Big Sam slams display

St James' Park boss admits 'disappointment'

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 4th November 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Big Sam slams display

Allardyce: Disappointed

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Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce labelled his side's 4-1 home defeat to Portsmouth as the most 'disappointing' in his time with the club.

Allardyce, who took charge of Newcastle in the summer, saw his side three goals down after 11 minutes at St James' Park courtesy of strikes from Noe Pamarot, Benjani Mwaruwari and John Utaka, before Niko Kranjcar added a fourth in the second half.

Newcastle could only net a consolation through a Sol Campbell own goal and Allardyce, who made five changes to the side beaten 2-1 by Reading last weekend, admits the performance was not good enough.

"The reaction from my team was the most disappointing I've seen up to now, particularly at St James'," Allardyce told Sky Sports.

"We fell into the mode of making basic errors and Portsmouth couldn't believe their luck.

Uphill task

"The first 11 minutes gifted the game to Portsmouth and from then on it was a massive uphill task for us.

"Our basic defensive errors have slipped into our home form now and that's very worrying, but something I have to continue to work at.

"I've not been frightened of making changes, but you've got to be careful how many you keep making because you have got to show faith in someone somewhere along the line.

"But it is difficult to do that when people make so many basic errors.

"For me it's about rolling my sleeves up and making sure the fans don't see that kind of performance again this season."

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Comments (2)

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Craig Futers (Newcastle United fan) says...

A game which could have easily gone our way prior to kick off was surrended by 3 goals in the first 10 mins. After that, 9 times of out 10, no matter how good you play you have given yourself a mountain to climb and you would never win. The ow(e)n goal gave the optimistics among us brief hope, although any resurrgance would have definately needed another goal before half time. Aftert that the defenders played constant long balls up the field totally missing out the midfield, which Sol Campbell and Distin ate up for breakfast. With the game at 3-1 and our defence adamant with not passing to the midfield, it was game over really. Of course Taylors own goal helped (!)

Posted 23:06 4th November 2007

Brian Young says...

The team lacked balance against Porstmouth. I know why coaches pick players to play on opposite wings, but you sacrifice balance. N'zogbia has been absolutely brilliant down the left flank and he can cut inside and hit it with his right foot. Jamie Milner the same so why play them on opposite wings. It is not necessary in this case and he should leave well alone. The midfield would have performed better playing the way i have suggested. The back four got no protection and were exposed.

Posted 12:12 4th November 2007
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