Your Tyne Is Up, Sam (Boss Allardyce axed after 24 matches)

By SHAUN CUSTIS
Sam Allardyce was sacked as manager of Newcastle United last night after just 24 games in charge. The axe fell after a string of poor results ending with a 0-0 draw in the FA Cup at Stoke City on Sunday. Big Sam had no idea as he drove to work yesterday morning that it was to be his final day as Newcastle boss. He spoke to me from his car phone on the way into training, chatting about how difficult it was to find reasonably-priced quality defenders and wondering how much he would get to spend in the transfer window. "Everyone is so expensive - I could do with about £150million" he laughed. Allardyce then talked of how he had beaten this weekends opponents at Manchester United while at his previous club Bolton and that football had a habit of producing shock results when they are least expected. "Can you really beat them?" I asked. "You never know, do you?" he said "If Bolton can do it, Manchester can." Allardyce took training and started preparing his team for the daunting task ahead. Then, at his 2pm Press Conference, he discussed attempts to sign Lassana Diarra from Arsenal and Wes Brown from Manchester United. Considering the pressure he has been under, Big Sam was in a relaxed mood and was still talking to the media at 3pm.