The Toon goalkeeper tried to talk to Brazilian Claudio Caçapa in Spanish, and wondered why he wasn't getting an answer.Someone had to tell the Irishman they speak Portuguese in Brazil.
Allardyce Lays Down The Law ... In English!
The Toon goalkeeper tried to talk to Brazilian Claudio Caçapa in Spanish, and wondered why he wasn't getting an answer.Someone had to tell the Irishman they speak Portuguese in Brazil.
But Sam Allardyce is sick of the communication problems he has had, what with players from 14 countries and five continents trying to reach each other on a level playing ground.
He has warned his players they "must speak English" after imposing a rule that all conversations at Newcastle's training ground must be conducted in HIS language.
Allardyce: "It has got to be one language for all when we're training and playing.
"It's difficult to communicate in English on a continual basis when you are not good at it, but although you can communicate with one or two players who might speak French or some other language, it isn't the answer.
"At the times when the lads are together on a casual basis - when training has finished, when they're together in the dining room - I don't mind them moving back into their own language.
"But when we move into the training areas and start training, all the lads have to communicate in English and that communication has to spill over onto the pitch.
"These players are picking up English well. Habib and Claudio were limited. But they're starting to put sentences together more and more.
"I've told them that they've got to speak to me in English, they've got to tell me what their problems are in the English language, because that's the only way we'll get them sorted out.
"The players have to pick up English as soon as they can. They're doing that - they're getting their lessons and they'll only improve in the future."