Allardyce and out
That’s it from me then. Thanks for popping into see what Sam Allardyce said during his first press conference as Sunderland manager. In summary he knows he’s got a big job on his hands keeping them in the Premier League but feels there are enough games to do so while also playing entertaining football, especially at home. Oh and he might sign Kevin Nolan again.
First up for Allardyce is a trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Until then, here’s another clip of him saying “bollocks”. Enjoy!
Allardcye has left the main press conference and is now having a cosy chat with reporters. And what says ‘cosy chat with Sam’ better than a plate full of chocolate muffins. Nothing, that’s what.
Sam Allardyce holds court with some of the media. Busy press day for the new #safc boss pic.twitter.com/JTqIz8Mgd3
— Spencer Brown (@Spencer_Brown1) October 13, 2015
The possibility of Nolan joining Sunderland has divided opinion among Newcastle fans. And by divided, I mean the majority are furious with the idea
Funnily tho, the #nufc Nolan poll is quite even at moment. #nufc fans in forgiving mood?! http://t.co/sBpgrZRMkW pic.twitter.com/LGJZtv6Ose
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) October 13, 2015
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Allardyce on the possibility of bringing free-agent, and former Newcastle captain, Kevin Nolan to Sunderland
I have to assess the squad I’ve got, do I need a midfielder. Kevin and I go back a long way, everyone knows that, but I have to assess the squad first and the quality I’ve got here. I may chose to enter down that line but at the moment it’s about giving the players I’ve got here an opportunity to show what they can do.
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Allardyce on speculation that former Sunderland manager Peter Reid will be his assistant
I have a few irons in the fire, nothing definite yet. I won’t disclose that yet. I’ve spoken to who I consider to be my No2 and we’ll see what happens
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I can see Allardyce talking on Sky Sports News!
Allardyce on the task facing him at Sunderland
It’ll take the vast majority of the 30 games [left] to get us safe, it takes time to catch up when you have a bad start to the season, historically, as has been seen at this club during the past few season. But that’s partly why I came here; because there are enough games left in the season to get us out of trouble
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More from Sam shortly. Until then, why not watch his face age to the sound of a thumping guitar solo
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With Sunderland 19th in the Premier League and still looking for their first win of the season, Allardyce wants his new team to make an immediate impact under his charge
The season is underway, you’ve not got a lot of time to waste because every game comes around very quickly, and we’ve got to try and prepare for the first game which is West Brom [at the Hawthorns on Saturday].
We have to try and install a little bit more confidence in the team and hopefully they can go one better than they did against West Ham.
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Sam has spoken!
Good news folks, I have some mutterings from the new man in charge at Sunderland. First and foremost, Allardyce wants to make the Stadium of Light a place where home supporters can and do watch entertaining football.
First and foremost in the area that Sunderland is the fans turned out in abundance. We’re averaging over 40 thousand every home game and let’s be honest we haven’t had a lot to cheer at the minute.
I’ve got to try and give them some more entertainment at home particularly winning more matches at home is very important for us. We also need to entertain the public and I think the facilities now at this club are in a fantastic position.
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Don’t rule out Allardyce dropping a b-bomb during his press conference. After all, he’s got previous...
Confirmation that Sam is speaking to the media
.@OfficialBigSam's first press conference as #SAFC manager is underway! pic.twitter.com/eWRHOZKGFD
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) October 13, 2015
For clock's sake II
So it turns out Allardyce’s press conference has started. Messenger. Don’t. Shoot. The.
Sadly I don’t have a live feed to the words-based action currently taking place at the Stadium of Light but will try my best to supply you with as many updates as possible. Sky Sports News are showing the press conference as live at 3pm so will definitely be able to update then. It’ll be ‘Big Sam’ quotes galore!
And we’re not the only ones who are waiting for Allardyce...
Big Sam's welcoming committee at the Academy of Light. #safc pic.twitter.com/GSUiuvqfxQ
— James Hunter (@JHunterChron) October 13, 2015
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For clock's sake
Sorry about this folks, but looks like we’ve got an issue in regards to when this press conference starts. The Guardian’s understanding was that it got underway at 2pm BST but it now looks like it won’t actually start until closer to 3pm BST. We’re annoyed as you are.
Anyway, in the meantime why not keep yourselves entertained with this printer-based tweet.
As brilliantly pointed out by @mikegrady87, Sam Allardyce takes his printer from club to club. pic.twitter.com/n8NKnVZXGB
— Andy Dawson (@profanityswan) October 13, 2015
It’s likely Allardyce will be asked during his upcoming press conference about his comments regarding Wenger and Benitez. In regards to the later, there is well-known and long-standing history, with Allardyce know to have been particularly annoyed by the way Benitez reacted after Liverpool took an early 2-0 lead against his Blackburn side in April 2009. For those who don’t remember the smirk-inducing incident:
Preamble
Good afternoon all and welcome to the managerial unveiling that really matters. Yes that’s right, Sam Allardyce is back in football and about to show Jürgen Klopp how it’s really done. ‘The Normal One’? Forget that nonsense, it’s time for ‘The Big One’.
Allardyce has turned his back on his Spanish sunbed having been sacked by left West Ham at the end of last season and decided he’d rather have a go at keeping Sunderland in the Premier League. It’s a bold move and shortly he’ll explain his thinking to the gathered press. Look out for phrases like “huge challenge”, “hot bed of football”, “I missed the buzz” and “Kevin Nolan should be here by Friday”.
It’s already been a day full off Allardyce what with more extracts from his autobiography serialised in a certain tabloid newspaper. Among the titbits was the claim that Arsène Wenger is “arrogant” and Rafael Benítez had “nowt” to do with Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League win. The first of those - yes, maybe. Perhaps. The second - quite frankly it’s hard not to think Allardyce has confused the 2005 Champions League with the 2005 Ashes. In that case he’s definitely right; Benítez was nowhere near The Oval.
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OK, Allardyce’s first Sunderland press conference starts at 2pm BST. Until then, why not read Louise Taylor’s take on ‘Big Sam’s’ arrival at the Stadium of Light and why she thinks it represents the former Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham manager’s greatest challenge.
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