Big Sam out to avoid Euro hangover

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has challenged his players to buck the familiar trend of teams struggling in the Premiership directly after a round of European games.

He leads Bolton into continental competition for the first time in their history tonight, with a UEFA Cup first-round tie against Bulgarian side Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

But Allardyce has also been keen to underline that Europe is Bolton's treat this season, with a lofty finish in the Premiership still the priority.

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren saw his side struggle badly in the league after UEFA Cup games on their European debut last season, winning just one of eight domestic fixtures following European ties.

This Sunday sees Bolton head to Manchester City for a local derby which would be difficult enough under normal circumstance.

"I've one eye open for Manchester City on Sunday," confirmed Allardyce.

"Every team that has played in Europe, be it Champions League or UEFA Cup, see getting back to the league as their biggest problem.

"If you speak to Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been involved in European football nearly all his life, he will tell you that's the case, as will Steve McClaren after what he discovered with Middlesbrough last season.

"I've not personally spoken to Jose Mourinho, but I know from listening to his interviews, it's his biggest problem as well.

"No matter what you do, performances always seem to suffer. The bigger clubs are still capable of getting a result, but not the performance they would like.

"That's the key to it all, getting the result and accepting the performance might not be as good as you would expect."

Although new to the European experience, he feels Bolton are well prepared to face the Bulgarians, third in their championship last season.

"The important thing is we hopefully take a good lead to a team that last season never lost a home game," he said.

"That shows how difficult the return leg might be. But I'm also expecting the first leg to be extremely difficult as they are an unknown commodity and coming to England playing a Premiership club for the first time.

"Hopefully, we'll hit our game and produce enough to win it. I'd settle for 2-0. I'd be delighted with that. Any more than that would be an absolute bonus.

"If we can't get that, then let's get a 1-0 scoreline, go over there and get ourselves through to the groups stages."

Allardyce is expected to be without midfielder Gary Speed (hamstring), while goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and striker Kevin Davies are nursing ankle knocks.

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