


Newcastle Chairman Mike Ashley has appointed Craig Tough as United's new boss. Tough, Sam Allardyce's Assistant Manager, has taken charge from 'Big Sam' after Allardyce's deaprture in May. Tough has signed a 3 year deal at St James' Park and is said to be 'absolutely delighted' at his appointment and is confident he can fulfill Newcastle's potential.
In his playing days, Tough was a strong-minded centre half, with a no-nonsense attitude and fans hope he will be the 'New Roy Keane' of managers. Tough made 267 appearances for his home club, Coventry City, and 12 appearances for England and retired aged just 29 because of a reocurring back problem, putting him out of many games during his time.
Newcastle fans have come out in force to praise the appoinment, some saying it was about time Newcastle appointed a manager who wouldn't take no for an answer and would force the players in to form with his no-nonsense frame of mind.
SkySports and BBC Pundit Alan Hanson has said that 'only time will tell' if Tough will be the right appointment, but has said that if Tough is to survive, he will need the full backing of the 'Toon Army' who as we know from previous experiences, are only too happy to voice their opinions as soon as things start to go wrong, as former boss Sam Allardyce found out, just a few months into his tenure.
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FIRST SQUAD
STRIKERS
Mark Viduka
Michael Owen
Obafemi Martins
Shola Ameobi
MIDFIELDERS
Matty Pattison
Damien Duff
Alan Smith
James Troisi
James Milner
Belozoglu Emre
Joey Barton
Nicky Butt
DEFENDERS
Charles N'Zogbia
Jose Enrique
Celestine Babayaro
Habib Beye
Steven Taylor
David Edgar
Cacapa
Geremi
Abdoulaye Faye
GOALKEEPERS
Shay Given
Steve Harper
Mark Viduka
Michael Owen
Obafemi Martins
Shola Ameobi
MIDFIELDERS
Matty Pattison
Damien Duff
Alan Smith
James Troisi
James Milner
Belozoglu Emre
Joey Barton
Nicky Butt
DEFENDERS
Charles N'Zogbia
Jose Enrique
Celestine Babayaro
Habib Beye
Steven Taylor
David Edgar
Cacapa
Geremi
Abdoulaye Faye
GOALKEEPERS
Shay Given
Steve Harper
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