We owe Sam Allardyce big time, says Bolton boss Owen Coyle

Owen Coyle has paid tribute to Sam Allardyce, telling Bolton fans they would not have a club with such a bright future without the job the Blackburn manager did there. Allardyce can expect a rough ride from travelling supporters when Bolton arrive at Ewood Park this afternoon, but it seems he has an admirer in Coyle, despite his eventual successor being desperate for a win to help avoid relegation.Coyle said: 'When someone does a job of that nature, there's nothing wrong with him still being associated with Bolton. It takes a certain kind of person to bring it all together and Sam played a huge, huge part in it. Legacy: Striker Kevin Davies is just one Allardyce signing still at Bolton Paying tribute: Bolton manager Owen Coyle'When I first came here as a player, there were two bowling greens outside and a couple of pitches. We changed in a room that was half the size of the media room. So when I came back having remembered it from when I left in 1995, it was just incredible. This is a legacy. 'The job Sam did was incredible. He's a real football man and has been great for me. He's phoned me a few times with little bits of advice. 'Sam really took it on and established Bolton as a Premier League club. The football club have a lot to thank him for.' Coyle, meanwhile, is hoping a heart-to-heart with Johan Elmander will inspire his misfiring striker to find his best form. He added: 'He's really up for the task of proving to everyone what a good player he is. 'I've no doubts that when he hits the back of the net, which he will do, he'll be up and running.'  THE FIRING LINE: Its double tops for Steve Bruce! The Black Cats' boss is our No 1 for the chop two weeks runningBLACKBURN v Bolton: Sam Allardyce only missing suspended Chris SambaBOLTON WANDERERS FC

Source: Daily_Mail