Allardyce – I am Under Pressure
3rd January, 2008
Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce has admitted his position at the club is becoming increasingly precarious after watching his side slump to a third successive defeat.
Despite a recent public backing from clib chairman Chris Mort, the 53-year-old manager concended: "The support is great, but at the end of the day, the pressure still mounts, it mounts despite that support.
"A team like us should not be losing at home. A team like us should not be losing three games on the trot."
Wednesday saw Manchester City visit St James Park and walk away with all the points following a 2-0 win. This followed losses to Chelsea, Wigan, and a draw with bottom club Derby.
Allardyce said: "I am not daft enough not to know that I am in the results business and I need to win some football matches.”
"That's clear, but I will have to look at the encouraging performances today and at Chelsea and look to get the right decisions from the players at the right times.”
"With that and a bit of luck, we can look to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal, but we are creating chances."
Newcastle visit the Britannia Stadium this weekend to face Championship side Stoke in the FA Cup, where a loss could be catastrophic for the manager.
"They will fancy it now won't they? They will think we are there for the taking," he said.
"We have got to stick together and believe that how we can play can get us out of trouble. That starts at Stoke."
But he added that a win on Sunday could spark Newcastle's season into life.
"The FA Cup relieves the pressure of the Premier League. It is not the same competition and it is a straight knockout," he said.
"You have got one chance and we have to make sure we take it and not miss the opportunity to get into the next round because that could be a confidence-booster and turn our Premier League performances, which are good, into results.
"But it is a tough month for us."
Newcastle range from 25/1 with Betfair to 12/1 with Betfred to be relegated this season.
