Big Sam: Toon aren’t Gunner do a Bolton

Dec 2 2007 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

MOVING to Newcastle has cost Sam Allardyce his psychological edge over Arsene Wenger.

Wenger’s Arsenal used to baulk at taking on Allardyce’s Bolton away from home, but will have few such reservations travelling to Tyneside on Wednesday.

Why? Big Sam cannot bring the Trotters’ old tactics to bear at St James’s.

“This team is not capable of doing what Bolton did,” said Allardyce. “The one I had at Bolton had a certain way of playing and knew that it was successful. That became a burden for Arsenal and for Arsene Wenger.”

Bolton lost just once in six Premier League home games against the Gunners under Allardyce.

“There was a bit of reverse psychology and they found it hugely difficult to beat us,” he added.

“Some of their players’ body language wasn’t great when they ran out at the Reebok.

“But this is a totally different club and a totally different team.”