After the one which was a setback at the JJB Stadium, United now looking for a new and more dedicated skipper to lead United for the foreseeable future.

I really think the lads will needed one when they arrive for Saturday’s game at Stamford Bridge – a ground where we have never won from previously 14 visits in the Premier League. After that United’s next four away League games are against the Top team Manchester United, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool, with an optional “easy one” in the third round of the FA Cup at Stoke City on January 6th.

Those games are when we will be without Oba Martins, Geremi, Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye as they will be heading to the African Nations Cup. To anticipate the departures, Allardyce has confirmed that Alan Smith will took the duty to skippering Newcastle United.

“It’s a permanent decision for now because obviously Geremi is going away to the African Nations,” said Allardyce. “We need to establish for a while somebody who can captain the side on a regular basis with the attitude, desire and commitment that Alan shows.”

Smudger will lead the United team again when they take on Chelsea tomorrow. Newcastle will try to break their solid home records where they are having a run of 72 matches unbeaten in the Premier League. Duff admits at the official site, that it won’t be easy going to former club Chelsea on the back of the Boxing Day defeat at Wigan, but says that the Magpies have to come out fighting at Stamford Bridge.

“With all due respect to Derby and Wigan, we should be beating teams like that.” Damien said as quoted from the official site, “We’re gutted and surprised because we thought we’d turned the corner with some good results. But that’s been the story of our season, we turn things around then suffer a poor result like Wigan.”

Damien said the Chelsea match can be United next turning point into something more positive result following the recent two disappointments at home and JJB Stadium. Newcastle should displays another performance just like what they did against Arsenal to win the Toon Army hearts back again.

“It’ll be nice to go back but, to be honest, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing this weekend - we have to come out fighting and give it a good go for ourselves and the fans.” Said Duff.

Tomorrow, Chelsea are without injured pair John Terry and Didier Drogba, while Ashley Cole and Ricardo Carvalho were sent off in Wednesday’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Aston Villa and face suspensions.

Sam Allardyce praised the versatility of Alan Smith since signing for United this summer. Since his first appearance in Black-and-White shirt, Smith has appeared in every position across the Magpies midfield. Today, Big Sam accepting that he is probably more suited to a forward role after an impressive display at Blackburn.

Alan Smith while still looking for his first competitive goal for Newcastlethis season, said he has no problem with filling in where needed, he is not interested in personal glory.

“I’m not here on a personal crusade – I’m merely part of a team that wants to do well.” Smith said, “I’ve played in a lot of positions for the good of the team, and I’ll continue to do that.”

Allardyce says that he knows exactly what he’ll get from the England ace no matter where Smith starts in every United game.

“Alan’s approach to the game is first class and he is a terrific example for others to follow,” said the United gaffer. “But, down at Blackburn, he did play very, very well. He put in a positive performance and gave us a lot of opportunities to attack the opposition because he unsettled their two defenders.”

Been shrugged off the booing during and after the Liverpool game, doesn’t worried him at all and Smith hopes there will be cheers rather than jeers against Arsenal.

“Hopefully, they’ll get behind us and we can give them something to cheer about against Arsenal. They (Toon Army) are the greatest supporters and they turn out every week.”

Smith added he would rather have 50,000 and more Toon Army booing the team than nobody there at all. He also mention Newcastle have a lot of players who want to go forward, and we’re still new together.

In the end Smith told tha Newcastle were doing well at the start of the season and he didn’t see any reason we can not have it back again. We have to stick together, the players, manager and Toon supporters. We will be hard to beat when we are really United.

The 23-year-old Dutchman center-forward, Maceo Rigters who is currently playing for NAC Breda, has been starring for Holland during the European Under-21 Championships, and his performances have caught the eye of Sam Allardyce.

Meanwhile, Alan Smith been reported by The Daily Mirror has made a deal with Newcastle that will bring him to play for Toon in a transfer switch at £3.5m from Manchester United.

But from the official site, there’s no confirmation so far about the deal. If the story was true, then we will see another Allardyce attempt to revival one player career.

This story was then raised the speculation about our current strikers, Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins are about to leave Toon. Both players have a release clause on their contract.

But again, there’s no further confirmation from the official club about the possibility of Owen and Oba to leave this summer. In fact, both players are recently pledged his future with Newcastle.

Oba, who was escaped from the death recently, has stated that he is determined to play again for Toon because he feels welcome by the Toon Supporters and was quoted that his latest issue with the club about dodging a game was not true.

"Everytime I play I want to give my best and it upsets me when people suggest that I tried to dodge a game by faking injury. I have never done that and I will never do that." Martins added.

Martins was being tipped today to join Arsenal if Thiery Henry leaves the gunners while Juventus is also being interested for his service. But I predicted there is no chance Arsenal or Juventus could get him out from St. James’s Park, not this year.

Menwhile, the Newcastle Official Club is confident that Michael Owen will remain at the club next season and Owen has been impressed by Sam Allardyce’s vision for the club that he will copied what he has done at Bolton for Newcastle