Allardyce frustrated by Okocha

Sam Allardyce took a tough stance with Nigerian captain Jay-Jay Okocha as Bolton slumped to a fourth successive defeat today.

Okocha was hauled off in the second half and replaced by rookie striker Ricardo Vaz Te with Manchester City going on to record a 1-0 victory.

Bolton boss Allardyce explained: “I did not think he was contributing enough.

“His build-up play, his passing and beating people is the main part of his game.

“But I don’t think he did that so we changed it around to give us more focus going forward.

“We got that but unfortunately we didn’t get the goal.”

Bolton carved out a number of chances with Anthony Barness watching in disbelief as goalkeeper David James turned away his superb volley.

Tal Ben Haim, Les Ferdinand, Gary Speed and Stelios Giannakopoulos all got in sight of the City goal but failed to get that decisive strike.

Allardyce said: “I feel bitterly disappointed. We are not getting the rub of the green at the moment and we are falling into a depressing run in terms of results.

“Four defeats on the trot is unlike us. We have struggled to win games sometimes but managed to nick a draw. We have just got to dig in.

“We had to make changes today and I know it was a nervous performance but we were very solid and limited Man City to few chances.

“But unfortunately when one came to them off off a deflection by Tal, they put it in the net.

“We had a good go but we have got to get back to getting the right results.

“Whatever we did get it on target, James saved it. If we hit a good shot it went the wrong side of the post or got blocked.”

The vital goal came after 52 minutes from City’s Joey Barton – his first goal in the Premiership this season.

It came as a result of a move started by Robbie Fowler, who has gone close in the first half, and looked impressive.

He tried to release the recalled Nicolas Anelka and his clever pass took a deflection off defender Tal Ben Haim.

Anelka raced forward and was upended by goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. However referee Uriah Rennie played the advantage and Barton made no mistake from close range.

Manager Kevin Keegan said: “It was nice move for the goal.

“It would have been interesting if Joey had not have been there because Jaaskelainen would have had to go. But I will take the goal.

“It was also a very nice move when Robbie had a snap shot in first half.

Despite having a reduced squad through injuries, City have moved up into the top half of the table, leaving Keegan content.

“It is a good position considering the players we have not got,” he said.

“We have 11 or 12 playing week-in, week-out and they are doing really well.

“I thought they were all committed and showed the resilience you need at Bolton.

“A lot of teams will come here and get beaten. They ask an awful lot of questions of you.

“By playing three up front they demand that your back four defend and you have to battle.

“We have a bit of luck the goalkeeper made one very good save while Gary Speed hit one three or four inches wide.

“We created one or two chances ourselves. It was not a classic game but a good win.”