Allardyce still in box seat

Strange goings on in the next Newcastle manager market.

Big Sam is still hot favourite at 1.28 to be installed at St James' Park, and if you have deep pockets that looks like buying money.

The only stumbling block appears to be a lack of enthusiasm on Tyneside for a man regarded as a glorified long ball merchant.

It is interesting that after speaking to a number of Newcastle fans, they insist they want a manager who plays decent football. They appear to be living in a Spurs like time warp, still pining for the good old days under Kevin Keegan.

As an outside observer I have seen Newcastle serve up anaemic performances at Fulham and Reading this year with little sign of exciting football and totally devoid of passion - a team crying out for the Big Sam treatment.

Aside from Allardyce, there appear to be 2 other candidates - Gerard Houillier (21.00) who amazingly topped a poll in the city's Evening Chronicle and Russian boss Guus Hiddink(26.00).

Surely the Newcastle board won't make another mistake, and will announce Sam Allardyce as their new 'gaffer' next week