Allardyce Promises Changes

By Mark Heys
September 12 2005

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is ready to make small changes to his side for the midweek UEFA Cup debut against Bulgarian side Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

Allardyce is keen to select a line up different from the Blackburn game that will be able to balance the extra commitments of European football with the bread and butter that is the Premiership.

The Plovdiv game comes just a few days before a difficult trip to Premiership high-fliers Manchester City and the Bolton manager is hopeful that his players will be able to put in a decent level of performance in both matches.

"We won't make too many changes (to the Blackburn game) but we will make some," said Allardyce earlier.

"We've got to try and win the home leg comfortably enough so that we make sure we get through, but we've got to keep enough back to try and have the quality, the strength, the stamina and the physical presence to cope with a Manchester City side that is in top form and playing the best they can play.

"I saw them get a draw at Manchester United on Saturday and they put up a sterling performance. We'll be going there to face a side that's in confident mood and it will be difficult, but we'll focus on that fully once we've got the European dream out of the way."

Bolton are excited at the prospect of UEFA Cup football for the first time ever but know that success in the Premiership is more vital to the club's future. Allardyce is likely to look at new signings Hidetoshi Nakata, Jared Borgetti and Fabrice Fernandes against Plovdiv so that some regulars are given their chance to rest.