Butt: Stand by Big Sam

Dec 9 2007 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

NICKY BUTT last night urged Newcastle United to stick by manager Sam Allardyce – or wreck any hope of sustained success at St James’s Park.

Butt insists the 13 medals he won during more than a decade under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United proves the value of continuity in the dug-out.

And the midfielder has again likened Allardyce to Fergie as he hammers home his point that Big Sam must be given time to turn Newcastle around.

“It’s sad to read that the manager has got two or three games left, because he has come in, changed a lot of things at the club and it will take time to get the benefit from that,” said Butt (pictured right).

“The culture of sacking managers doesn’t work. Look around at all the top teams.

“The manager at Arsenal has been at the club for years – a lot of managers who have been at a club a long time get it right.

“That’s because the manager can learn the ins and outs of the club. Hopefully it will happen here now.

“Sir Alex came to Manchester United and was allowed to set up the youth team first – and they are getting reward for that now.

“As for the manager here, I have known him for four or five months now and he has done well. He speaks well to the Press and doesn’t shirk responsibility. We have a lot of potential here and given time and a few more performances like that and he will do well.

“I’ve said it before, but someone will get it right here, because with the players we’ve got and the backing we have, we should be challenging for trophies.

“There’s no reason why that someone can’t be Sam Allardyce.”