SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid crosses swords this afternoon with one of his best friends in football, Sam Allardyce, boss of high-flying Bolton Wanderers - and whatever happens at the Reebok Stadium they'll be having a drink together afterwards.

But for 90 minutes no quarter will be asked or given by the two managers, who started their footballing careers together as apprentices at Bolton's former ground, Burnden Park.

Reid has many fond memories of the giant defender, while Allardyce was grateful to his former team-mate for giving him a brief coaching job at Sunderland following his shock sacking by Blackpool.

Reid recalled: "We grew up together as apprentices at Bolton and I well remember when I first walked into the changing room that he was the one who stood out by a mile - he was a massive 6 ft 4ins and was built like the proverbial brick outhouse!

"He is a great lad with a great personality and he was an under-rated player because people just saw him as a kicker. But for a big man he had two good feet and that got overlooked."

Reid hails his friend as a "shrewd manager", who learnt a lot from their mutual mentor, former Bolton manager Ian Greaves, who believed in a hard working team getting the ball down and passing it around.

Reid said: "I think Blackpool were a bit hasty in getting rid of him.

"When he was out of work I had him here looking after the kids but he was always looking to be a manager again.

"I think he enjoyed his time here but deep down he always wanted to be in management again and after doing a fantastic job at Notts County he got his dream job at Bolton.

"He has been outstanding there and he has been proved right about his ambition to get back into management. He got Bolton up after having to sell some of his best players, which is a fantastic achievement."

Reid certainly expects a tough game this afternoon against a team with its tails up after their draw at Arsenal last week.

He said: "Having watched Bolton a couple of times this season I know how difficult it will be. They have beaten Liverpool and were unlucky to lose to Southampton and I know what to expect."

Reid admitted: "I am surprised how well Bolton have started, but full credit to them - their results haven't been flukes they have been worked for."

The Sunderland boss is likely to change from the 4-3-3 system he employed in last week's 2-2 home draw against Charlton Athletic and elect to return to 4-4-2, with four-goal ace striker Kevin Phillips partnering in-form Niall Quinn.

He welcomes back Danish international goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who has missed the last three Premiership games with a broken nose.

He said: "I have been disappointed with some of the goals we have conceded through individual errors - goalkeeping mistakes usually end up in the back of the net.

"It will be a massive plus if we can eliminate those and continue to make chances.

"I played 4-3-3 against Charlton because I felt it was right for that game, but everyone knows I am a 4-4-2 man and looking at the system played by Bolton it is something I will be thinking about."

Quinn, who came to Sunderland's rescue with two goals after Charlton looked to have the game won at 2-0, admitted last night: "We need a result because we've only picked up one point from our last two home games.

"We have let things slip and we need to make up for it as quickly as we can.

"But Bolton have had an outstanding start to the season and I have nothing but praise for Sam Allardyce and his team.

"If we can win this game it will be our best result of the season so far."

Allardyce is also preoccupied with trying to curb the predatory instincts of Sunderland forward Kevin Phillips.

''He is a huge threat and we have to keep him quiet, ''said the Bolton boss.

''Phillips is now a better player for Sunderland than he has ever been. He is not just a goalscorer, he contributes a lot more to the team.

''We will need to be at the top of our form defensively to make sure we get the better of him.''

Kevin Nolan admits he is living a dream at the moment with high-flying Bolton. The 19-year-old midfielder has not looked back since scoring two goals on the opening day of the season at Leicester.

He has figured in every match since then and his clever performances have marked him down as a player of real potential.

Nolan has faced the best in recent weeks and come out of those tussles with flying colours. He was not fazed last weekend at Highbury when he found himself playing against Patrick Vieira.

Bolton forced a 1-1 draw with Arsenal to stay second top. ''Coming up against Vieira was unbelievable,'' said Liverpool-born Nolan.

''Before that it was Steven Gerrard and Paul Ince. They are all great players. But what I tried to do was stop them playing and then I got on with my own game. Hopefully I'll be a household name one day.

''I can't describe how good it has been for me. Hopefully the next 31 Premiership games will be like the last seven.

''It's amazing being up at the top but being there makes me determined to keep fighting and make sure we stay there.

''If you rest on what you have done, then you are likely to get a kick in the teeth."

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