we go in terms of him starting training and when he can be selected again.”

Currently, the United lawyers are working to see if he still can play in any Newcastle United match before re-appear in front of Liverpool magistrates on January 16th.

“I’ve only spoken to him on the phone and he has apologised. He is obviously relieved he is out of prison. From there he has got to concern himself about his case and try to sort that out now.” Big Sam added more, “From our point of view, we need to keep him fit to play, if and when he is available again.”

“I’m not getting sucked into talking about how I felt when I was told about what happened. We can talk about that more when we get together face to face but it couldn’t have been worse timing for us and him.”

“I hope to see him after the Stoke game. I’ve got to focus on our FA Cup tie first and then I will go and see him.” Said Allardyce.