Allardyce: Ashley must give me time

Sportsmail revealed last week that Ashley would refuse to give the new Newcastle manager any assurances and that he would have one season to mount a challenge on a Champions League place.

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The former Bolton manager will be given a transfer war chest believed to be around £30m this summer but the new regime, who plan to meet current chairman Freddy Shepherd later this week, have not given Allardyce any long-term guarantees regarding his position.

Speaking about his own position for the first time since Ashley bought Sir John Hall's 41.6 per cent stake in the club, Allardyce said: "To win football matches you have to build a strong culture, structure and team behind the scenes, and a strong team on the pitch - that does take time.

"Obviously I shall need some time and a little bit of patience, sometimes from the fans, sometimes from everybody who works at the club.

"I know first and foremost I can give myself as much time as I need by winning football matches. I can't come into this job and not think that's the main priority.

"We've got some excellent and very talented players already at the club but it's a place some players don't find comfortable, and we've got to make sure we find the players that are comfortable with that type of atmosphere and it brings the best out of them.

"We've got a lot here already, and we've just got to make sure we give them a little bit more guidance, a little bit more organisation and a bit more belief so we can start turning things around early next season.

"I've inherited hugely talented players and I've just got to try and guide them and give them the support that they need, leaving no stone unturned so they can be best prepared as they possibly can and give their best every time they run out for Newcastle United."

Allardyce has been left shaken by the dramatic behind the scenes turnaround at St James' Park, with Shepherd believed to be softening in his approach to fight Ashley.