Seven managers in the last ten years. How long has Allardyce got?

[Guest Johan]

Hehe, Capello for Newcastle would be great but dont see that happening. Would also rather give Sam a chance.

[KaKa]

With the players at his disposal now I think it will be very difficult for us to lose six games in a row. Even Roeder couldn't manage that.

 

Managers don't lose six games in a row, players do.

 

You're missing the point.

 

Just messing with you. I get where you're coming from.

[Guest Magpiecn]

Ashley will give him 2 seasons I reckon to make his mark. If, in two years we're not looking like challenging for a CL place Ashley will probably boot him, unfortunately.

Totally agree.

[KaKa]

Hehe, Capello for Newcastle would be great but dont see that happening. Would also rather give Sam a chance.

 

Capello would be great?!!!

 

He would be run out of town in my opinion. He would again bring his merry band of old timers from Italy with him and we would play the most defensive, cynical, no pace football you have ever seen.

 

Not a fan of older Italian coaches whose main experiences have been in the Italian leagues. Don't think their brand of football would translate to the premier league at all.

[Parky]

If he doesn't get in Europe he'll be sacked by next summer.

 

Tend to agree. If he doesn't get top 6/7 he will be under extreme pressure.

[Guest trotter58]

He would again bring his merry band of old timers with him and we would play the most defensive, cynical, no pace football you have ever seen.

 

Are we talking about Capello or Allardyce?

[TRon]

Ashley will give him 2 seasons I reckon to make his mark. If, in two years we're not looking like challenging for a CL place Ashley will probably boot him, unfortunately.

Totally agree.

 

If we aren't challenging for a CL in two years the boot would probably be justified given the quality of players we now have. I don't even think it's an issue tbh, I think we will make big progress in the next 6 months, never mind 2 years.

 

 

[Parky]

He would again bring his merry band of old timers with him and we would play the most defensive, cynical, no pace football you have ever seen.

 

Are we talking about Capello or Allardyce?

 

 

 

 

 

Clever. :parky:

[Guest Magpiecn]

Ashley will give him 2 seasons I reckon to make his mark. If, in two years we're not looking like challenging for a CL place Ashley will probably boot him, unfortunately.

Totally agree.

 

If we aren't challenging for a CL in two years the boot would probably be justified given the quality of players we now have. I don't even think it's an issue tbh, I think we will make big progress in the next 6 months, never mind 2 years.

 

 

Waiting to see how the season will be started.But nice to see the progress the team presented in the pre-season games.Now NUFC like a real team.

[KaKa]

He would again bring his merry band of old timers with him and we would play the most defensive, cynical, no pace football you have ever seen.

 

Are we talking about Capello or Allardyce?

 

That's funny ... but Capello ain't got nout on the Allah'dyce.

 

Anyway, out of interest how's little Sam looking? Is he sticking with the 4-3-3 then? Or has he switched things around like he said he would?

 

What do you think your starting lineup will be next week?

[Guest trotter58]

Anyway, out of interest how's little Sam looking? Is he sticking with the 4-3-3 then? Or has he switched things around like he said he would?

 

Sammy Lee has said that the formation he adopts will depend on the opposition but for most of pre-season it's been 4-4-2.

[Mick]

I think if Newcastle finish 8th or above he'll be here this time next year, between 9th and 13th will probably be a bit dangerous for Allardyce, below 13th and he'll probably get shown the door.

 

I think he's being given every chance to remain at the club, if they were looking for a reason to sack him they would probably have set him an impossible target for this year and they haven't, everything is being done to keep him from being under pressure.

[KaKa]

Anyway, out of interest how's little Sam looking? Is he sticking with the 4-3-3 then? Or has he switched things around like he said he would?

 

Sammy Lee has said that the formation he adopts will depend on the opposition but for most of pre-season it's been 4-4-2.

 

Anelka and Diouf upfront? or Anelka and Davies?

 

Diouf isn't being played as a winger in the 4-4-2 is he?

[Dokko]

If he doesn't at least get us the FA cup and finish in the top 4 by January, i can see him being sacked.

 

 

[KaKa]

If he doesn't at least get us the FA cup and finish in the top 4 by January, i can see him being sacked.

 

 

 

 

Wow ... glad you're not running the club.

[TRon]

If he doesn't at least get us the FA cup and finish in the top 4 by January, i can see him being sacked.

 

 

 

That's being too soft...if he doesn't win the treble Ashley should hire a hitman to take him out IMO.

 

 

[Guest trotter58]

Anelka and Diouf upfront? or Anelka and Davies?

 

Diouf isn't being played as a winger in the 4-4-2 is he?

 

Anelka and Davies, although i wouldn't be suprised to see Vaz Te get on at some point. He's been on fire pre-season! If we play 4-4-2, Diouf will play wide. Although the way Sammy Lee likes to play, there is a lot of interchanging of positions.

[Willow]

I think Sam is fantastic for us. I can see him being here a very long time, especially if he improves every year.

 

Thats the key thing, as long as we finish higher in league position year on year then I think he'll be here for a long time.

We need stability and Sam is bringing that right now, can't wait to get stuck in

[Dokko]

If he doesn't at least get us the FA cup and finish in the top 4 by January, i can see him being sacked.

 

 

 

 

Wow ... glad you're not running the club.

 

Why not?

 

Perfectly reasonable expectations.

 

 

[KaKa]

Anelka and Diouf upfront? or Anelka and Davies?

 

Diouf isn't being played as a winger in the 4-4-2 is he?

 

Anelka and Davies, although i wouldn't be suprised to see Vaz Te get on at some point. He's been on fire pre-season! If we play 4-4-2, Diouf will play wide. Although the way Sammy Lee likes to play, there is a lot of interchanging of positions.

 

Good point about Vaz Te, he has been playing well. I've always liked him, and he looks a promising player. Portugal looked so much better in the Under 21 championships after they put him in the starting 11. If they played him in the first team from the start i think they would have at least got through to the next round.

 

The thing is though I think both Vaz Te and Diouf are best as wide forwards in the 4-3-3 and won't be as effective as outright wingers in a 4-4-2, so it should be interesting to see what happens. Really going to be interesting to see how Bolton develops as a team under little Sam. Braaten could certainly be a shrewd signing for you if he gets his head right, and maybe even Whilelmson too.

[La Parka]

If he doesn't at least get us the FA cup and finish in the top 4 by January, i can see him being sacked.

 

 

 

 

Wow ... glad you're not running the club.

 

Why not?

 

Perfectly reasonable expectations.

 

 

 

Serious?!

 

I'd be happy with top 8 to be honest. I'd love it if we did better but there is a lot of competition for places at the top.

[Dokko]

If he doesn't at least get us the FA cup and finish in the top 4 by January, i can see him being sacked.

 

 

 

 

Wow ... glad you're not running the club.

 

Why not?

 

Perfectly reasonable expectations.

 

 

 

Serious?!

 

I'd be happy with top 8 to be honest. I'd love it if we did better but there is a lot of competition for places at the top.

 

Aye, winning the FA cup in January is simple man. 

[Guest Raglanlad]

If he doesn't at least get us the FA cup and finish in the top 4 by January, i can see him being sacked.

 

 

 

 

Wow ... glad you're not running the club.

 

Why not?

 

Perfectly reasonable expectations.

 

 

 

Serious?!

 

I'd be happy with top 8 to be honest. I'd love it if we did better but there is a lot of competition for places at the top.

 

Aye, winning the FA cup in January is simple man. 

 

I agree. In fact, Big Sam should have had a crack at the Community Shield... oh, hold on, that went to penalties.  Best left alone then

[Parky]

I think Sam is fantastic for us. I can see him being here a very long time, especially if he improves every year.

 

Thats the key thing, as long as we finish higher in league position year on year then I think he'll be here for a long time.

We need stability and Sam is bringing that right now, can't wait to get stuck in

 

 

Barring a catastrophic first season I think they should let him see out his contract.

[ChezGiven]

I think Allardyce deserves his own 'official' thread. This'll do though.

 

"Pros and Cons of Sam Allardyce" from The Guardian print edition.

 

Pros

 

Pedigree as man manager.

 

Dertermination to bring club into 21st century.

 

His concentration on the defence

 

Cons

 

His football philosophy

 

His thin skin

 

His association with Sunderland

 

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/08/06/will_allardyce_have_the_style.html

 

Sam Allardyce has walked into a series of small storms at Newcastle, and may need to change to satisfy Toon fans.

Louise TaylorAugust 6, 2007 1:53 AM

Sam Allardyce's players have been toning their muscles by standing on brand-new vibrating machines which, according to one, "turn your insides to burning liquid and make you feel as if you're trapped on top of an express train".

 

Perhaps ominously for Newcastle United's new manager, such disconcerting sensations will be anything but unfamiliar to his recent predecessors. Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit, Sir Bobby Robson, Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder may never have perched on one of those high-tech training-ground toys but they know all about the feelings of powerlessness which have long been synonymous with managing English football's great underachievers.

 

Not for nothing are Newcastle deemed a "high risk" post but Allardyce's challenge is to debunk this gloomy perception by securing the club's first piece of serious silverware since the 1969 Fairs Cup.

 

A man who has been known to sign letters "Big Sam", he definitely does not lack the confidence but only time will tell whether the former Bolton manager is big enough for one of the game's warmest hot seats. Whereas his predecessors contended with the foibles of Freddy Shepherd, who handed him the job, Allardyce must answer to the sportswear retail tycoon Mike Ashley, Newcastle's new owner.

 

On Friday Ashley bizarrely intervened in Kieron Dyer's agreed £6m transfer to West Ham, inflating the price to £8m at the last minute. The deal collapsed, apparently mystifying a disappointed Allardyce who reputedly could not believe his luck in securing £6m for an unwanted midfielder with a history of illness and injury.

 

After seeing Alan Smith score on his debut here yesterday - the former Manchester United forward headed home a corner as Sampdoria were beaten 1-0 - Allardyce toed the party line, insisting "there's no rift". Affecting indignation he added: "We're upset with West Ham; they don't value Kieron as highly as we do.

 

"If Curbs [the West Ham manager, Alan Curbishley] started it then we are more upset than they are. Why? That is confidential.

 

"We decided [Dyer] was undervalued and we escalated the value to what we thought was realistic. Kieron is back with us now. Will it be difficult for Kieron? It's life, isn't it? He has got a contract. You sign it."

 

Nevertheless with Newcastle's debts in excess of £80m, Allardyce - who expects to complete the signing of the Spain Under- 21 left-back José Enrique for £6m from Villarreal today - could have done with the Dyer money, if only to prevent further player sales. Tellingly, despite official denials, club sources insist Obafemi Martins is available for transfer.

 

Yet if he is working against a less than ideal backdrop, Allardyce has creditably sketched out a long-term strategy to treat the root causes of Newcastle's travails rather than merely concealing each mini-crisis with "sticking plaster solutions".

 

Having prioritised preventing the multiple injuries to which Newcastle seem peculiarly prone, the manager has forced through sizeable investment in new medical and training facilities - including those vibrating tables. The benefits, though, will not be instant. Michael Owen is sidelined by a thigh strain, Shay Given damaged his groin yesterday and Joey Barton has sustained the sort of non-preventable injury - a fractured foot - which had Gullit claiming the club was cursed.

 

Disciples of science rather than superstition, Allardyce's army of newly hired fitness experts, some poached from Bolton, are concentrating on dragging the club's training methods towards the 21st century, and the highly rated Steve Round has been recruited to a key coaching role.

 

Although there is universal delight at Allardyce's concentration on rebuilding one of the Premiership's most porous defences at the expense of securing the trophy signings traditionally used to paper over significant structural flaws, many fans fear Boltonesque game plans punctuated by interminable long throws and balls crashed towards the corners.

 

Delighted to support a club punching above its weight, Reebok regulars were not overly bothered about Bolton's modus operandi but Geordies weaned on Kevin Keegan-style attacking flair demand much more. Moreover the 4-3-3 system Allardyce utilised in Lancashire could be controversial, particularly with Owen, who does not fancy operating as a wide attacker in a front three. Newcastle were in 4-4-2 mode yesterday and played in a manner suggesting a compromise between Bolton's hallmark aerial blitzes and the pass-and-move game preached by the unlucky Roeder.

 

Not that Allardyce will be in awe of Owen. Although he does not have previous "big club" managerial experience he boasts a proven track record in handling "big name, big ego" players. Already on Tyneside the infuriatingly underachieving Albert Luque is promising to turn over a new leaf and remind everyone why he once played for Spain.

 

Yet if the knack of taming players other managers shun should serve Allardyce well under Ashley's stewardship, he was used to his word going virtually unquestioned at Bolton. It will be different on Tyneside where everyone has a, usually strong, opinion on football and Geordies relish exercising their free speech.

 

As Dalglish can tell him, Allardyce will soon learn that, at Newcastle, "winning ugly" rarely proves quite enough. If all that commendable long-term thinking is to come to fruition, "Big Sam's" football philosophy may need to change.