Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies says Newcastle's sacking of Sam Allardyce is "a joke".

He told the Independent on Sunday: "It's a joke. If they were sat in the bottom three you'd have something to cry about, but they're 11th. The fans there don't seem to have the patience. I can't understand it really, I just couldn't believe it. I thought he'd be given a bit more time, but once the fans and media got on to him he didn't stand much chance, did he?

"You knew where you stood with him," he added. "If he had something to say to you he would tell you, whether it was criticism or encouragement. His man-management skills and the way he knew how to prepare to beat a team were brilliant."