Sam To Return Newcastle To Keegan Era
Last updated : 23 June 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
I'm sure we all know the story of David Ginola's arrival on Tyneside, he signed while Douglas Hall took Ginola's wife on a tour of the city. She came back crying.
Then there was Andy Cole's time when he had trouble with Sunderland fans at his house in Crook. KK made every effort to make sure his players had a trouble-free stay, and made every to help them wherever possible.
New manager Sam Allardyce feels there has been a major problem at St James' Park in recent years, and he wants to go back to Keegan's ways.
The former Bolton boss is confident he can help Spanish striker Albert Luque rebuild is stuttering career by sorting out his private life.
Allardyce: "I feel far too many players have got lost at this football club and it is my responsibility to make sure that does not happen to any current member of the staff or any new player I might bring in.
"One of the reasons I was successful at Bolton Wanderers was transforming a foreign player out of whatever country he had come from into a Premiership player.
"That's because we found out what problems he had as early as we possibly could.
"I don't want to be too critical of what has happened here in the past, but in my opinion, there has not been enough focus on what is happening in a player's life away from the training ground and the club.
"Has he got the right lifestyle? Is he living in the right place for him and his family? In fact, it's not just the player but his wife and family.
"But once that is sorted out, you get the best out of player and this is something I have got to try to work out with Albert Luque.
"He might be too far gone, who knows? But we might still be able to resurrect his career here. We will see."