How I performed a miracle at Reebok

May 20 2007 By The Sunday Sun

Sam Allardyce believes he performed a miracle at Bolton - and would still be there if he had produced another.

But Newcastle fans need no longer fear getting turned over at the Reebok Stadium and other footballing backwaters with Big Sam in charge.

Bolton's four top 10 finishes in as many seasons and strong flirtation with Champions League qualification adds up to that miracle, Allardyce insists.

"I think I would have stayed at Bolton if we had got into the Champions League," he said.

"To come that close with a club like Bolton was a miraculous achievement - but it was a bridge too far."

Not that Newcastle will be easy pickings for such over-achievers any longer, though.

United's form against lesser sides may have been dismal in recent seasons, but Allardyce declared: "We have to have the mentality to beat those teams that aren't as good as us.

"Then when the big boys come round, we've already got the points in the bag to challenge them and try to leave them with a bit of egg on their face."