Right club, Big Sam’s was all but

BIG Sam Allardyce walked into St James’ Park with a beaming smile as he forecast more success in his big managerial move from Bolton Wanderers.

Allardyce dusted down a table, put down his cup of tea and spoke optimistically about where he felt he could take the Magpies. And at that time, it was exciting to hear, as he was regarded as one of the top bosses in English football, having guided Bolton Wanderers to two top-six finishes and into Europe, signing stars such as Ivan Campo, Youri Djorkaeff, Jay-jay Okocha and Fernando Hierro.

Allardyce, who was whisked up to the Toon by helicopter, told me shortly after being appointed: “At this club, the priority is the Carling and FA Cup, as well as finishing as high as we can in the Premiership. Hopefully, we’ll have the squad to do it.”

Incredibly, just eight days after Freddy

Shepherd had secured a deal to bring Allardyce on board, Mike Ashley barged his way on to the scene after buying Sir

John Hall’s share of the club.

At first, there was talk of Shepherd and Ashley actually working together but a pay-off was reluctantly signed off and the Sports Direct magnate was in full control.

Allardyce quickly signed up players who were regarded as top-flight stars at that time in Alan Smith, Mark Viduka and Geremi.

However, hopes that Ashley would be splashing the cash began to evaporate, despite Newcastle getting off to their best start in years in the Premier League in autumn 2007 as Allardyce’s Newcastle sat in fifth place in the table.

As the nights started to draw in, Newcastle’s performances began to decline under Allardyce and the new manager effect started to wear off. They’d been dumped out of the Carling Cup by Arsenal and hopes now rested on the FA Cup.

But two significant dents in Allardyce’s relationship came when Newcastle lost heavily at home to