Newcastle United FC

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Duff: Lay off Allardyce

28 Dec 2007 - 08:05:21

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Newcastle United winger Damien Duff has urged disgruntled supporters to lay off under-fire manager Sam Allardyce.

The future of the former Bolton Wanderers boss has been brought into question for the second time this season after the disappointing 1-0 Boxing Day defeat at struggling Wigan Athletic.

The St James' Park crowd had also turned on Allardyce after they were held to a 2-2 draw by rock-bottom Derby County last weekend.

However, Duff has called for patience and believes he and his team-mates should take most of the criticism for their recent poor results.

"Newcastle is obviously a big club, but we all love the gaffer," said the Republic of Ireland international.

"We are behind him and we just want to put it right for him. He cannot take all the flak.

"We are the ones on the pitch - so don't hammer him, hammer us."