Source: Telegraph
Sam Allardyce: Newcastle fans have no reason to dislike me
It is just over a year since Allardyce was handed his P45 by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and that is why he will have a point to prove when the Premier League rivals face each other at Ewood Park on Saturday.[LNB]Some 4,000 Newcastle fans are expected to cross the Pennines for the game to back Joe Kinnear's side but Allardyce, sacked to make way for Kevin Keegan, insisted that any taunting from the away end will be misguided.[LNB]"My question is why should I get any stick?" Allardyce said.[LNB]"Newcastle had 26 points when I was sacked and we were 11th. There seems to be a perception put about that I did a bad job even though, in our first 10 games, we had the best start for a decade.[LNB]"If you look at Kevin's and Joe's record, I think mine stands up against theirs." [LNB]The 54-year-old added he is not even sure he will be subject to abuse from members of the Toon Army.[LNB]"I'm not sure I'm as badly thought of up there as a lot of people claim," the former Bolton manager added.[LNB]"When we went to Blyth for our FA Cup tie, I was told I was going to get it, and I've never signed so many autographs and posed for so many photos.[LNB]"There was the odd one shouting 'you fat *******', but I get that wherever I go!" [LNB]Allardyce emerged from managerial exile to take over from Paul Ince at Blackburn and is now concentrating on a relegation scrap that has embroiled a host of clubs – including Newcastle.[LNB]"I'm not really thinking about Newcastle. I'm focusing on the team I'm now managing," he continued.[LNB]"I'd like nothing more than to win to get the three points and get nearer to getting out of that bottom three.[LNB]"They're another Premier League team in proximity to us and, it being a home game, we must try our very best to get the win, but of course it'll mean a little extra to beat them." [LNB]Despite the blemish on his CV, Allardyce does not regret taking over at Newcastle.[LNB]"I've got no regrets about going to Newcastle. It was the right club at the wrong time," said Allardyce.[LNB]"I couldn't look into the future and see what was going to happen, nobody could. I thought it was going to be a big chance to spend big money, but it didn't turn out to be the case.[LNB]"My time there was not a disaster like some people make it out to be. The first 10 games were a big, big bonus for me. It was a really good achievement.[LNB]"I had changed the vast majority of the playing and the back room staff, and those back room people are all still employed throughout the leagues, many in the Premier League.[LNB]"They're very good at what they do. I chose the right staff for Newcastle, and I don't think I have to justify myself.[LNB]"I have a record which stands me in good stead, and it's there for everyone to see.[LNB]"I've been very successful based on the resources available for me to work with. I don't have to prove myself again.[LNB]"Look at the eight years when I was at Bolton as well. I delivered sustainable success relative to the size of the club, and I'm quietly confident the same can be done at Blackburn if we continue as we have in our last three games."[LNB]
