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Matthew Hobkinson

Sam Allardyce calls for Leeds United to 'shock' Man City in first Premier League game in charge

Leeds United interim manager Sam Allardyce has demanded for his squad to be adaptable after he called for them to "shock" Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend.

A trip to Man City comes as the first of Allardyce's four games in charge as interim head coach. Newcastle United, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur follow after this weekend's clash with the reigning champions.

The 68-year-old is more than aware of how difficult a test he finds himself facing first up, but called for his squad to give their all to try and pull off an upset against Pep Guardiola's team.

ALSO READ: Sam Allardyce insists he is 'as good as' Arteta, Klopp and Guardiola for 'football knowledge'

"We will try and go to Man City and do our best to get a result and I can only wait to see what the reaction is when we kick-off on Saturday afternoon," Allardyce said.

"My main aim is I don't think there's too much of a problem with Leeds in possession but there is when they haven't got it because of the amount of goals they've conceded.

"My call to the players is to be more adaptable. I have to form a pattern of play for each game to help the players win and that can't be by playing the same way every game."

Although he admitted that it wasn't the most favourable run-in facing the team, Allardyce insisted that he is focused on achieving a points total with Leeds that will guarantee their status as a Premier League side in the 2023/24 season.

"I wish it was a bit less challenging but we have to face what we have to face. The first thing I did when I looked at the fixtures was I thought they could've been a bit kinder. We have to create a shock so hopefully we can shock a few people in the Premier League by getting the results we need to stay up. I hope we can find six points from four."

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