NEWCASTLE fans have given a mixed response to the appointment of Sam Allardyce.

The 52-year-old, who was a Sunderland player in the early 1980s and began his managerial career as the Black Cat's youth coach, has signed a three-year contract at St James' Park.

He stepped down as manager of Bolton, who he steered to a UEFA Cup place, on April 29.

But the appointment has not generated the sort of enthusiasm provoked by the arrival of previous managers such as Kevin Keegan, Ruud Gullit and Bobby Robson.

Lifelong supporter Steve Wraith, editor of the North-East football magazine Players Inc, said: "I stood outside the press conference and there were only 25 supporters waiting to see Sam as opposed to 2,500 waiting for Bobby Robson when he was appointed.

"I wasn't very positive about the appointment - there is a lot of apathy around Newcastle, especially after the season we have had.

"I think it was right to part with Glenn (Roeder). He did a good job on no budget. He did what was expected, he was a stand-in.

"After the press conference, I am slightly more positive after listening to what he had to say, particularly the situation regarding Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins.

"I'm hoping he can do what he did at Bolton, which is to build up a sound, solid team that is established in the Premiership.

"Let's hope he can take Newcastle a step forward and something winning, finishing in the top six and back in Europe.'' Mark Jensen, editor of the fanzine The Mag, said: "I think in an ideal world he wouldn't have been my first choice, but now he has been appointed we'll have to get behind him.

"You look for the positives rather than the negatives. You can't imagine him being pushed around by the chairman or anybody else.

"The main positive is that the fans will look and see something happening before the start of the season rather after a few games and bad results.

"He will have the summer to bring in players and work with the squad.'' Mr Jensen, who would have liked former Liverpool boss Gerrard Houlier as manager, added that he wondered whether Allardyce would be able to motivate Newcastle's players and bring the best out of them.

But lifelong season ticket-holder Ian Gilmour, of Fenham, Newcastle, welcomed the former Bolton boss' appointment.

"I am very happy with it, I am not one of those against it, and I don't see what the problem is. He is the best man for the job.

"There are people that Bolton don't play football but he plays to the strengths of the players he has.

"He has managed to get a team with very little money, and half the attendance we get, above us in the last few seasons. If he has money to spend he can get better quality players.''