Allardyce Feeling the Pressure
4th December, 2007
Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce has admitted that he is under severe pressure to turn the club’s fortunes around after a run of dismal results.
This turn around may be put back even further by the visit of Arsenal on Wednesday, not helped by the recent reports of player unrest and growing criticism from fans. Allardyce said: "There's no point beating around the bush. Yes, I'm under the cosh and, yes, I've got to get results sooner rather than later. We're having a bad time in terms of results, but it can be turned around as quickly as it's gone bad."
There has also been increased speculation in the media that Newcastle legend Alan Shearer is already being lined up as Allardyce’s successor, should the Toon Army fail to put in a performance at home midweek. Learning of the news, Allardyce commented: "If Alan decides to take my job, I hope it'll be when I've decided to leave because I've made the club successful. And he'll be taking over a club that I've improved significantly, like what happened with Sammy Lee and Bolton, but if it's the other way then you have to live with it."
The bookies do not hold much confidence in a Newcastle win - Bet 365 have priced them at 5/1, whilst the draw is still a long shot at 11/4. Arsenal are 8/13 to take all three points.
Commenting on the supposed player unrest, he said that: "My private discussions with players and staff are exactly that. Players are not happy about a lot of the stuff I do because they're players and I'm the manager.
"I'm the man who knows what's right for them and I know it more than they do. That's why I sit in this chair. It's immaterial.”
"When you're having a bad time there are always elements and factors trying to make a big deal of things. Today's politically correct society believes that that's a disruption, but that's an everyday occurrence as a manager.”
"Somebody will have a problem with something or other, whether it's how you go about the week, wanting to play, off the field. There's always something a player doesn't like. Some of it sneaks into the papers.”
"Whoever did it might think it's making a point, but it will only make me more resilient and stronger. I just find it disappointing it ends up in the paper, but that's life."
