Little Sammy replaces Big Sam

Owen back in Reading defeat

Wright out at Chester

—– Less than 24 hours after Sam Allardyce resigns as manager of Bolton Wanders, his assistant Sammy Lee is promoted to the Reebok Stadium hot-seat.
It’s the first managerial appointment for the experienced coach, and the former Liverpool midfielder took little persuasion: “It took me one second to decide to accept the job after it was offered to me.
“The education I’ve gained from working with Sam Allardyce has been immense.
“I have to continue what Sam has started. That’s first and foremost, and then re-evaluate it after that.
“It certainly is a healthy position that Bolton are in, we’re now contesting for a place in Europe.
“The main thing for us is to keep the players stable and to make sure that we get the result we firmly feel we deserve after all the hard work we’ve done this season.”
Chairman Phil Gartside reveals that Allardyce’s decision to quit had been agreed a fortnight ago, with press speculation suggesting that a relative lack of transfer funds being the root of his discontent.
Gartside’s view tends to point to the same conclusion: “If you look at where Bolton are in the Premiership [fifth] and where they have been over the last few years, there must have been some funds available.
“Look at last summer, when we brought in a world-class striker in Nicolas Anelka and Abdoulaye Meite too, so I would like to put it on record that funds have been available.
“However, to go from fifth to fourth place in the Premiership isn’t about another £10million; it’s about £100million.
“We work within our resources and it is based on what we can afford to put in.”
In the two remaining games of the season, Sammy Lee’s initial task is to clinch a place in the UEFA Cup.

—– Following his serious knee injury suffered during the World Cup ten months ago, Michael Owen makes his first appearance of the season.
The Newcastle United striker plays for the full game at Reading (his first 90 minutes since Boxing Day 2005), but that’s just about all the good news for the Toon as they stay firmly in mid-table after a 0-1 defeat.
It’s going to be another trophy-less season for United so, inevitably, speculation links the now available Sam Allardyce to the non-existent managerial vacancy at St James’ Park.
Current boss Glenn Roeder shrugs off the rumours: “Down the years Newcastle have always been an easy target for speculation. It happened with Graeme Souness, Bobby Robson and now me.”
In contrast, Dave Kitson’s goal keeps the Royals on course for UEFA Cup qualification at the end of their first-ever season in the top flight.
They are now seventh but, considering a European campaign could stretch their resources to the limit, manager Steve Coppell is not getting too excited: “We will accept whatever happens and my job is just to get as many points as we can.
“If that means Europe, we will take it. It’s just an after thought. We just think about preparation for the next game.”

—– Manager Mark Wright’s second spell in charge of Chester City comes to an end after a disappointing season for the League Two club.
City are in 18th position and a club statements reads: “The club have moved to ensure that the foundations for progress next season are laid early.”
Youth team coach and former Manchester United midfielder Simon Davies is placed in temporary charge.