Is Allardyce Clueless?
NEWCASTLE: Harper, Taylor, Faye, Cacapa (Rozehnal 18), Jose Enrique (Martins 57), N'Zogbia, Butt, Barton, Milner (Emre 69), Smith, Owen.
Subs Not Used: Forster, Geremi.
PORTSMOUTH: James, Pamarot, Distin, Campbell, Johnson, Davis, Muntari (Pedro Mendes 87), Diop, Utaka, Kranjcar, Mwaruwari (Kanu 76).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Lauren, Taylor.
Att: 51,490
Newcastle's unbeaten home record was torn to shreds within 11 minutes as Portsmouth claimed a fourth successive away victory with a stunning first-half salvo at St James' Park.
The Magpies capitulated in embarrassing fashion in the early period of the game, leaving some Toon fans asking for the return of Kevin Keegan and/or Alan Shearer.
Noe Pamarot's eighth-minute piledriver got Pompey off to the perfect start, but Harry Redknapp's men were in dreamland when first Benjani Mwaruwari and then John Utaka made the most of woeful defending to effectively seal victory with 79 minutes still to play.
Noe Pamarot's eighth-minute piledriver got Pompey off to the perfect start, but Harry Redknapp's men were in dreamland when first Benjani Mwaruwari and then John Utaka made the most of woeful defending to effectively seal victory with 79 minutes still to play.
Sol Campbell's 15th-minute own goal gave Sam's side hope, but Niko Kranjcar drilled a 70th-minute free-kick from an improbable angle to end their hopes.
The Magpies, who were booed off both at half-time and on the final whistle, now face a derby trip to Sunderland next weekend knowing they must improve markedly if they are to end their dreadful run of results on the road and restore pride.
Nicky Butt picked up a booking and will be suspended for the derby, and Shay Given will miss the match due to injury.
The scoreline was bad, but the way the Magpies looked clueless from start to finish was a serious concern for the Geordie faithful.
No matter how you look at it ... this was a horror performance. Joey Barton looked well off the pace; Alan Smith will NEVER be a target-man; the back-line fell apart like a pack of cards; and Michael Owen again looked jaded and uninterested.
Allardyce said his team "lost it's shape" but I don't think many out there knew what system they were supposed to play!
The system gets changed every match, and it was no surprise Pompey's tried and trusted 4-3-2-1 gave them an advantage simply because their players knew what positions they were filling.
We face the Mackems next, and if Sam blows that ... he had better go into hiding.