Allardyce eyes payback

Allardyce is aiming to make a point at The Hawthorns

Sam Allardyce hopes to take revenge over the directors who sacked him when his Bolton team play West Brom at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

The Dudley-born Bolton manager was coach when the Baggies suffered a humiliating home defeat by Woking in the FA Cup in 1991.

He was sacked along with Brian Talbot following the loss, and still remembers the pain of the defeat.

"The game against West Brom has a little bit of significance for me," said Allardyce, who knows the game is a relegation six-pointer.

"People tend to forget I had an 18-month period there.

Some of the directors who sacked me are still there

Sam Allardyce

"I was brought in by Brian Talbot as reserve-team manager and then after the first season got promoted to assistant manager.

"Unfortunately I had just got my feet under the table when I lost my job, which I found rather unfair. It was a bitter pill to swallow because I didn't think I deserved it.

"Being a local lad and going to West Brom was a great privilege for me, considering the club's history and the fact that it was my first real coaching job.

"Some of the directors who sacked me are still there, so I will have a wry smile if we do well on Saturday."

Allardyce said he knew soon after the defeat that his job was on the line.

"The following week we drove in, and 10 of the directors' cars were there - so we knew what was going to happen.

"Brian said all along he would recommend to the board that if he had to go he would understand. He made it known that I should stay, but they obviously didn't listen."

Allardyce is set to draft in his new strikers Salva Ballesta and Pierre Yves-Andre on Saturday as well as defender Florent Laville.

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