Big Sam calls for x-factor

Last updated : 13 January 2010 By Footymad Previewer

He recalled playmaker Jay-Jay Okocha's majestic performance at this stage of the competition for Bolton in 2004, when he was manager of the club.

The Nigerian scored a brace, both from free-kicks, in a 5-2 victory against Villa before departing for the African Nations Cup.

That three-goal lead was good enough to see Bolton through to the final at the Millennium Stadium, where they lost to Middlesbrough.

Now Allardyce wants a Blackburn player to replicate Okocha in this the club's sixth semi-final appearance in either the Carling Cup or FA Cup in eight years.

He said: "Hopefully someone will be inspired to deliver something like that for us. That is what you need in those particular games to get through.

"Some of our players have played in a considerable amount of semi-finals, so this will not be new to them.

"Most of them, though, have suffered the disappointment of defeat not the elation of victory. They have to draw on that experience so they are not deflated at the end of both legs.

"Perhaps that will inspire someone and give them a great moment that we grasp onto and remember."

Allardyce added: "I can still recall Jay-Jay's two free kicks that night, particularly the second one. It clinched the victory for us in the first leg and I have never seen a free kick scored like that ever since.

"I have to take credit as we managed to delay his call up to the African Nations Cup, so he could play in first leg. So we did a marvellous job between us.

"We got through to the final and although it was disappointing not to win the trophy, it was a great adventure and we want to experience that again."

Allardyce could be without a number of key players against Villa.

Vince Grella (thigh) and Jason Roberts (knee) are ruled out through injury while Benni McCarthy (back) and Gael Givet (head) remain doubtful. El-Hadji Diouf is also absent through suspension.

Blackburn have not won in eight games in all competitions since beating Chelsea in the last eight of the Carling Cup on penalties.

 

 

Source: Team Talk

Source: Team Talk