We had no 'Plan B'. But Sven-Goran Eriksson has urged Sam Allardyce to ignore the critics who condemn his long-ball tactics.
Sven Backs Sam's 'Long Ball' Game!
Eriksson: "If you are a manager, you are always criticised for one reason or another.
"But I don't think Sam listens to it.
"What he has done is get some exceptionally good results with Bolton. He got them into Europe as well, so you can only admire him for that. At the end, who cares about his style of football?
"In any case, I have seen tapes of Newcastle and Bolton and they do play good football. The point is, they do what they are good at. Isn't that supposed to be what a manager is there to do?
"Sam Allardyce is a fox. He will prepare every detail of this game. He will make life difficult for us, I am sure about that and we will have to play well and defend better than we did at Fulham if we want to win."