Portsmouth 0 - 1 Bolton
Kevin Nolan (22)
1 touch stunner
Pre-Match News
Bolton skipper Nolan: We'll win it for Sam
tribalfooball.com - September 23, 2006
Bolton Wanderers captain Kevin Nolan says they'll beat Portsmouth
tomorrow for manager Sam Allardyce.
Angered, but galvanised, by the attack on their manager's
integrity, Nolan says the players are hoping to give him something
to cheer at Fratton Park.
"We want a positive result for the gaffer because he deserves it,"
he told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.
The Bolton players held a team meeting yesterday, when they
assembled for the first time since the programme was screened on
Tuesday night. They emerged determined to turn a negative portrayal
of their manager into a positive reaction on the field.
And, Nolan says their determination has been matched only by the
support they have had from the fans.
"We are all fully behind the gaffer," he said, "and I would like to
thank the fans, on behalf of all the players, for the support we've
received from them over the past few days. They've been absolutely
fantastic.
"Now we're hoping to give Sam something to cheer about. Hopefully,
we can get him through this tough time.
"We are a family at this club, always behind each other, even at
tough times.
"But the important thing now is to do our talking out on the
football pitch, starting on Monday.
"There's certainly been no adverse reaction here. The gaffer took
training yesterday and I think it was good for him to get back on
the training ground, because he knows he's got fantastic support
from the lads and all the staff."[/color]
Post-Match News
Bolton skipper Nolan: Winner for Sam
tribalfooball.com - September 25, 2006
Bolton Wanderers matchwinner Kevin Nolan says his goal against
Portsmouth last night was for gaffer Sam Allardyce.
Nolan ended Pompey's unbeaten run with a 25-yard volley to bring
some cheer to Bolton boss Allardyce, named in the Panorama bung
allegations.
And the midfielder said: "That win was for him. It was a dogged
performance, that's what we're all about.
"It's been a tough week but it shows the unity we have, right
through the staff from the manager."
Allardyce admitted the game was more stressful than usual. He said:
"Every Premiership match is emotionally exhausting but this one was
a little more with what's gone on this week."
Allardyce briefly lost his cool when he was asked live on TV if he
had ever been offered a bung. Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling
posed the question and a clearly-rattled Allardyce paused before
saying: "You're out of order asking me that."
Pompey would have gone top if they had won and were hoping to equal
Chelsea's record of six clean sheets at the start of a season. It
was their first defeat of the season but boss Harry Redknapp
admitted he felt sorry for Big Sam.
Redknapp, who was also named in the BBC programme, said: "I feel
for him big time. It was different for me but I could sense
standing on the touchline beside him that it has got to him."
Allardyce added: "Jussi Jaaskelainen made some great saves for us
and I am very proud of the players.
"I can see why teams don't win here often and that's our first away
win since last December. It's a record we weren't proud of but we
have got rid of it now."