Big Sam leaves Bolton as Charlton fail to stay afloat

In season 2006/07, Blackburn Rovers, managed by Mark Hughes, made their first excursion in Europe. Though failing to set any bushes on fire, they are now craving to have another go on the continent despite finishing 10th in the final Premiership standings.

Their entry into the much derided Intertoto Cup will explain that.

In July, Rovers will meet either Llanelli, of Wales, FK Vetra of Lithuania or a Polish side. If they go through they enter the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.

Big Sam (Allardyce) resigned as manager of Bolton who appointed Little Sam (Lee), his assistant, to take over at the Reebok Stadium for the last few matches of the season.

Bolton chairman Phil Garside was full of praise for the way Allardyce, now manager at Newcastle, brought unprecedented success at the club for the last seven years.

This is their second passport to Europe in three years and only the second time in the club's 133-year history.

During Allardyce's time at the club, Bolton's Premiership position was never lower that eighth in the last four seasons. Allardyce ended his seven-year tenure with a top half finish.

The same cannot be attributed to Charlton, whose three managerial changes to sidestep relegation was to no avail.

After a significant spell of seven years in the Premier League, many reckon the board is to blame for what has happened in a disastrous 2006/07 campaign.

You simply cannot have three coaches in one season after Alan Curbishley had stayed at the helm for 15 years.

When Curbishley sought a change after his lengthy stay, the Valiants began the season with Iain Dowie, who was sacked after just 12 matches and replaced by Les Reed. The latter stayed for 41 days before Alan Pardew (ex-West Ham) took over.

Charlton's hottest property, Darren Bent, will probably be transferred for Pardew to get more cash to bolster an ailing squad.

Bent will also be keen to remain in the top flight and, perhaps, play in Europe.

Ace McCarthy

The signing of South African Benni McCarthy must go down as one of Mark Hughes's greatest swoops in the transfer market. The striker went on to score 24 goals, leading to speculation that he may attract interest from bigger clubs.

The Rovers, involved in 20 penalties in the past league campaign (nine for and 11 against), were a hard nut to crack as the fans had high hopes the side could go all the way in one of the knockout contests.

They gave Chelsea a very hard time in the FA Cup, forcing extra-time in their 2-1 semi-final defeat at Old Trafford.

In the League Cup, they were also thwarted by Chelsea, this time in round three at Ewood Park (0-2).

Their fifth ever appearance in the UEFA Cup lasted up to the third round, going down to Bayer Leverkusen 2-3 on aggregate.

Bolton had short excursions in the domestic cups, losing away at Charlton (0-1) in the third round of the League Cup and at home to Arsenal (1-3) in round four of the FA Cup.

After their early impressive outcomes in the League Cup, Charlton succumbed to lowly Wycombe 0-1 in the quarter-finals at the Valley. In the FA Cup, the Londoners fell at the first hurdle - 0-2 away at N. Forest.