ONE of Sam Allardyce's closest allies in the game has labelled the former Bolton boss as the man to deliver the good times back to Newcastle United.

And Carlisle United manager Neil McDonald, who was previously Allardyce's first team coach at the Reebok Stadium, disagrees with the view that the Geordie faithful will not welcome his tactical approach.

After accepting Glenn Roeder's resignation on Sunday, chairman Freddy Shepherd is pushing ahead with his attempts to lure the former Trotters boss to St James' Park.

It is likely to be done within the next couple of weeks, with a chance of an agreement before Sunday's final day trip to Watford, and McDonald feels the appointment is exactly what Newcastle need.

"Sam would be the perfect man for Newcastle. I know the Geordie psyche and he fits the bill perfectly," said the former Newcastle defender, part of the 1984 promotion team that also included Kevin Keegan, Chris Waddle and Peter Beardsley.

"Sam should have got the England job because he's the best in the business. Sam demands high standards and that's what Newcastle need.

"In an ideal world, Sam wanted to stay at Bolton until the end of the season but now that he's available, Newcastle should waste no time in appointing him. They wouldn't regret it.

"They're desperate to win trophies and so is Sam. It's the perfect combination."

McDonald, a product of the reputable Wallsend Boys Club before making his Magpies debut at 16, appreciates that Newcastle supporters want to see free-flowing, attacking football every week.

And, after years of transforming Bolton into a team worthy of finishing fifth in the Premiership playing direct football, McDonald has urged Newcastle supporters to look beyond that and believe Allardyce could provide that silky style of play.

The Carlisle boss said: "Everyone talks about the long ball game but they don't understand Sam. I've known him since he was manager at Notts County and back then, he played three at the back.

"The thing about Sam is he's flexible and adaptable. He'll play the football which suits the club. Critics say he's rigidly 4-3-3 but he only adopted that system at Bolton because it got them results.

"And anyway it wasn't out-and-out long ball, it was about putting the ball into areas where it hurts the opposition. Isn't that what football's all about?"