From nufc.com
Turning to Everton, there's a risk of double standards here for slagging them off for being so negative at home after a season when we've deployed equally restrictive tactics at times.
Unlike the first meeting of these sides in December though, Everton are well out of danger and can afford to be more expansive as they pursue a Europa League place. It's a fair bet that we'll be rather more offensive against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, having reached our declared objective.
Aside from the fact that we're not on a level with the likes of Manchester City and as a promoted side, we surely didn't represent a threat to his expensively-assembled side to justify these tactics. It was of course nothing to do with respect though, just his default miserabilist stance.
Allardyce's justification appears to be that his £45m Icelandic playmaker is crocked, but that just doesn't wash - certainly given the withdrawn position Wayne Rooney was condemned to occupy, aside from trotting forward to take corners.
One thing is clear; home followers are bored stiff, rendered even more apathetic than usual by this joyless feast and in no hurry to sign up for more of it - a feeling that may well be shared within the dressing room if the Newcastle squad in 2007 is any guide. The end doesn't justify the means.
Defeat left Newcastle tenth - still not quite mathematically safe, with but genuine hope of achieving a first top half finish since 2014. Tonight didn't change anything....and I still hate Allardyce's guts