
Leeds win over Newcastle would leave Sam Allardyce ‘50 per cent’ sure of survival
Leeds boss Sam Allardyce believes his side can take a giant leap towards Premier League safety with victory against Newcastle in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off. Allardyce, appointed by Leeds eight days ago in a last-ditch bid to retain top-flight status, takes charge of his first match at Elland Road for the club, who sit second bottom and two points from safety with three games to go. The former England manager said: “The biggest thing that can happen is not lose. If we got three points I’d be 40 or 50 per cent thinking we could stay safe. “We still have to win some games. We won’t stay up on 30 points. If we get nine points we’ll stay up, if we get six we might stay up. I want to be still in it when we play Tottenham (on the final day).” Allardyce was sacked by Newcastle in early 2008 after just eight months in charge, but insisted that would not give him extra motivation to deal their top-four hopes a blow. “It’s a long time ago,” the 68-year-old said. “Was I disappointed? Yes. What did it do to my career? Massive knock-back. “But I always recover and move on. It was an opportunity, but in the end I couldn’t avoid a change of ownership that was unexpected.” Mike Ashley had taken control of Newcastle from Freddy Shepherd six months earlier and Allardyce added: “It was a blow to my career at that time because I wanted to take Newcastle as far as I could, like they’re doing now.” Newcastle lost 2-0 to Arsenal last week, but have won eight of their last 10 league games to stay on course for Champions League football next season. Allardyce said the Magpies’ transformation this term under manager Eddie Howe was not just down to the mega-riches provided by current Saudi owners, the Public Investment Fund. “If it doesn’t all come together, your relationship with the owners and the recruitment and the whole building of a football club is imperative to your success,” Allardyce said. “If you get the right players, as they have done…I think what they have done is they’ve not got sucked into the usual hell-for-leather spend, spend, spend like Chelsea. “The way they have spent, slowly but surely, position by position, not over-extending the price that they pay and refusing to pay the inflated price that everybody thinks they’re going to get because they’ve got a mega-rich owner, they’ve resisted all that and now they’ve had the benefit.” Allardyce, who has three games left to keep Leeds in the top flight for a fourth season, was pleased with their “fight and determination” in his first match in charge, which ended in a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City. After Newcastle’s visit they play West Ham away and then host Tottenham in their last match. Allardyce added: “It won’t be over if we lose (on Saturday), but to give ourselves the best chance we have to try and at least get a point on the board.” Allardyce, still without injured skipper Liam Cooper, does not expect USA captain Tyler Adams to feature again this season after he had hamstring surgery in March. Read More Sam Allardyce as good as Pep Guardiola? Man City show they are separated by a gulf Man City vs Leeds LIVE: Premier League latest updates Sam Allardyce labelled ‘deluded’ after Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp comparison Sam Allardyce returns and Liverpool on a charge – Premier League talking points Sam Allardyce asks Leeds for season’s best at the back to keep out Man City Former boss Javi Gracia has no bitterness towards Leeds despite sacking
1970-01-01 08:00

Tom Brady to be honored at Patriots home opener, owner Robert Kraft says
Tom Brady, who announced February 1 he was "retiring for good" after 23 seasons in the NFL, has been invited to the New England Patriots' home opener, team owner Robert Kraft said.
1970-01-01 08:00

Madrid Open apologizes for silencing women's doubles finalists
The Madrid Open has apologized for not allowing the women’s doubles players to address the crowd during the awards ceremony after the final
1970-01-01 08:00

US captain Tyler Adams set to miss rest of season for Leeds
United States captain Tyler Adams is unlikely to play again for Leeds this season
1970-01-01 08:00

Real Madrid handed major injury boost ahead of Man City second leg
Real Madrid have been handed an injury boost ahead of next Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
1970-01-01 08:00

USA U-20 World Cup roster announced: Varas ‘confident’ of his team
The 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup kicks off in Argentina later this month and Head Coach Mikey Varas has made the hard decisions – some by choice and some not – to put together a competitive squad that debuts May 20 against Ecuador in Group B.
1970-01-01 08:00

Allardyce hopes 'fear factor' powers Leeds survival bid
Sam Allardyce says Leeds must use the fear of relegation to "drive them on" as he prepares for his first home match in charge...
1970-01-01 08:00

Oilers' Leon Draisaitl on pace to break record for most goals in NHL playoff year
Leon Draisaitl has 13 goals in the Edmonton Oilers' first 10 playoff games this year
1970-01-01 08:00

Pedersen takes sprint as Leknessund keeps Giro lead
Mads Pedersen won the group sprint to take stage six of the Giro d'Italia in Naples on Thursday as Andreas...
1970-01-01 08:00

FanSided 15 MLB prospect rankings: Jordan Walker a bright spot for Cardinals
We here at FanSided are joining the MLB prospect rankings wagon as we are issuing our first ever FanSided 15.In the world of baseball, there's a plethora of MLB prospect lists available online, providing fans and experts with valuable insight into the up-and-coming talent set to make an imp...
1970-01-01 08:00

New York City FC releases first look at new $780 million, 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in Queens
New York City FC has released a first look at the renderings for its plans to build a new 25,000-seat stadium complex in Queens, the first soccer-specific stadium in the city.
1970-01-01 08:00

Jaiswal hits IPL's fastest ever 50 off 13 balls
Yashasvi Jaiswal on Thursday hit the fastest 50 in Indian Premier League history, smashing his half-century in just 13 balls for Rajasthan Royals, including 26...
1970-01-01 08:00
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