Source: Team_Talk
Allardyce makes this one personal
It is approaching two years since Allardyce left Bolton after seven and a half in charge, and although water has since flowed under the bridge, the desire still burns to put one over on the Trotters.[LNB]Allardyce has enjoyed two wins and a draw in the three games he has been at the helm of other clubs against Bolton, initially starting out with a victory in his first game as Newcastle boss.[LNB]After joining Blackburn there followed a 2-2 draw last season, and then a 2-0 triumph at the Reebok Stadium earlier this season.[LNB]However, that was overshadowed by the fact he was not present that day after being taken into hospital 24 hours previously to undergo heart surgery.[LNB]There is no doubt, though, with Allardyce patrolling the Ewood Park touchline this weekend when Bolton visit, he is looking to complete the double.[LNB]"For me, it's an absolute necessity the players go out there and win it for me," insisted Allardyce.[LNB]"Of course, they want to win it for themselves, but if they can do a bit extra and win it for me then it'd be a great pleasure for me.[LNB]"Anybody and everybody who plays or manages against their old club, you want to beat them. You don't want to be the one with egg on your face.[LNB]"So I'm looking forward to my old club coming here, and my team going out and showing the Bolton fans all what they are missing.[LNB]"If we win, it would be a very important victory, a very important three points to help us close in on safety, and then we can see how far we can go on in the Premier League.[LNB]"If we do win it would also put 11 points between ourselves and Bolton who are in the bottom three, which would be a massive gap with so few games left.[LNB]"But we can't take anything for granted, even though we've a fantastic home record and Bolton's away record is not so good.[LNB]"It's a local derby and anything could happen on the day."[LNB]Blackburn are currently eight points above the relegation zone and nine points shy of the fabled 40-point safety mark.[LNB]Allardyce's side are aiming for a fourth consecutive home victory in the league, in contrast to a Bolton team who have not won away since the end of September and have scored just once in their last five games.[LNB]Allardyce, though, knows the respective form of both clubs means nothing, adding: "At home, we've done exceptionally well this season, following on from last season when I joined the club.[LNB]"It's been a great fortress, which is down to everybody pulling together.[LNB]"Right now Bolton's need is arguably greater than ours, but we're in a better phase of form.[LNB]"I remember, though, playing them last year when they were again struggling to score goals.[LNB]"We found ourselves 2-0 down in the first 20 minutes or so before we came storming back in the second half.[LNB]"But if we can win four home games on the trot it would be a tremendous feat, especially at this time when it is important to grow and push up the league."[LNB][LNB] Blackburn v Bolton. Click here to bet.
