Allardyce Explains Striker Snub

By Mark Heys
July 13 2005

Sam Allardyce has revealed why he passed up on the chance to sign prolific Zambian forward Collins Mbesuma, who joined Portsmouth yesterday afternoon.

The 21-year old wasn't willing to come to Bolton on a weeks trial, instead preffering to sign a three year deal with Pompey subject to a work permit being granted.

Allardyce says that he was given minimal information about the players capabilities and had to make a split decision on whether or not to sign the forward through what he had seen on footage from a DVD.

The Bolton boss told the official site that it was a big risk given the size of the fee that was being touted by Mbesuma's club Kaizer Chiefs.

"Collins left as he wouldn't train with us for a few days and that is all we asked really."

"I had very little information about him other than a couple of videos or DVDs on him and that wasn't enough for us to take a gamble - even though he's a goalscorer.

"The amount of money that the whole package involved, for what we knew about him, was too much.I am not saying he won't be a good player, or a bargain, but we can't take that risk."