WHEN Bolton boss Sam Allardyce agreed to take part in a stress test recently the results of the experiment on 'Tonight -- with Trevor McDonald' made shocking reading.
'Avoid any unnecessary anxiety at all costs' warned the medics, after the Wanderers chief's heart rate soared to a staggering 160 beats-per-minute and his blood pressure reached equally dangerous levels.
With that in mind, therefore, it was somewhat surprising to hear that Allardyce had then turned to French maverick Youri Djorkaeff as the man to save his side's Premiership bacon.
For one glance at the former Inter Milan star's CV might suggest that Bolton have signed a world class performer capable of inspiring those around him.
But, judging by the stories of dressing room unrest which heralded his recent switch from Kaiserslautern to the Reebok, he should also carry a government health warning due to the aggravation he tends to cause his managers.
Just ask Andreas Brehme, the former German international full-back and his former 'gaffer' in the Bundesliga.
For when Bolton recently registered their interest in the fading 33-year-old star, Brehme couldn't get the Frenchman out of the door quickly enough.
As far as Allardyce is concerned, though, that only makes Djorkaeff all the more appealing.
During his own days as a player, he was part of a Preston team made up of 'nomads and misfits' which achieved promotion from the old Fourth Division under John McGrath in the late 80s.
Ever since, therefore, he has never been afraid to take a calculated punt on a player -- whatever the amount of baggage he may appear to arrive with.
"I'm not worried about Youri's character," said Allardyce, as he pondered tomorrow's relegation six-pointer between Bolton and Blackburn at the Reebok.
"I always enjoy signing players who have had bad reputations elsewhere because I find them a challenge.
"I believe I am a good judge of character and, after speaking with Youri, I don't believe all of his problems were one-way traffic.
"He is a top world class player and probably the biggest signing this club has made since they bought Roger Hunt."
Wanderers' ambitious board of directors agreed to back their manager's judgement to the tune of £50,000 a week -- the money it's reportedly costing to pay the player's wages.
But that will look like loose change if he can conjure up the inspiration necessary to turn performances into points during the next three months of his short-term contract.
Allardyce is certainly of the opinion that he can provide the missing link between midfield and lone-ranger Michael Ricketts in attack. And, if he can successfully graft that Gallic flair onto the hard work and endeavour coursing through the rest of his side, then he believes he could yet have the ingredients for survival.
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