Sam Was Right To Stay - Okocha

Last updated : 24 February 2005 By Mark Heys
Bolton skipper Jay-Jay Okocha feels that his manager Sam Allardyce made the correct decision when turning down an offer to take over at Newcastle United earlier on in the season.

Allardyce was targeted by the Magpies as a potential replacement for Sir Bobby Robson in August but in the end he decided to stay loyal to Bolton, a decision which Okocha feels was the right one in hindsight of the two teams current league placings.

"If we look at it now, he made the right decision to stay here, Now we've got to prove him right by staying in front of them and finishing in front of them." Okocha told the Bolton Evening News

"He's done a fantastic job with the little budget he has, This is my third season here now and I know what is going on and he has done a great job here.

"I must give him the credit for getting in the kind of players that he has got. That takes a lot and I must also give him credit for keeping the kind of spirit we have in the squad. He has done an unbelievable job here."