Sven: Sam’s the man

MANCHESTER CITY could shove Sam Allardyce to the brink of dismissal by ending their miserable run of away results at Newcastle tonight — but Sven-Goran Eriksson feels the Magpies boss is thick-skinned enough to withstand the pressure.

Although Newcastle chairman Chris Mort has claimed owner Mike Ashley has no plans to axe Allardyce, few believe the former Bolton boss would survive if a Premier League defeat to City at St James’ Park was followed by a weekend FA Cup reverse at Stoke.

Despite spending only half a season at St James’ Park, Allardyce has failed to win over the Geordie faithful, with either his signings or style of football, which is a mile away from the free-flowing stuff Kevin Keegan and Bobby Robson were noted for.