ALLARDYCE POINTS TO FULLER AS THE BIGGEST THREAT

[stevetheboater]

Sentinel article this morning:
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**how do you get long url's to work on here? paste all the above into a browser**

ALLARDYCE POINTS TO FULLER AS THE BIGGEST THREAT TO HIS SIDE

Under-fire Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce admits his team will face a stern examination from Stoke City in tomorrow's FA Cup showdown.And in his last press conference before the highly-anticipated third-round clash, Allardyce pinpointed Ricardo Fuller as Stoke's biggest threat to Newcastle's Cup dreams.

Allardyce said: "We have to make sure the players are up for this Cup clash and make sure we are not one of the shocks of the round.

"Tony Pulis has built up a very good squad over a period of time and has picked up experienced players and taken others from the Premiership. They are a big side, a physical side and look ready for a big push to the Premier League."

He added: "It will be a difficult game, but we have got to know what we are facing which we will talk about on Saturday. We have to accept the way they play.

"They will play their best because this is the third-round of the FA Cup. They are playing Newcastle live on TV, so they would love to get a big scalp and will play above themselves.

"If we are anything less than on top of our game, we are going to find life very difficult down there."

Allardyce admitted his side had not been able to prepare specifically for their trip to the Potteries on the back of a hectic festive period, including their 2-0 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday night. That news will come as a boost to Stoke and the likes of seven-goal man Ryan Shawcross against a team who have the third worst record in the Premier League when it comes to defending set-pieces. But Big Sam was able to give a general assessment of the threat Stoke may pose.

He said: "They get the ball forward quickly off the big men, win lots of knock-downs which is a big advantage for their results - and from that point of view we will have to get ready to deal with that.

"We will have to use our ability, get the ball round them and through them, but more importantly finish our chances off, which has been our problem."

Having spent the majority of his managerial career in the top-flight with Bolton, Allardyce has barely encountered any of Stoke's players in the past. But Fuller, Stoke's leading goalscorer with 11 goals, is on his radar, having witnessed the Jamaican's robust skills while playing for former clubs Portsmouth and Southampton.

Allardyce said: "I've seen a lot of him (Fuller) over the years. If he is on his game, he is real handful because he is a skilful player who is capable of taking on defenders and scoring.

"He is in a good run of form at the moment, so we will have to pay particular attention to him and make sure he doesn't get into positions to hurt us and score against us."

Ever since Allardyce arrived at St James' Park he has come under ever-increasing pressure from disgruntled sections of the Toon Army.

On the back of three successive defeats, Newcastle sit in eleventh-position in the Premier League, well below many fans' expectations.

But in yesterday's Sentinel, Pulis backed his opposite number by saying he deserves more time to turn the club's fortunes around. And not surprisingly, Big Sam is convinced he will survive in his job beyond tomorrow whatever the result.

Allardyce said: "At the end of the day I have to win football matches because that is what I'm judged on, and if I don't win football matches then more and more pressure will come on me.

"In terms of Sunday you never know, but I have had no indication from the chairman or the owner that anything which is being speculated will happen.

"We have already experienced the highs and the lows in the time we have been together, which is about seven months."

He added: "Much of the speculation is caused by the media, but we have got to get results to turn the situation around.

"Nobody has told me here that I'm going to lose my job, but that is what the media keeps speculating on."

[GlynDerby]

He wasn't really going to point to Parkin was he ? ;D ;D ;D

[Rebelliousjukebox]

Very perceptive of him!

[markscfc72]

i like that part!

Allardyce admitted his side had not been able to prepare specifically for their trip to the Potteries on the back of a hectic festive period, including their 2-0 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday night. That news will come as a boost to Stoke

[Morg72]

Obviously knows his football, but is he ready for our "PLAN B" ???. I bet that will confuse him( cuz it confuses me every week) ;D

[Stick It On Cort's Head]

its obvious that is they play at 80 percent of their ability they will beat us

but this is the fa cup and anything can happen

[Morg72]

As TP said, if they have a poor day and we are on top of our game then you never know

[JetBlack]

Do you think he'll put three men on Riccibaby then?

Good God I hope we win, my next door neighbour is a geordie and he's been saying "You lot are no problem, we'll hammer yous three nil"

[Morg72]

I dont think they will score that many. As long as they score 1 less than us though i wont mind ;D

[RAF]

LOL, Allardyce points out our top striker as the biggest threat.
I suppose his footballing degree in stating the fucking obvious helped him out with that gem.
It's amazing Newcastle are doing so badly with the foresight in the game that he so obviously has.

H