The kids are all right The kids aren't all right

You've got to hand it to Fat Sam - he knows how to keep young players' feet firmly on the ground.

It was largely thanks to the efforts of young first team squad players and a smattering of reserves that we managed to defeat a strong Juventus side 2-0 at St James' Park yesterday. Albert Luque got his third in two pre-season friendlies before retiring injured (yes, another player bound for the treatment table...), and his replacement Andy Carroll sealed the win, scoring from a rebound.

But no sooner had the players felt the meaty slap of Allardyce's palm on their backs than he was playing down their achievement and claiming that "if we started the season with the same side that ended this match it would be a disaster".

In truth, I suppose, we all know we need reinforcements and fast, but could Fat Sam not perhaps have been a little more charitable to those who pulled off a good result? And in any case, given the lingering rumours of dissatisfaction among the new administration with his appointment, is he really wise to go publicly heaping more pressure on the board to produce the goods?