Sammy Summary

Sam on Signings:

'The most important thing is probably the recruitment of new players for next season as quickly as we can. To come back for the pre-season with the majority of the squad in place is something I really hope can be achieved. If we can start all together then it makes life a lot easier. I think that there has always been funds available to bring in new players but what we have to do is make the right selection process, to make sure it is the right player, who wants to come to Newcastle and is capable of producing on this stage, on this wonderful stage at Newcastle. And that's not always a big player. It could be someone who everyone else has not quite heard of, but there are plenty of players out there who could come here and come to the Premiership.'

Sam on Backroom Staff

'It's been a very, very hectic few days and the decision has now been made, hopefully it will be a very successful time for me, Freddy Shepherd and everyone involved at Newcastle United - pulling in the right direction. You only have to look at the past in terms of recent years, I'm under no illusions. I'm under the same pressure as other managers who have been and gone and not quite achieved enough. I'm under the same pressures to deliver as soon as possible. But my life is not about delivering instantly but also to build something sustainable. To buy some time initially I need to get the results. Then I can build the backroom staff and playing staff to get results. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the same success as I have in the past four years at Bolton.'

Sam on EMO and Martins:

'I haven't spoken to Michael but I'm sure that when I do he'll tell me exactly what issues he might have. For me, I would have thought the only issue he would have would be to stay fit and play for England over the summer - if he's ready, if he can produce his best, he might have to play that a bit carefully. You would not want to lose your leading goalscorers, would you? Certainly from that point of view, they are two fantastic goalscorers who are very much a part of the future for Newcastle.'

Sam on the challenge:

'I am looking forward to working and having the sort of resources I have never had before. I am looking forward to trying to invest those resources in the best possible players we can find to make sure we can compete at the highest level against the sides in the Premiership, and ultimately to try to break into the big four. This club is capable of doing that - that is why I am here.'

Sam on Discipline:

"I have got no problems. If there is any unrest in the dressing room, it will be my job to find out and resolve those problems. The only way the club will get success is by having a team spirit where everybody fights for each other and everybody looks after each other. If we do not get that, it does not matter how good your players are, you will get those factions and you will get those Chinese whispers that can cause a distraction from what the ultimate goal is. Everybody here at Newcastle wants success, so we should all pull the same way to get that. But if there is anything to sort out in the dressing room, that would not be a problem from my point of view. I will find out where it is, I will sort it out and then we will get on with it.'

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