Big Sam fears for Magpies
by Tom Adams, 04 September 2008
Sam Allardyce has warned that Newcastle United are in danger of slipping into Premier League obscurity if they cannot attract new investment.
The Tyneside club are currently in turmoil as a result of the ongoing uncertainty over Kevin Keegan’s position, with the manager absent from training for the past three days despite the club claiming he remains in charge.
It is believed that misgivings over the club’s transfer policy have forced Keegan to consider his position, with midfielder James Milner sold to Aston Villa and only Xisco and Nacho Gonzalez arriving on transfer deadline day.
Quite aside from tensions in the boardroom, former manager Allardyce, who was replaced by Keegan last season, feels owner Mike Ashley must considerably increase his investment in the first team, particularly with Manchester City now enjoying the benefits of a foreign takeover.
Worryingly for Magpies fans, Allardyce has contrasted their fortunes with those of rivals Sunderland, who he feels are pointing in the right direction.
"Can they [Newcastle] still be considered as a leading club? In terms of fan base, history and tradition, yes," said Allardyce in the Sunderland Echo.
"In spending firepower and achievement, no. You have to say they are nearer the bottom than the top.
"To get up there, the modern game demands that a club will require in excess of £100 million to spend on improving the playing staff. When you have another billionaire arriving, like at Manchester City this week, the task becomes harder.
"Look at Sunderland, they've spent £85m in the last year. Niall Quinn and the owners have supported Roy Keane brilliantly. All they have asked for is progress.
"At Newcastle, that's not enough. They have demanding and passionate supporters who want success, they've waited long enough.
"They are used to seeing the club in the top five spenders – even if some of the signings haven't always been good – but that hasn't happened, has it?"
Allardyce also feels Newcastle must quickly resolve the dispute that is threatening to compromise their season before it has properly begun.
"There seems to have been a breakdown in relationships there,” Allardyce added. “From the outside, there's a problem between the manager and those responsible for the transfer policy.
"They're different people in there from my time at the club, such as Dennis Wise and Tony Jiminez.
"Partnerships and relationships are crucial – maybe that's why the talk is about Guy Poyet coming in. He has a relationship with Dennis from their time at Chelsea and Leeds.
"As long as the relationships are right, if the investment is right, then it can be a special club. Jim Smith had his troubles there, but told me he would go through it all again. It has a pull, a lure. You think that you can be the one."