We will have the year of an Earth Rat according to the ancient Chinese astrology calendar starting from February 7th, 2008. Being a bit curious in what is the forecast for Big Sam in 2008, I did a little web research to find out.

Sam Allardyce (born October 19th, 1954)
Big Sam’s Chinese horoscope sign is Horse with wood element. All in all, the 2008 forecast said it’s going to be a lucky year for everyone who is in the Horse sign this year and he will make the most of it and reap in a good fortune.

He is also will experience a lot of changes in all spheres of his life; in his relationship as well as living environment and the workplace.

Allardyce best off is not trying to introduce any changes in any part of his circumstances. He needs to go with what he already has and make the best of it as any changes that happen are not likely to be good ones.

If change is absolutely necessary and there is nothing he can do to forestall it, he must dig his heels in and brace himself for what’s to come.

So according to the forecast, it seems that Sam Allardyce will finally found a grip to do his best for Newcastle in 2008 and he will finally get the results for being stick in what he believe is working.

He will also experience the changes in his relationships with the United players, and they will start working together and marching forward for the good of the club. Believe it Or Not!

Times Online report today write about Chris Mort, the Newcastle United chairman, has insisted the club are not looking for a replacement for Sam Allardyce although the former Bolton Wanderers manager has endured another intensely difficult period during Christmas.

We have seen United side only taken just one Premier League point from a possible of nine with a special ‘Chritmas gift’ from Joey Barton by remanded in custody on charges of common assault and affray just after the Wigan’s defeat on boxing day.

To be honest, I was having a good laugh when I read about the news speculating the search for a new saviour with the name like Martin Jol and Alan Shearer are the bookmakers’ favourites. Martin Jol at St. James’ Park hot seat? Not even in my wildest dream!

Today, Chris Mort has dismissed all the rumours by saying all the rumours makes him laugh and find all this speculation as tedious.

“There is a different name every week and there is just no truth in it.”  He said as quoted from Times, “We were all very proud of the players and disappointed that we lost to what was clearly an offside goal.”

Mike Ashley was seen the last time among the travelling fans at Wigan on Boxing Day but was not at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as a much-improved United display against Chelsea failed to bring home a point because of Mike Riley’s poor decision which allowed Salomon Kalou’s late winner to stand.

Sir Bobby Robson begged Ashley to get his suit back and sit on the directors box after travelling long enough with the Toon Army in a search for the people opinions about Newcastle United, and warned him that he may have heard unballanced comments from die hard Toon Fans.

Sam Allardyce has gathered all his available Newcastle United players to a special meeting yesterday partly to explain Joey Barton’s absence and the most important thing it was also intended to remind the squad of their manager’s priorities.

The Guardian reporting today’s match have been said as the one that some of United squad especially looking forward to, but Allardyce has told them about his concerned that too many of them raise their games for glamour fixtures only to underachieve against more ordinary opposition.

“The biggest games for us, the ones we should concentrate the most for, are the Derbys, the Wigans. It’s about making sure we have a peak perfomance for the winnable matches. We could play out of our skins at Stamford Bridge but if Chelsea hit top form as well, we still might not get anything.” Said Allardyce.

Honestly, I can not believe myself on how the lads performance have been dropped since the Arsenal’s draw at home. Yesterday, Big Sam said that the lads must also focus on the winnable games rather than playing all out to get a performance against the big boys.

“We did against Arsenal and I think we’ll do the same against Chelsea,” Allardyce explained. “But we only drew against Arsenal and a performance like that against just about everyone else would have won us three points.”

Some opinions from the press accused that Newcastle is one game removed from a crisis but Allardyce insisted: “There is no crisis. People outside try to make it a crisis but we have to stay strong and not let those influences affect us.”

If talking about the crisis, our opponent today is also having a crisis if we can say like that. They will be without their skipper John Terry because of foot injury, Frank Lampard who is limped off from their last game for a thigh injury, striker Didier Drogba (knee) and French midfielder Claude Makelele (ear).

They will also missing their defensive duo, Ashley Cole and Ricardo Carvalho both red-carded against Aston Villa. And when the two team who are on crisis meet each other, I predicted a draw for today’s fixture.