LIVERPOOL boss Rafa Benitez is the latest to criticise Bolton's style but my only message to Wanderers' boss Sam Allardyce, is: `Take it as a compliment.'

I took the Benitez comments prior to last week's Anfield game as an obvious signal that he was concerned about the way Bolton play.

Graeme Souness and Jose Mourinho are others to have made remarks after playing Wanderers, but if managers like these are worried, then Big Sam is doing his job right at the Reebok.

There's no denying that there is a physical element to Bolton's game. The trouble is that some bosses know they'll have to match Wanderers on a physical level and that they won't get the space to play the type of game they want to play.

That's tough! What do they expect? That Bolton will come along and not play to their strengths so their sides can perform how they want and win in style?

It doesn't work like that. It's their problem as managers to find a way round Bolton's style and the more they moan about it, the more Big Sam should like it.

Bigger clubs are starting to feel rattled about playing Bolton because they can see three points drifting away from them and there's an element of embarrassment at losing to a club who have spent so little on players in comparison.

I do feel, however, that these kind of comments about Bolton's style can be aimed at referees in the hope of influencing the foul count.

Obviously I can't say that was the case at Anfield, but the foul count was lop-sided in Liverpool's favour, a point that Big Sam raised after the game.

I know from my experience in the game that while it's good to get the run of the ball, it's good to get the run of the referee as well. Arsenal, Old Trafford and Anfield were places where it was difficult to get the run of the ref, and I'm sure that Chelsea will become another.

Bolton have shown often enough that they do play football and the criticism that they only play a long ball game comes from ill-informed people who don't see them on a regular basis and not at the Reebok.

But they have been handicapped recently by the inconsistency of Jay-Jay Okocha who seems to have lost the edge off his pace since his hamstring injury.

It's a problem that they need to solve as quickly as possible as the real Okocha magic is just what they need in the run-in to their bid to play in Europe next season.

Talking about referees, one who had no option over a controversial decision was Barry Knight who sent off Newcastle's Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer for fighting each other at St James' Park.

I've been involved in the game for many years as a player and commentator and I've never seen anything like that. Yes, I've seen a few arguments settled on the training pitch but never in front on a packed stadium during a match.

The players showed a total lack of self control which said a lot for the team spirit at Newcastle. They turned a football match into a boxing match and it was disgraceful. They earn a fortune but showed no respect for the game.

What sort of example is that? They deserve all the punishment they get.

Do you agree with Gowling? Have your say.

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