Allardyce plays the blame game

AS a man who treats each team he sends out as an extension of his not inconsiderable ego, it comes as little surprise that Sam Allardyce is someone who takes defeat rather personally.

So a comprehensive trouncing by a side previously without a victory at St James’ Park in 58 years did not sit easily with the glum-looking Newcastle manager, who professed himself “gutted” by a first home defeat of his reign played out before a rapidly emptying stadium in the aftermath of Niko Kranjcar scoring Portsmouth’s fourth goal late on.

Not that Allardyce was taking defeat on the chin, more deflecting the blow towards his hapless players, most notably Claudio Cacapa.