Defeat At Stoke - The End For Allardyce!

Last updated : 03 January 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

Allardyce: "The support is great, but at the end of the day, the pressure still mounts, it mounts despite that support.

"It mounts on us all, but on me in particular because we have lost a game at St James' Park we should not have lost.

"Now it is three defeats on the trot. The pressure grows because a team like us should not be losing at home, a team like us should not be losing three games on the trot.

"We have got to stick together and believe that how we can play can get us out of trouble. That starts at Stoke.

"For me, no. I am not thinking about that side of it at all, but I am not daft enough not to know that I am in the results business and I need to win some football matches.

"That's clear, but I will have to look at the encouraging performances today and at Chelsea and look to get the right decisions from the players at the right times.

"With that and a bit of luck, we can look to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal - but we are creating chances.

"They (Stoke) will fancy it now won't they? They will think we are there for the taking.

"The FA Cup relieves the pressure of the Premier League - it is not the same competition and it is a straight knockout.

"You have got one chance and we have to make sure we take it and not miss the opportunity to get into the next round because that could be a confidence-booster and turn our Premier League performances, which are good, into results.

"But it is a tough month for us."

After Stoke, the Magpies have to face Manchester United and Arsenal away either side of Bolton's visit to Tyneside.