Sam No Nearer Sorting Out Toon Defence!

Last updated : 03 October 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

His dig at Wenger not bringing youngsters through by the Arsenal Academy system was the best of the lot!

Not only did the Arsenal kids dump Big Sam's senior players out of the League Cup, but Sam himself has replaced Academy kids like Edgar, Ramage and Huntington with four foreign defenders he signed himself.

And still he hasn't got it right, as he moaned after the Manchester City fixture saying his new defence was "a shambles".

It takes time to get new players to gell, we all know that, but to spout his gob off saying the managers of Liverpool and Arsenal haven't got it right, is a bit much!

Sam's problems continue.

With Brazilian centre-back Cacapa missing out on the trip to the City of Manchester Stadium through a groin injury, Allardyce turned to Steven Taylor to partner David Rozehnal, who appears to be first-choice defender so far in the Big Sam era.


And while Cacapa is struggling with injury and United leaked goals at Eastlands, Allardyce may be ready to turn back the clock.

Indeed, Abdoulaye Faye was the man who Allardyce used as a centre-half for the majority of last season and helped Bolton qualify for the UEFA Cup.

And Faye underlined his admiration for Allardyce after rejoining his old boss at St James' Park following their stint together at the Reebok Stadium, with the Senegalese ace playing a big part in their rise up the Premier League.

Enrique is still finding his feet, and he was given another runout for the Reserves last night, while Charlie N'Zogbia's position at left-back is still a major topic of concersation.

Is Charlie a defender? As simple as that. We know he is arguably the liveliest winger we have on the books, but is he wasted playing so deep?

Sam has a lot of thinking to do this week. Everton are away playing in the Ukraine on Thursday, so that must be a boost for Newcastle. And we await his team on Sunday.