Allardyce: I want Newcastle to break new ground

Sam Allardyce wants to take Newcastle to "a point where they haven't been before" - and claims they are only 40% there at the moment.

Two goals from Obafemi Martins and one from Charles N'Zogbia secured the Magpies a 3-1 opening-day victory against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Without a number of key players - including goalkeeper Shay Given, Michael Owen and Joey Barton - they won emphatically.

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He said: "I want to improve Newcastle to a point where they haven't been before.

"With the support of the owner and chairman the club is moving forward very quickly.

"I am 40% where I want to be. There is another 60% to go and I have got to buy myself some time to get there.

"It is about winning matches and we have managed to start well.

"When I took over at Bolton in 1999 we never stopped winning and that gave me the chance to build a fantastic structure at the club.

"I want to do that at Newcastle but it might take me a year or two."