ALLARDYCE FEARS HIS CUP RUNNING OVER
SAM ALLARDYCE fears that victory in tonight’s Carling Cup quarter-final at Wigan could help ruin his season. The Bolton manage r desperately wants to win the competition to make up for the disappointment of losing in the final to Middlesbrough two years ago.
But he is worried that a two- legged semi- final in January, when he faces losing five players to the African Nations Cup, will jeopardise the work his team have put in to reach fifth place in the Premiership.
Allardyce said: ‘ We could have massive problems if we continue to be very successful on the field. My biggest concern is that if we manage to beat Wigan we will have an even bigger problem next month with the African Nations Cup.
‘ We’d have a Carling Cup semi- final, an FA Cup campaign and also our Premiership fixtures. I wouldn’t want to get to the end of that period and be saying to myself that our season has been devastated because of this. I couldn’t cope with that after all we’ve done this season so far.’
With an eye on the five matches in the next 14 days, Allardyce will make several changes to the team who b e a t E v e r t o n 4 - 0 o n Saturday, which could mean chances for Hidetoshi Nakata, Jay- Jay Okocha and Jared Borghetti.
None of these players have been getting regular games this season but last night Allardyce said they only have themselves to blame. He added: ‘ It’s no good shaking their heads at me. If they’re not getting picked then it’s their fault.’ Wigan manager Pa u l Jewell will field a weakened team for tonight’s game at the JJB Stadium because he is not convinced his team are safe from relegation, despite a haul of 28 points from 17 games. He said: ‘ When I was at Bradford City I remember Wimbledon being seventh or eighth with a few games to go and getting relegated.
‘We’d need to have a Devon Loch situation ourselves not to stay up, but it can happen. There will be no complacency from us.
‘ Our main objective will always be staying in the Premiership. We will put a strong team out but if there are any injuries or knocks I won’t be risking anyone.’