Sam Feels The Pressure

"It shows what a volatile world we are living in - because there is more money come into the game, it appears the pressure levels have gone up on the managers already.

"I predicted that way back in May if anybody was listening, and it appears all of a sudden, it's already happening, particularly with (Tottenham boss) Martin Jol."

Allardyce has been lucky that he got off to a blistering start at the Reebok on the opening day of United's Premiership campaign. A heavy defeat and he knows he would have had his head on the block, simply because Mike Ashley did not appoint him as boss and there was rumour the new owner was looking to coax Arsene Wenger to St James' Park.

Ashley watched the 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough when the Smogs bounced back twice to level.

Allardyce: "We have got to make sure that when we take a lead, we keep hold of it.

"There are going to be occasions when you let that lead slip, particularly playing away from home, but to let it slip twice.

"And the way we allowed it to slip is something I want the lads to really concentrate on, look at and learn from and make sure if we get in that position again, it just does not happen and we come away with three points.

"Scoring two goals away from home in any Premier League game is a massive ask, and those two goals should always be securing you three points, not one.

"Looking at the goals we conceded, they were very stoppable, both of them."