Ashley in Sam reprieve

[khay 10]

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley says Sam Allardyce's future as Magpies manager will not be decided by the outcome of the crucial clash with Arsenal.

 

The Newcastle boss has come under pressure following a poor run of results and needs a morale-boosting performance against the Gunners.

 

Allardyce sends his players out against the Premier League leaders desperate to end a five-game run without a win as the Toon Army enter a pivotal few weeks in the run-up to Christmas.

 

But Newcastle's billionaire owner Ashley is not going to heap any more pressure on Allardyce ahead of an already testing encounter with Arsene Wenger's men.

 

"I'll be at the game and there is nothing to in the suggestion that it all comes to and end with Sam if we lose to Arsenal. That's nonsense," Ashley told the Daily Express.

 

However, Ashley has stopped short of giving the former Bolton boss a vote of confidence and it appears more likely home games against Birmingham and Derby and trips to Wigan and Fulham will determine Allardyce's future at St James' Park.

 

Big Sam himself has admitted he feared his side's slump might have come earlier in his reign.

 

The Magpies have not won since beating Tottenham 3-1 on 22nd October and they have collected just a single point since.

 

Advance

 

Allardyce said: "When we beat Tottenham at home on the Monday night, things were moving well in advance of where I thought they would go.

 

"I thought we might have had a stickier period earlier on and we did not do that.

 

"Now the sticky period has hit us and we are five games in without a win.

 

"That can happen and you just have to make sure you keep believing and put it right as quickly as possible.

 

"Trying to get the victory now as quickly as possible is key to settling everybody down.

 

"Other teams are into eight and nine and even double figures without a victory. But here at Newcastle, two games without a victory is not acceptable.

 

"You have got to accept that and make sure when you are over it, it does not recur again."

 

Allardyce's plans for this evening are once again being disrupted by injuries with defenders Abdoulaye Faye and Stephen Carr having succumbed just days after returning to fitness.

 

Steven Taylor could shake off a back problem to take his place in the squad, but the manager knows whichever 11 men he sends out against the Gunners, they will have to perform to their maximum to stop the rot.

[ewerk 31600]

Giving him the four games after tonight seems like a sensible idea to me.

[Kevin Carr's Gloves 4090]

Giving him the four games after tonight seems like a sensible idea to me.

 

 

Aye sounds sensible. Still not as good as a champions league cup final director obviously and shamefacedly has a plan for the club which is ridiculous but that doesnt sound to stupid.

[luckyluke 2]

Giving him the four games after tonight seems like a sensible idea to me.

 

 

Aye sounds sensible. Still not as good as a champions league cup final director obviously and shamefacedly has a plan for the club which is ridiculous but that doesnt sound to stupid.

 

 

You need to learn how to use commas.

[Kevin Carr's Gloves 4090]

Giving him the four games after tonight seems like a sensible idea to me.

 

 

Aye sounds sensible. Still not as good as a champions league cup final director obviously and shamefacedly has a plan for the club which is ridiculous but that doesnt sound to stupid.

 

 

You need to learn how to use commas.

 

You need to get outside.

[JawD 99]

 

Anyway, Ive said a few times, for me the biggest test isnt against Arsenal, but against the games following that we should be winning. We'll have a much better idea where we are come Xmas. But it has to start on Saturday with brum. If we get the points that we should get from those, and we still sit 13-10th then it probaly what Id have expected. Finishing the year 12-9th is also what I expect with progress from that next year. Not that Ill like it, because I really dont like his style. More so now that Im seeing it first hand. But at the moment, we have neither a style or results and that needs to change.

[luckyluke 2]

Giving him the four games after tonight seems like a sensible idea to me.

 

 

Aye sounds sensible. Still not as good as a champions league cup final director obviously and shamefacedly has a plan for the club which is ridiculous but that doesnt sound to stupid.

 

 

You need to learn how to use commas.

 

You need to get outside.

 

It's cold and dark and I want to make my dinner. You fucking go outside.