Newcastle is assuming a physically punishing look with Allardyce around. It is going to be the Tyneside version of Bolton with a lot more money.
Joey Barton will be his toughest project yet. If reports are correct, Barton might be a Magpie soon. But if there is anyone who can turn Barton around before he implodes it would have to be Allardyce, otherwise the FA might have to warn players to suit up with visors playing Barton.
Allardyce is also getting Mark Viduka from Boro. Whereas, Barton has a short fuse to a powder keg, Viduka has problems with his lipid levels. Often derided for his extra ounces of fat which usually make him a better player for a screen and roll kind of attack, Viduka has been scoring Boro’s goals. Gareth Southgate is rightly sorry that he is leaving the club.
Viduka and Obafemi Martins are two bruisers up front and their incidental contact should make the rest of the Premiership cringe. Allardyce is bringing back the hurt. Newcastle’s fortunes no longer rest on Michael Owen’s fragile ACL or Shola Ameobi’s bum hip.