THE soon to be vacant position of England coach has inevitably brought up the name of Sam Allardyce as a favourite to take over from the departing Sven Goran Eriksson.

The Bolton Wanderers manager is deservedly mentioned alongside the likes of Middlesbrough boss Steve McLaren, Charlton's Alan Curbishley and Dutch coach Guus Hiddinck.

Sam has made no secret of his desire to take the England job and his fantastic record in making the Wanderers, with little money and few big names, into one of the top teams in the Premiership gives him a strong claim.

Some may point to his lack of experience in Europe, but he has already taken Bolton into the last 32 of the UEFA Cup and he is an astute tactician who would probably have few problems in adapting to the international game.

He would also have little truck with the tabloids and would be unlikely to attract the sort of headlines that have plagued Sven throughout his time at the helm, which will come to an end after this summer's World Cup campaign.

While we, and the vast majority of Wanderers fans, would be sorry to see Sam go, it would be far preferable to see him take the England job rather than that of coach at another Premiership club.

In that way no-one could accuse him of disloyalty, the majority of fans who want an English coach would get their wish and Bolton could feel proud that one of its own would be leading the international team into future World Cup and European Championship campaigns.