Sam Hopes To Learn From Plovdiv

By Mark Heys
September 30 2005

Sam Allardyce was open minded as to who he would like his team to play in the next stage of the UEFA Cup following their late win over Lokomotiv Plovdiv yesterday.

Bolton join 39 other teams in the hat for the draw which will take place at noon on Tuesday, and the gaffer has stated he would prefer to meet a side of similar European experience to the Wanderers so to give the side a better chance of progressing.

"If we want to live in the fantasy end of the group stages, then we want to see some of the big sides from Italy, France, Spain or Holland coming to the Reebok," said Allardyce to the Manchester Evening News.

"But then if we want to progress even further in this competition, then maybe it would be better if smaller clubs like ours were in our group. I'm not sure what I want.

"All I do want right now is to enjoy the moment and then ensure the players are relaxed and ready for an important local derby against Wigan on Sunday."

Allardyce has learned many lessons over the two European legs with Plovdiv, most notably protecting a lead and not conceding against a side who are of unknown quantity like the Bulgarians were to Bolton prior to their UEFA Cup match-up.

"First and foremost I've learned there is no such thing as an easy game these days, although to be fair we never expected it," added Allardyce.

"If any of the players did, then they are foolish and they certainly know now that is never going to be the case.

"I also think this experience brings home to the players just how difficult Europe is, particularly if you do what we did in the first leg, and that's concede that all-important away goal. That has to stop.

"Then when we come away we have to learn how to better protect a lead. There's no question about that because we didn't protect very well the lead we had.

"Ultimately, we ended up conceding a goal, and if it had stayed that way then we would have been out.Thankfully we've showed great character to come storming back, with the second goal a great one."