BIG SAM'S UP FOUR IT

Allardyce signs on ahead of crunch run of games

- JEREMY CROSS

SAM ALLARDYCE has accepted one of the toughest challenges of his career after taking on the Leeds manager’s job. 

And if he can pull off another great escape on behalf of the Yorkshire club, it might just be his greatest achievement of all.

‘Fireman Sam’, as he’s become known, has just four games to stop the Elland Road outfit’s season from going down in flames.

First up is the small matter of a trip to the Etihad to face the defending champions and Treble chasers Manchester City on Saturday.

This is followed by the visit of goal-crazy Newcastle, who have won eight of their last nine games and sit third.

Leeds then travel to West Ham, where fans never took to Allardyce following his mixed spell there as boss.

And they will finish their woeful season with a home clash with Tottenham, who still need to secure a place in Europe and have one of the most lethal strikers in world football in the shape of England captain Harry Kane.