Nobby dropped for tactical reasons

Last updated : 13 January 2003 By Martyn Elliott

When Nobby’s name was left off the team sheet for Saturday many assumed that the Peruvian had been dropped following an unusually poor performance at Wolves, but Sir Bobby has been quick to re-assure the Peruvian that that was not the case.

"Nobby is a very good player, and a very important one to us, but against West Ham we decided to play with only one winger," said Sir Bobby.

"We tried to be a little more solid in midfield so I did what I had to do. We knew whoever played out wide would be OK.

"I brought LuaLua on at 2-1 down because you never know what he might do. Had it been 2-2 or had we been winning then I would have brought Nobby on to help secure it."