Sam: Magpies starting to gel
09 Dec 2007 - 13:04:41
Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce believes his new-look side is beginning to gel after Saturday's last-gasp 2-1 victory over Birmingham City.
Habib Beye's late winner at St James' Park further eased the pressure on Allardyce, and afterwards the Magpies chief was in a jubilant mood.
Their first victory in seven Premier League games moved Newcastle back inside the top half of the table.
"They're starting to get to know each other," said Allardyce. "Charles N'Zogbia linking up was important, but James Milner is a well-established Premier League player at 21 and can only go on from here.
"Joey Barton is coming to fruition and he has played three games this week for the first team this season and has not looked fatigued.
"Alan Smith up front and Steven Taylor at the back are doing well, and the players are starting to get to know each other.
"The players are now giving of their best on a regular basis.
"It is a really, really big three points. Nothing else really mattered today but three points and we got them.
"We have worked very, very hard over the last seven days - Blackburn and then Arsenal and now Birmingham - and now finally got what we deserved.
"Birmingham, for us, is a winnable game. It would have been a huge disappointment had we not won this game."
