REEBOK hero Stelios Giannakopoulos has launched a passionate plea for fans to back Wanderers in their bid for FA Cup glory.

Stunned to see Saturday's fourth round clash with Arsenal attract a crowd of just 13,236, the Greek international said the lack of atmosphere made it difficult for the players to raise their game.

Echoing Sam Allardyce's bitter disappointment that the stadium was less than half full, Stelios said: "I hope they come to the next matches, because we need them."

Confirmation that reduced admission prices had failed to counter the negative impact of the match being broadcast live in the BBC's popular tea-time slot, prompted Allardyce to alert his players to the atmosphere factor in his pre-match team talk.

"We discussed it before the kick off and it was not a good picture," said Stelios, whose 84th minute winner secured Wanderers a place in the fifth round draw.

"We are used to a full stadium a full house in every game we play, especially when we play big teams like Arsenal.

"OK, we won this one and that was the most important thing, but the crowd makes a big difference.

"A full house is a full house and the atmosphere is great, the noise is better and it makes the players better."

Allardyce described it as 'an understatement' to say he was disappointed by the attendance - only the Carling Cup ties against West Ham and Leicester have attracted smaller crowds this season.

"We were playing Arsenal, the cup holders, when all's said and done," he said. "I know it was on TV and on Saturday night but it does disappoint.

"You can look at the game and say it was ordinary but part of the reason why it was ordinary was because there was no atmosphere and that made life so difficult for both sets of players."