That could probably explain the superb second-half performance from the Magpies.
But, although nothing was expected on Wednesday, Saturday unfolds a totally different story.
United have four games against relegation-threatened sides (Birmingham, Derby County, Fulham and Wigan) and the TRUE Newcastle will emerge.
It would not surprise me if the three sides that drop into the Championship in May are in that group, and we MUST come away with at least THREE wins.
If we don't, then what can we expect from games against Chelsea and Manchester United that follow?
Toon Must Get Three Wins From Next Four Games!
New Birmingham boss Alex McLeish says Allardyce's plight at Newcastle left him under no illusions about the intense pressures of Premier League management.
McLeish, 48, took charge of Blues last week after leaving Scotland following their narrow failure to reach Euro 2008. And McLeish's City reign got off to a fantastic start with a stunning 3-2 win at Spurs in his first game at the helm, courtesy of a last-gasp stunner from Sebastian Larsson.
Alex McLeish: "Two or three bad results and you are prone to criticism.
"We just have to get on with that as it is a job where we are well paid and you know before you go into it what it's like. So, if you think you can't cope, don't go into it.
"The key is you just have to retain your sense of humour and dignity and Big Sam is handling it extremely well as I would expect.
"Nobody likes criticism, but I have been through it and it didn't kill me and I think when you go through it, it tends to make you stronger.
"We live in a knee-jerk blame society but us managers put ourselves under enough pressure without focusing on the external pressures."