Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
COLBACK’S WANTED AGAIN
NEWCASTLE’S forgotten man Jack Colback is a target for Leeds and Birmingham.
Both Championship clubs have been tracking midfielder Colback, 28, in second-string action.
He was courted by Wolves and Hull last summer – but opted to stay and has not played in the first team this season. Toon boss Rafa Benitez has made it clear that Colback (right) is out in the cold and not in his plans.
Benitez said: “He knew from the beginning that we have four or five midfielders and I didn’t want to have six.
“We could not manage to move any more players out at the end of the transfer window and you can’t train as well with as many players.” THE gloves came off as Sam Allardyce delivered a haymaker to those who have questioned his credentials for the Everton job.
Many fans have expressed dismay at the appointment of the veteran boss on an 18-month contract, especially given he was very much a consolation prize when principal owner Farhad Moshiri failed to land his stated primary target Marco Silva.
Watford blocked all moves for their manager, viewed as a young, exciting, potentially top-class candidate, which many have suggested is the opposite of the experienced ex-england boss.
Yet in typically belligerent fashion, Allardyce punched through that argument with a blow that landed squarely on Silva’s chin.
Big Sam said: “Let’s put it this way – if you look at my track record, why wouldn’t I be here irrespective of Marco Silva?
“I have every respect for Marco Silva and I am not criticising Marco Silva, but Marco Silva’s track record has got no comparison whatsoever with mine – because he got Hull City relegated.”
Allardyce scoffed at the notion of living in a world of perception, saying: “At our level we have to live in reality and the reality is that I was spoken to and I pulled out and then I came back in because they felt it was the right thing to do.
“I don’t know what went on before with Marco Silva – whether Marco Silva was before me, after me or in between me.
“All I know is they came for me and I said ‘yes’. I am saying ‘yes’ in Dubai. I am not saying ‘wait and see’... I am coming.”
In fact, Silva (above) was not even Moshiri’s first choice, with more exotic, big names such as Diego
Simeone and Thomas Tuchel on his wish list. But six weeks after the dismissal of Ronald Koeman, Moshiri grasped the reality of Everton’s position, and turned to Allardyce to lift the gathering cloud of relegation gloom engulfing Goodison.
Allardyce insists he is not simply a firefighter but someone who can take the Blues on a journey towards their plans of European football and winning trophies. He explained: “I think my ambition and the club’s ambition is what got me out of sunning it in Dubai.
“My job is to steer them back in the right direction and get back among the European places and cup finals.
“Clubs come and ask me to take over the reins to give a little stability
– but this time I want a lot more than that, really.
“Whatever the perception of me over the years, I’m used to it – but it’s not true of course.
“I’m very confident that it won’t be about just getting the club out of a difficult position and moving up the table.”
Allardyce pointed to his success at Bolton – leading them to sixth place in 2004– 05 and a UEFA Cup spot – as an achievement to try and emulate: “The journey at Bolton could be something that happens here because the ambition is here.”
Allardyce may rest midweek hattrick hero Wayne Rooney for today’s visit of Huddersfield, with Oumar Niasse and Michael Keane returning.