SAM ALLARDYCE has never been a great fan of West Ham United, stretching back to the time when Yossi Benayoun opted for the Hammers instead of his beloved Bolton Wanderers However, it seems that Gianfranco Zola has respect, but not a liking for Allardyce

SAM ALLARDYCE has never been a great fan of West Ham United, stretching back to the time when Yossi Benayoun opted for the Hammers instead of his beloved Bolton Wanderers

However, it seems that Gianfranco Zola has respect, but not a liking for Allardyce's style of football.

Speaking after Saturday's 1-1 draw, when Allardyce had slammed the linesman for allowing West Ham's goal when it appeared Luis Boa Morte had collected the ball in an offside position, Zola was asked about Rovers' brand of football.

"Blackburn Rovers' style is not my type of football," said the Italian, "But I respect the way they play because Sam has won some very good points for the club.

"It's not my ideal and, in football, not all the teams can play the same way. Not all the managers have the same ideas and I am a manager who likes to see differences in football. I wouldn't want to see just one way to play. That's not a reality.

"In Italy, we say: 'You can get to Rome in different ways'. The important thing is to get to Rome!"

What a wise man!