Allardyce dismisses player revolt speculation

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has told his players "I know best" as he continues to dampen speculation about unrest amongst the Magpies squad.

Allardyce has had to respond to reports that a delegation of three senior players sought a meeting with Allardyce to express their concerns following the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.

But he insists there is nothing strained or out of the ordinary in his dealings with the side, who have endured a difficult season thus far with just 18 points from 14 outings.

He told the Daily Mail newspaper: "Players are not happy about a lot of the stuff I do, because they're players and I'm the manager. I'm the man who knows what's right for them and I know it more than they do.

"When you're having a bad time there are always elements trying to make a big deal of things. Today's politically correct society believes that's a disruption, but that's an everyday occurrence as a manager."

The former Bolton boss also hopes to be in the St James' Park hot seat for a long time and leave the club in a good position for his eventual successor.

He left Wanderers in the UEFA Cup last term and would like to build a similar legacy with Newcastle, who many believe could end up in the control of former captain Alan Shearer, who has also been tipped as an outsider for the England job.

Allardyce continued: "If Alan decides to take my job, I hope it will be when I have decided to leave because I've made the club successful.

"Then he will be taking over a club that I've improved significantly, like what happened with Sammy Lee and Bolton. If it's the other way, you have to live with it."