If time is in short supply for Sam Allardyce, then confidence certainly is not. The 68-year-old knows his way through a press conference like the back of his hand after more than 30 years on the management beat and it showed at Thorp Arch on Wednesday.
A rudimentary analysis of the cross-section of Leeds United fans on social media suggested Allardyce has a mountain to climb in proving he is the right man for the job. And yet, after so long in the game and reaching (briefly) the pinnacle of coaching in England, you sense Allardyce knows exactly how to draw spectators in.
The veteran has absolute faith in his ability on the training pitch and in the arena, but the only doubt which seemed to creep from him was the little time he has to make the gains Leeds need. If the press conference began with a muted entrance, once Allardyce drew the smiles and chuckles he wanted he was off and away with swagger and a little twinkle in the eye.
