ROVERS' bitter war of words with Bolton was still rumbling on today after Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce accused Graeme Souness of being 'unprofessional.'

Allardyce has claimed to be 'bitterly disappointed' by Souness's comments in regard to Mike Whitlow's involvement in Andy Cole's sending off at the Reebok.

And he has criticised Rovers for their overall conduct on the day after their Lancashire derby ended incontroversy.

"We have been made out to be the villains when Blackburn went beyond the rules and regulations on Saturday and paid the consequences," said the Bolton boss.

"What Graeme was shouting at Mike from the touchline was really unprofessional. There were things that happened on Saturday that shouldn't have happened from the Blackburn side."

"I am hugely and bitterly disappointed (with Souness). It does make him seen in a very bad light throughout the game."

Meanwhile, Souness is set to stick by underfire striker Andy Cole tonight.

The Rovers boss has refused to condone Cole's actions at the weekend after he saw red for stamping on Whitlow.

But, having fallen foul of referees on numerous occasions during his own playing career, he can sympathise with what his England striker is going through.

"Andy is frustrated, he's feeling that he's let everyone down and he feels that he will owe the club something.

"He's extremely angry and upset with himself. He should have known better.

"But he's a big boy and he will take his medicine.

"It's not good for Blackburn that he is going to miss three games.

"But I've been there and those of us who have know what happens.

"It's easy to say he should not have retaliated but it was hard for him to take.

"You don't think for five seconds after someone has walloped you. It's a gut reaction to a bad tackle.

"He must have good knowledge of Mike Whitlow. You look at Mike and look at what he has done in his career and how he's done it.

"You speak to people about him and he is not like the person he is accused of being."