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Allardyce takes the poisoned chalice

Premiership Newcastle United

by Phil McNulty - BBC Sport (U1816352) 15 May 2007

Sam Allardyce is the latest manager unable to resist the temptation to sip from the poisoned chalice that is Newcastle United.

The former Bolton boss insisted he would be taking a break from football when he resigned last month following a successful spell at The Reebok.

And some cynics might suggest he will get one by taking on the task of delivering St James' Park's first trophy since the Inter Cities Fairs Cup in 1969.

This is because Newcastle have occasionally represented the game's equivalent of the madhouse, rather than a club of standing with one of the biggest and most loyal support bases in the game.

It will take a big man to manage the huge weight of over-expectation at a club that loves to portray itself as one of the giant Premiership institutions, without actually coming close to silverware in 38 years.

And Allardyce will need all his force of personality and uncompromising approach to lift the curse that appears to have descended on Tyneside when it comes to success.

Allardyce's appointment has already divided opinion in Newcastle, based on the perceived long-ball, physical style his detractors claim he employed at Bolton.

No end of Opta statistics, or details of any number of backroom scientific experts employed at Bolton, will disabuse some fans of the notion that his approach was actually based on getting the ball to Kevin Davies and hoping for the best.

Allardyce will argue vehemently against that - and his success at Bolton suggests there is far more to his approach than meets the eye.

Big Sam may also respectfully suggest to his Newcastle critics that beggars can't be choosers, given their singular failure to land big prizes.

He must also convince certain figures in a the hugely-powerful Newcastle media, who were openly and savagely critical of Allardyce and methods during his time at Bolton.

It will be interesting to see if they change their tune now.

Throw in the fact that Sunderland have surged into the Premiership under the charismatic Roy Keane, a man who knows what is required at a big club and is ruthlessly driven, and you can see why the Toon Army are insecure about their current status in the North-East.

This is all before Allardyce actually gets down to the task of managing a football club that is always in close proximity to the self-destruct button.

Allardyce will need to rejuvenate a mediocre team that is seemingly split by discontent - and resolve the future of the England striker who still represents their best chance of achieving success.

The job was too big for Glenn Roeder. The credits were rolling for him once he produced little more than a tactically-naive surrender against AZ Alkmaar in the Uefa Cup.

And since his departure, the skeletons have come tumbling out of the cupboard, with Obefami Martins mysteriously declaring himself unfit to play at Watford.

Charles N'Zogbia was jettisoned for preferring to send texts rather than listen to a team talk, and the normally tactiturn Nicky Butt has been moved to criticise team-mates he feels would rather be elsewhere.

A happy ship to join then, Sam.

Allardyce, who has not managed a so-called big club before, first needs to inject a large dose of reality into Newcastle.

He needs to deliver a sharp reminder about the club's history and success - or more pertinently the lack of it.

Allardyce is not following some unbroken glory trail. He is following almost 40 barren years and no-one should insist he comes with a guarantee of success.

Newcastle attract big crowds and spend big money.

But a big club?

Not if you measure that particular statistic by their success in the last 38 years.

Using that yardstick, Sunderland have got the edge on their arch-rivals.

Allardyce needs to re-inforce a defence that occasionally represents the next best thing to an open goal, and rid the dressing room of the shirkers who let Roeder and Newcastle down so badly.

And then we come to Michael Owen.

Owen's time on Tyneside has been wrecked by injury and his public image has taken a bit of a pasting after his return to fitness was accompanied by rumours he may be ready to leave.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd, who for all his critics has always backed managers with cash, has demanded loyalty from Owen.

It is an understandable ploy but whether it is a wise one remains to be seen.

The bottom line is that Owen is fiercely ambitious and lives for winning medals.

He will not fill the gaps in his collection - the title and the Champions League - at Newcastle.

Allardyce will need to be at his most persuasive to keep Owen at Newcastle but my money would be on the England striker quitting, if one of the big four come in for him.

This may seem harsh on Newcastle, but when they bought Owen they did not buy sentiment and romance they bought one of the most ruthless and single-minded figures in world sport.

Newcastle put clauses in his contract to secure his services and fight off a return to Liverpool - they cannot squeal should he choose to exercise them.

So there is the task facing Allardyce.

Win over critics in the crowd and the media. Improve a mediocre team. Rebuild a broken dressing room. Convince Michael Owen to stay at Newcastle.

And win their first trophy in nearly 40 years.

Welcome to Newcastle, Sam.

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comment by Youcannotbeserious (U2138416)

posted May 22, 2007

Have to say that I'm quite surprised about all this negative stuff 'bout Sam - OK, he's not won anything, but that's not to say he hasn't achieved, is it?
You must breath in pessimism instead of oxygen up in Newcastle. Show the poor bloke some support!

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comment by Davethemag (U7900621)

posted May 22, 2007

No one deserves success it comes through hard work, professionalism and leadership. Three things NUFC have not had for a long time, Allardyce is a strong minded man who is professional he will make the players work hard or they will be gone.

I am optimistic about the next two or three years as long as he is given a chance. Don't beleive what the press say wait and see for yourselves with your own eyes what he does. I agree with Allardyce about what they say being sour grapes (Mr Arsey Whinger) when they lose to his teams and the press having an axe to grind against him.
By the way NUFC did not enjoy playing against Bolton ... why? ... because he picked on our weakness at centre half every time we played!

Come on Sam!

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comment by longslog (U8374945)

posted May 27, 2007

newcastle u needs big money;a takeover by the right people seems to be the only way the fans are going to get quality players.If there is nothing in the coffers then the fans will have a another disappointing season even if owens plays.I cannot help to bring this topic up but if players were paid on results then we would see a different game.

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comment by Eddiegx1 (U8484958)

posted May 27, 2007

Well I am sorry for all the people out there who are negative, as a Bolton Fan I was gutted to see Big Sam leave, but we have been saying for years that he would now he has gone to Newcastle he will be given a large transfer purse, had he been given the same amount at BWFC i have no doubt that he would have had us breaking into the top 4, but sadley it was not to be. So good luck to all at NUFC if anyone can break the run of bad luck I have every faith that it will be Big Sam, Good luck Sam for the future most of us wish you well but don't expect an easy ride when you come to the fortress lol, And to all those narrow minded biggotts who can't see beyond there own team and enjoy a good game of football no matter who s playing then I don't think they have a right to comment on anything.

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comment by toonwed (U8450273)

posted May 29, 2007

"without actually coming close to silverware in 38 years." As said before how can the 'chief sports writer' get away with saying this, in the 15 years alone we've been in two FA cup finals, UEFA cup semi final and were at one stage 12 points clear at the top of the premiership! And not to mention several seasons of european football both in the champions league and UEFA Cup! So lets sum up: Premier League runners up 1995-96, 1996-97, FA Cup runners up 1998, 1999, PLayed in UEFA CUP 94-95, 96-97, 99-00, 03-04, 04-05, 06-07, Played in CHAMPS LEAGUE 97-98, 02-03.

Not bad for a team who havnt come close to winning anything and a team who the "sports writer" above is clearly trying to imply is not a big club!

And now under Sam Allardyce, may not have any trophies to his name but who would have thought when he took over at Bolton at the end of 99 that not only would he have them securely in the premiership but also consistently challenging for Eurpean football!And for most of this current season even looked like they were in contention for a champions league spot! So if he can achieve that in 8 years on a very tight budget then why write him off!? I believe given the time and the funds, but also the freedom to manage the club his way, the skys the limit. And with the club takeover from the billionaire Mike Ashley looking imminent im sure allardyce will be given sufficient resources! Im not saying success will be instantaneous but I think the future is bright for this 'mediocre' club!

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comment by artetarocksmyboat (U5909551)

posted May 29, 2007

number 600. wahey. newcastle will become good under allardyce and i reckon with everton, tottenham, blackburn they might be going for those uefa spots or maybe even liv/arses champs spot.

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comment by TheCleaver (U9401249)

posted Jan 9, 2008

Well the Big Sam optimism lasted 8 months.

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comment by Beantown Fan (U1930562)

posted Jan 9, 2008

comment by Beantown Fan
posted May 15, 2007

To say I didn't see Sam Allardyce taking the Newcastle job would be a lie. His position at Bolton was a bit too rocky after he basically begged to be considered for the England job last May, Bolton in 50 great UEFA Cup runs couldn't break into the Top 4, and if the biggest name your club can attract is "Nicolas Anelka", then you have to worry.

The moment he stepped down from the Bolton job, it was inevitable.

With Newcastle, for too long they've been young-pretenders, they get close, but never seems close enough. Now it's for "Big Sam" to stop the rot of a once respectable club, but after the Bobby Robson saga, has kinda lost my sympathy. But my opinion doesn't matter, a football club is a football club.

Just all I know is (and this must be the 4th time I've had to say this in 7 years or so) "Newcastle fans have to give the new manager time and hopefully they'll learn that consistancy is the only way forward".

______________________

Hmm... is it going to be 5th time in 8 years?

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comment by First of the Gang (U7081173)

posted Jan 9, 2008

" and if the biggest name your club can attract is "Nicolas Anelka", then you have to worry ".

Typical arrogant comment from an ignorant, glory-hunting-plastic-fan-on-the-MU-bandwagon numpty

Any ' REAL ' football an will admit that Anelka going to Bolton was a fantastic capture for the Whites, and that he is a world-class act .. as big a name as the best at OT in fact .....

You're just gutted because you lot can't afford him

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comment by Beantown Fan (U1930562)

posted May 29, 2008

Called L� Sulk for a reason. He plays when he WANTS to play. Bolton deserve better! A team of hardworkers like that, and then Anelka. Anelka cared so much for Bolton, he jumped ship to Chavski! Now when I said "all they can attract is Nicolas Anelka", I meant in a "I'm a mercenary" kinda level. Seems like he's off away from Chavski and all!

Anelka = mercenary/journeyman!

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