ALAN SMITH wants Newcastle United to reproduce the fighting spirit that brought an opening day triumph on a regular basis, and pinpoints manager Sam Allardyce as the man to ensure it happens.

Smith's tenacity in a three-man midfield epitomised the Magpies' spirit at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday when Bolton were brushed aside.

It was the sort of display Newcastle fans have been crying out for, although having experienced plenty false dawns in the past, those same supporters will be reluctant to jump for joy now.

However, Allardyce's first game in charge highlighted he has already started to do things right. Now the players are focused on ensuring a bright new beginning continues apace.

On Saturday Newcastle face Aston Villa and Smith feels Saturday's early season promise could be here to stay.

"It's vital to get a good start. It's one of the most physical games you get in the season - at Bolton - and Newcastle have lost there the last five times so we knew how difficult it would be," said Smith.

"I think we probably surprised them a little bit. In the last few years people have said Newcastle will concede goals and blah, blah, blah but we weren't pushovers - that's something the manager wants to instil in us."

Having tasted victory in his first competitive fixture, Smith could hardly have dreamed of a better start.

But the 26-year-old is not about to get carried away. And, although the three-man midfield system may have worked for Allardyce at Bolton, Smith does not feel that will be the end of his manager's tinkering.

"We need to build on the result at Bolton because one result gets you nothing in a season," said the England international.

"It's difficult to judge after just one game. There's strange results on the first day of the season everywhere. I'm sure the gaffer has a million more ideas he wants to put to us and there's a lot of hard work to be done."

Former Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien has signed a two-year contract with Bolton after leaving Portsmouth.