Sam Allardcye was a very good choice to be Newcastle’s new manager last May.
He was first choice when Bobby Robson was sacked in August of 2004 but elected to stay at Bolton at that time.
Following the successful start to the season yesterday, let’s look at some of the reasons why Big Sam and Newcastle seem to fit together hand in glove.
Big Sam – Newcastle perfect club for Allardcye
There are a number of reasons.
- Allardyce is a very strong personality and the Newcastle job is not going to be too much for him. He likes to be in the limelight and he likes to manage a club with the support and backing of Newcastle. It’s certainly a step up from Bolton for him – if only in terms of the funds he will be given.
- Sam Allardyce gets the best out of his players. That alone at Newcastle can guarantee him a good season because there’s no doubt our squad is good – it’s just that for too many years the players have underperformed. Sam can change that.
- Allardyce handles star players very well – you never heard of any problems with his players at Bolton – and they always seemed to give 100% on the field. Allardyce had to pick up a lot of older players – because he didn’t have the finances for younger more expensive players.
- Sam knows a lot about players available in the transfer market and has great persuasive powers to get his man. He also does his homework on players before the transfer windows open so he is ready to sign players quickly at reasonable prices. He has managed this summer to tempt Viduka, Geremi and Cacapa – all experienced and skillful players, to Newcastle on free transfers. We don’t expect him to stop this kind of acquisition in the future just because big money may become available to him.
- Sam’s training methods will ensure Newcastle players will be fitter than almost any others this season. He also hopes to reduce Newcastle’s perennial injury problems by implementing improved training methods , and faster recovery procedures at the training ground in Benton.
So don’t be surprised this season if Sam brings us some instant success on Tyneside. Certainly we shouldn’t get too carried away with yesterday’s result – and the possibilities – Sam certainly won’t. Although it was a really good performance against Bolton.
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
Jeff D
Aug 12, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Comment #1Big sam is a proven and respected manager in the premiership.I am convinced that the silverware will be delivered under him.The comments by the bolton chairman yesterday certainly fired up Big Sam, and the team. I bet he wishes that he’d kept his big stupid ugly face shut now.
I am equally convinced that bolton will go down this season. I dont think that Wee sam is a manager.He is a fair coach at best,and is well out of his depth managing. I do have a soft side for wee sam because he looks like my nanna, but that aside, he will take bolton down.Deep down i bet every bolton fan feels the same.
stjames
Aug 12, 2007 at 1:14 PM
Comment #2Oh yes. Sam is a good signing. Excellent signing. My theory is that Sam wants to win the PL. There aren’t too many clubs that can ferry a manager towards that title so if you have this ambition you have to plan. And Sam has planed carefully.
Last spring he saw what was coming with GR and made himself available at the “right” time. The dying season was history for both clubs and and the best time of the year for changing managers lay ahead. The time was relatively convenient for BW, who were loosing a manager, and very convenient for NU, who would soon be hiring a manager. This was important if you wanted the change to happen in a decent manner. So, if my theory is right, we are now witnessing the first steps towards a real titlerun with Big Sam.
HOW ABOUT THAT?
George
Aug 12, 2007 at 2:03 PM
Comment #3Unlike Roeder and Souness, Sam Allerdyce does get the respect of his peers. You have to earn that respect and SA has done that in what is without doubt the best league in the world.
What i like about SA is the quiet way in which he has gone about his business at SJP, kept a low profile and pretty much not talked to the press. (Maybe this is why they keep making up stories cos no one is telling them owt).
Yesterday he could have really embarrassed the heirarchy at Bolton. but he did not. He kept a respectable silence. He was gracious towards Sammy Lee, but the little shit did not deserve it because like many others he had a dig at SA. SA is dignified like old Bobby Robson, only difference, i dont think we will find the likes of Kieron Dyer and the likes telling SA that he is not going to play in certain positions.
Nick
Aug 12, 2007 at 4:10 PM
Comment #4Well, let’s us not get too carried away. It is but only one game right 😉 Let’s see how this season goes. I said at the beginning of the pre-season, a good showing at Bolton would signal that we are on the right track. That has been done … which is good of course. It is a long season, let’s see where the team will be come Christmas that would be another yardstick. I am still not convinced yet, the years of under-achievement has left me cynical and skeptical. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed nonetheless 😉
rich
Aug 12, 2007 at 6:26 PM
Comment #5i think we will give it a good run this season, i thin we will finish top 7…. but beware Man U & Cherlski cuz next season well be in europe and we will have a squad and a half 🙂
no injuries yesterday!! WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!
MightyMilburn
Aug 12, 2007 at 6:59 PM
Comment #6I agree with you – Nick.. We have taken one small but a very important step in the right direction.. The following is an old and used cliche but it does have some truth to it.. “you are never better than your last game” meaning if the team doesnt show up for the game against the Villans on Saturday (like Bolton didnt yesterday) we could loose the momentum before we ever really got started..
This team has been notoriously frustrating to watch in recent season – one game great (ok – lets keep it at “good”) and then the next awful.. For some reason we get all hyped up about ourselves and forget to put in the graft and passion.. You dont win the PL by believing you are the champions after one (nice) win..
Like the rest of the toon army – I am very very excited about the new season.. I had my doubts about BSA but so far he has been a superb signing.. FFS FINALLY got one thing right during his 10-year tenure at NUFC..
Lets see after the first 10-15 games if we are as good as we are starting to believe we are.. Self-confidence is good, but self-indulgence will kill you off (Mr. Dyer..)
To break into the top 4 we will need a long term strategy in place.. and the money to spend for top top players.. I mean look at Manure.. They won the league last year – and then they went out and bought 4 great signings.. We still have a long way to go before we are back challenging for honors – consistently..
But dreaming about it is always nice..
stjames
Aug 12, 2007 at 9:03 PM
Comment #7I understand you only too well Nick.
But the thing is that not many clubs can carry you to the top and what is more, – not many managers have the ambition to realy go after THE TITLE. Most of them are thinking only to secure their position in the middle of the table, a place in European football or a cup title maybe. I think this is not enough for Sam. That’s why he left BW and joined us. My feeling is that his long term target (3-6 years maybe) is the PL title and that we are very lucky to have a manager that has both intention and ability to go after it. That’s the way I see it.
Graeme
Aug 13, 2007 at 3:31 PM
Comment #8I have to agree with St James. BSA has the ambition to win the Premiership, backed up by a Management team that MUST want the same thing, or why buy the club??.
With continued investment in improving the team BSA will build for Europe and the Premiership, Mike Ashley and his team will harness that momentum in his own business ventures. A very nice win/win situation all round!!!!!
I’m looking forward to enjoying the ride.