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.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.After joining Blackburn there followed a 2-2 draw last season, and then a 2-0 triumph at the Reebok Stadium earlier this season.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.There is no doubt, though, with Allardyce patrolling the Ewood Park touchline this weekend when Bolton visit, he is looking to complete the double."For me, it's an absolute necessity the players go out there and win it for me," insisted Allardyce."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."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."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."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."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."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."It's a local derby and anything could happen on the day."Blackburn are currently eight points above the relegation zone and nine points shy of the fabled 40-point safety mark.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.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."It's been a great fortress, which is down to everybody pulling together."Right now Bolton's need is arguably greater than ours, but we're in a better phase of form."I remember, though, playing them last year when they were again struggling to score goals."We found ourselves 2-0 down in the first 20 minutes or so before we came storming back in the second half."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." Blackburn v Bolton. Click here to bet.