Douglas, got some early season notes here. I’ve always thought the modern game had a lot to do with psychology, and this season I’ve been taking the chance to apply that to my own performance. I think it’s important for managers to practice what they preach as they say. Still, it’s all in there, and I’ve had another thought about a title for the book. How about ‘Big Sam, a modern mind at work’?

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Duncan, more for the book here. I like to think that this section will give some insight into the kind of innovative tactics and out of the box thinking that have got me where I am today, oh, and there’s a bit on Shepherd going as well. Of course what with Celtic, Juventus and now Sampdoria taken care of that’s practically a Champions League qualifying group, bet that lot at the FA are wishing they’d given me the England gig now. Anyway, had another thought on the title: ‘A footballing renaissance, how Big Sam brought glamour back to the beautiful game’ – what do you think?

It didn’t take me long to work out that the new regime wasn’t like the old one. They kept holding meetings in odd places for a start. The day he told me Shepherd was out Mort had arranged to meet me at a building site in Walkergate. As I arrived he was watching some concrete being poured, an oddly satisfied look on his face

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Big Sam’s write up of his Austria trip, straight from our ITK source at the publisher.

Douglas, I’m thinking that this stuff could double as a travel guide. You know Big Sams’ guide to Europe. Show off my cultured side. So how about we call it ‘around the world with Big Sam’? Obviously not being in Europe this season will limit the scope a bit, but I think a section on regional variations in chip butties would have the book flying off the shelves.

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More ITK news from Big Sam’s publishing company, this time giving an insight into board level drama and the events that led to approaching Edmilson

Douglas, here’s a bit more for the book. Obviously I’ve been a bit busy lately what with all the transfers and the enquiry thing but I managed to get this down for you. While I’m writing this I’ve had a thought, the way things are going I don’t think one book is going to cover it. How about we call it ‘Allardyce Explains is All : Part 1 of 10?’

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Once again our mole at Big Sam’s publishers has delivered the goods. This time it’s an insight into the early stages of Big Sam’s transfer negotiations.

Douglas, more material for the book here. I think this chapter gives a good insight into the mind of the modern footballer and the kind of motivational techniques you need to succeed as a manager. Speaking of which how’s this for a title ‘The Allardyce Method, how one man’s genius revolutionised football?’

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Sorry Douglas, we won’t be changing the title to ‘Mega Sam: Season 1′ after all. Shepherd changed his mind on the golf course, even after I applied a little negotiating pressure with the sand wedge he still wouldn’t agree. Never mind, he couldn’t say a word at the press conference so all the media was on me. Anyway, here’s the next bit for the book.

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Newcastle-Online received this text in an email this morning. We offer it as it is, without comment, but the level of detail makes us believe this is a credible document.

[Douglas, these are my notes on this mornings call. Type them up and get them over to the ghost writer, and tell him I’ve got a new title for the seasons diary. I want to call it ‘Taming the Biggest Job in the World, the managerial genius of Big Sam’.]

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