GRAEME SOUNESS claimed Bolton's players will wake up with 'sore arms' this morning after bombarding Newcastle United with a series of long throw ins and long balls yesterday.

But Souness, disappointed to see his side lose their first game under his management, did backtrack and insisted the Trotters sit fourth in the Premiership because of their direct approach.

Both of Bolton's goals, from Kevin Davies and El-Hadji Diouf, came after Newcastle failed to deal with the high ball into the box.

And Souness, who could be without Jermaine Jenas for up to three weeks, said: "I went there knowing exactly what to expect. We would have liked to play more football but we were not allowed to. They play their way and fair play to them.

"That game was a perfect game for Bolton. Balls were being launched from throw-ins, corners and everywhere. They sit fourth in the league by playing like that."

Delighted Bolton boss Sam Allardyce believes Souness should just concentrate on his own team's performance.

He said: "We are in the business of results and it doesn't matter how you get those. Whether you scrap or whether you get free-kicks or corners doesn't matter. It's at every level you find games are decided by set pieces. We make sure we get them right.

"Graeme's obviously not happy but should just concentrate on his own team's display. What matters is that Bolton were too good for Newcastle here and that's that."

Bolton, who could have been leapfrogged by Newcastle, have now moved above Middlesbrough into fourth place, while the Magpies are now five points adrift of yesterday's opponents.

Newcastle now have a home game with Dinamo Tblisi in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night before Fulham visit St James' Park on Sunday.

And after tasting defeat for the first time as Newcastle manager, Souness is now looking forward to seeing how his squad react.

"We learned that we can match teams like Bolton for effort," he said. "No one will get an easy game at the Reebok and it would not have been unfair for us to leave with a point but we will see how we respond.

"Sometimes it's about getting yourself back up from being put down. We have been put down and it could make us a better team for it. Coming back from defeats is what this game is all about and that's what makes or breaks teams.

"We are disappointed, we defended well throughout but conceded two very poor goals. They play to put us under pressure. It's not everyone's cup of tea but they are very good at the way they play and that's why they are so high in the league."

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