Butt kisses butt

Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt in looking forward to the appointment of Sam Allardyce.

‘I know Sir Alex likes him, so he must have something. He has taken Bolton high in the table, higher than perhaps they should be,’ Butt told The Guardian.

‘He’s a no-nonsense man. I’m only talking from an outside point of view but everyone has respect for him as a coach and he embraces the new things that come into the game. He looks forward at new things coming into the game and that can only be a good thing.’

Jolly good. Now there`s just the rest of the playing staff to sort out. Obafemi Martins has gone walk-about, Charles N’Zogbia refuses to be a substitute, Norbert Solano reckons Big Sam`s playing style is rubbish, Michael Owen can move, providing someone coughs up nine million quid and Albert Luque wants a transfer (presumably he’s after a club with a more comfortable treatment table.)

On the good side, Titus Bramble is already out of contract.

Allardyce`s appointment will be announced at a press conference due to take place at 1pm. There`ll be a few platitudes from Freddie Shepherd and a load of fat Geordies who`ll take their shirts off as soon as they`re within camera distance

Waiting patiently at the back, will be Nicky Butt, with an apple for the teacher.